Bill
SB 3419
SB 3419 requires disability representation on major Chicago-area transit boards, creates ADA Advisory Committees, and strengthens ADA paratransit planning, funding, and coordinatio
SB 3419 (104th General Assembly) - TRANSIT-DISABILITY
Illinois – Introduced Feb 4, 2026
Overview
SB 3419 proposes amendments to several transportation and transit-related acts to enhance disability representation and ADA compliance across major transit authorities serving the Chicago metropolitan region. The bill emphasizes disability-inclusive governance, ADA advisory structures, and ADA paratransit planning and funding. It affects the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Transit, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), and related boards (Northern Illinois Transit Authority, Suburban Bus Board, and Commuter Rail Board), as well as the ADA paratransit planning framework.
Purpose and intent
- Strengthen representation of individuals with disabilities in transit governance and oversight.
- Ensure disability-focused advocacy experience is required or prioritized for appointed committee/board members.
- Create and formalize ADA Advisory Committees across CTA, Suburban Bus Board, and Commuter Rail Board to advise on accessibility and ADA compliance.
- Clarify or introduce disability-specific appointment criteria on boards, including living in service areas and using services.
Key provisions and changes
1) Interagency Coordinating Committee on Transit Innovation, Integration, and Reform Act
- Adds that the member on the Committee representing individuals with disabilities must be an actual person with a disability or someone with demonstrated advocacy experience for disability accessibility and transportation needs.
- The Committee membership framework remains, but this strengthens disability expertise as a specified requirement.
2) Metropolitan Transit Authority Act (CTA)
- Requires that one member of the CTA Board be a person with a disability who lives in the CTA service area and uses CTA services.
- Establishes an ADA Advisory Committee for the CTA to advise on accessibility and ADA compliance for fixed-route and paratransit services.
- The ADA Advisory Committee must meet quarterly and issue quarterly accessibility reports to the Authority and annual reports to NI-Transit Authority as part of accountability.
3) Regional Transportation Authority Act (RTA)
- Northern Illinois Transit Authority Director: one director on the NI T.A. Board must be a person with a disability with transportation expertise, appointed with the advice of a disability advocacy organization serving the Chicago metropolitan region.
- Suburban Bus Board: adds the Commissioner of the City of Chicago Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities as a director (ex officio) rather than appointment by the Chicago Mayor.
- Commuter Rail Board: includes a person with a disability who uses Commuter Rail services, appointed with advice from a disability advocacy organization serving the region.
- ADA Advisory Committees: CTA, Suburban Bus Board, and Commuter Rail Board must each establish and maintain an ADA Advisory Committee, with quarterly and annual accessibility reports to the appropriate authorities.
4) ADA Paratransit Planning, Funding, and Administration (existing framework updated)
- Paratransit services (ADA) are defined and governed with increased emphasis on regional coordination among the CTA, Suburban Bus Board, and Authority.
- Plan development and approval timelines are specified, including national ADA requirements and FTA approval processes.
- Plans must maintain ADA paratransit levels, outline transfers of paratransit services/assets, establish consistent regional scheduling, open procurement for private carrier services, set fares, establish performance standards, and coordinate with state and federal agencies for funding (including Medicaid).
- Creates the potential for one or more ADA advisory boards to reflect disability diversity and to provide ongoing input into paratransit operations.
- Funding and intergovernmental agreements are required to support paratransit operations and plan updates, with annual and revision procedures for FTA submittals.
Timeline and governance notes
- Initial board appointments targeted for September 1, 2026.
- Several boards’ governance structures (CTA, Suburban Bus Board, Commuter Rail Board, NI Transit Authority) are adjusted to include disability representation and ADA advisory mechanisms.
- ADA Advisory Committees must operate with regular meetings and reporting.
Impacted entities and stakeholders
- CTA, Suburban Bus Board, Commuter Rail Board, Regional Transportation Authority, Northern Illinois Transit Authority.
- Disability advocacy organizations and individuals with disabilities (as officials/board members or advisory participants).
- Riders of fixed-route and paratransit services in the Chicago metropolitan region.
- State and local agencies involved in transit funding, planning, and procurement (e.g., Illinois DOT, Department of Public Aid, Medicaid programs).
Procedural notes
- Board appointments and chair confirmations involve traditional legislative/secretarial processes, with Senate confirmation requirements continuing through 2030 for certain chairs.
- ADA Advisory Committees are required to publish quarterly and annual accessibility reports.
In summary, SB 3419 aims to embed disability expertise and user perspectives into transit governance and ADA compliance, particularly within CTA, Suburban Bus, and Commuter Rail services, while strengthening the planning, funding, and accountability framework for ADA paratransit across the region.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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