Illinois lawmakers have passed a significant $1.5 billion funding package designed to bolster public transit services across the state, including support for the CTA, Metra, and Pace. This funding initiative comes as lawmakers scramble to address a $200 million shortfall and prevent severe service cuts. Notably, the package avoided imposing new statewide taxes, although several tax proposals targeting billionaires and entertainment venues were debated. Governor JB Pritzker expressed skepticism about some revenue-generating ideas and referred to certain funding plans as non-starters. Despite controversies surrounding transit financing and potential tax increases, the passage of this funding measure marks a crucial step towards stabilizing transit services in Illinois, which experts warn are nearing a fiscal crisis.