SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Capitol News Illinois) — Illinois lawmakers will return to Springfield next week hoping to resolve a major unchecked box from the spring: Keep the trains in Chicago running.

As the spring legislative session concluded, lawmakers were anticipating a $771 million shortfall for Chicagoland transit agencies beginning next calendar year. But just last week, as lawmakers readied to return to the Capitol for a two-week fall session beginning Tuesday, Oct. 14, the Regional Transportation Authority released a report saying they now anticipate the 2026 deficit to be just $202 million.

While that estimate theoretically gives lawmakers more breathing room, many say they’re ready to put the issue to rest and provide transit agencies and riders certainty that service won’t be sl

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