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SB 1388

RTA ACT-REDUCED FARES

104th Regular Session Introduced by Graciela Guzmán and 1 co-sponsor

Requires RTA and boards to create by 12/31/2025 a free-ride program for riders at or below 138% of HHS poverty guidelines, with monthly IDPH reports and data protections.

Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments
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Bill Summary · SB 1388

SB 1388 — RTA Act — Reduced Fares (Summary)

Status: Introduced (Rule 3‑9(a) / Re‑referred to Assignments)
Introduced: Feb 19, 2025
Primary sponsor: Sen. Mike Simmons
Citation changed: 70 ILCS 3615/3.11 (Regional Transportation Authority Act)
Effective date (as introduced): July 1, 2025 (per bill text)

Note: Multiple unrelated measures in other states are also numbered SB 1388; this summary covers the Illinois measure that amends the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) Act to create reduced/free-fare services for low‑income riders.

Main purpose

Require the RTA and its Service Boards (Commuter Rail Division Board, Suburban Bus Division Board, and Chicago Transit Authority Board) to create, by December 31, 2025, a program to provide free rides to persons whose income is at or below 138% of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) poverty guidelines.

Key provisions

  • Amends Section 3.11 of the RTA Act (70 ILCS 3615/3.11) to:
    • Direct the RTA and Service Boards to establish a free-ride program for persons earning up to 138% of the HHS poverty guidelines (the poverty threshold is published periodically in the Federal Register).
    • Maintain and provide a monthly list to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) of riders receiving free or reduced fares; the list must include each rider’s name, address, and date of birth.
    • Require IDPH to report back within two weeks any discrepancies indicating that a listed rider is deceased; the Authority must then take steps to remove deceased individuals from eligibility lists.
  • Sets a statutory deadline of December 31, 2025 for program creation.
  • Bill taken effective July 1, 2025 (per the bill’s effective date clause).

Who is affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: low‑income residents (household income ≤138% of HHS poverty guidelines) who use RTA transit services in the Chicago region.
  • Implementers: RTA, CTA, Commuter Rail and Suburban Bus boards, agency staff tasked with eligibility verification, fare technology, outreach and reporting.
  • State agency: Illinois Department of Public Health (receives monthly lists and checks for deceased individuals).
  • Potentially impacted stakeholders: local budgets (transit operating revenues), human services organizations (for outreach/verification), and vendors/contractors for fare systems.

Implementation and procedural timeline

  • Program must be created by December 31, 2025.
  • Monthly reporting to IDPH and two‑week response window for mortality discrepancy checks.
  • Effective date of the statute as written: July 1, 2025.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Fiscal: Expanding free rides reduces farebox revenue; the bill does not specify funding sources. Local transit agencies may need state or federal subsidies, reallocation of existing funds, or budgetary adjustments.
  • Administrative: Agencies will need eligibility verification processes, data management, privacy safeguards for personal data transmitted to IDPH, and fare system updates to implement free-ride credentials.
  • Equity: Aims to improve mobility and access to jobs, health care, and services for very low‑income residents.
  • Privacy & compliance: Monthly transmission of names, addresses and DOBs raises data protection considerations and requires compliance with state privacy laws.

Related / next steps

  • Companion bills noted: HB 5285, HB 1069 (if applicable).
  • Stakeholders (transit agencies, human services organizations, budget offices) will need to coordinate on program design, funding, verification, and outreach before the statutory deadline.

If you want, I can:
- Draft a short checklist agencies could use to implement the program; or
- Prepare talking points on likely budgetary impacts and possible funding options.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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