November 07, 2011
The Civic Federation supports the FY2012 proposed Chicago Transit Authority budget of approximately $1.2 billion because it ends the past practice of using capital funds to close operating gaps and maintains current fare and service levels. This budget proposes to substantially curb expenditure growth by addressing expensive labor practices thereby setting a direction for structurally balanced budgets in the future.
However, the FY2012 budget depends on the cooperation of labor unions and arbitrators to enact work rule changes worth $160 million in annualized savings. If these changes are not implemented in 2012, the CTA will need to significantly cut service or raise revenues to close the budget gap.