With two days left in the legislative session, lawmakers in Springfield announced a pair of plans for how to reform Chicagoland transit agencies after two years of debate, one of which would come with a spate of new taxes.

The proposals give new power to the agency that oversees the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra commuter rail and Pace Suburban Bus. The newly renamed Northern Illinois Transit Authority would have sweeping authority to set policies for the Chicagoland transit agencies, which together serve about two-thirds of the state’s residents.

Under House Bill 3438 originating in the Senate, NITA and the state would impose new taxes in northern Illinois, higher tolls on highways, fees on rideshare services and a new tax on electric vehicle charging. Senate Bill 2111 originati

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