2003-29RESOLUTION NO. 2003-29
A RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING MEMBERS OF THE ILLINOIS GENERAL
ASSEMBLY TO REJECT THE REPORTED LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVE TO
RECONFIGURE THE REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY BOARD
WHEREAS, the Chicagoland metropolitan region faces a growing traffic congestion
crisis; and
WHEREAS, traffic congestion damages air quality, impedes commerce, increases
energy consumption, diminishes the natural and human environment, and threatens quality of life
throughout the metropolitan area; and
WHEREAS, strategic expansion and improvements to the suburban transit system are
essential components of any realistic, comprehensive plan to improve regional congestion
conditions; and
WHEREAS, it has been reported in the press that a legislative initiative may be under
consideration by the General Assembly to reconfigure the Regional Transportation Authority
board, to the likely benefit of Chicago and significant detriment of the suburbs; and
WHEREAS, specifically, it has been reported that an effort is underway to convince
state lawmakers to approve a plan by which the Cook County Board President, rather than
suburban Cook County Commissioners, would appoint four members to the 13- member RTA
Board; and
WHEREAS, under the current state statute, the Mayor of Chicago makes five
appointments to the RTA board, DuPage County makes one appointment, two members are
appointed jointly by Lake, Kane, McHenry and Will counties and the RTA board selects an
outside Chairman, who currently is from the suburbs; and
WHEREAS, because nine votes are needed to pass RTA construction plans and budgets,
the current alignment of eight suburban members and five Chicago appointees precludes either a
single political party or a single geographic block from making decisions without
accommodating the others' interests; and
WHEREAS, the existing geographic and political balance is threatened by the reported
proposal, which would effectively consolidate control of the RTA Board in nine members whose
likely priority would be Chicago city- oriented transit needs; and
WHEREAS, the proposed change to the RTA Board potentially threatens billions of
dollars in funding for suburban transportation projects, including train systems and bus services
in the collar counties; and
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WHEREAS, the Village of Buffalo Grove believes that the existing balance on the RTA
Board helps to maintain a proper, comprehensive perspective for planning, management and
improvement of the entire metropolitan region's transportation system.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF
TRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE OF BUFFALO GROVE, COOK AND LAKE
COUNTIES, ILLINOIS, that our representatives in the Illinois General Assembly are hereby
urged to reject the current initiative to reconfigure the RTA Board and to take any steps
necessary to ensure that the existing balance between suburban and city interests is maintained
on the RTA Board.
AYES: 6 — Braiman, Glover, Berman, Johnson, Kahn, Trilling
NAYES: 0 -None
ABSENT: 0 -None
PASSED: May 5, 2003 APPROVED: May 5, 2003
Village erk
illage President
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