An unparochial person in Illinois (transit)

Chicago Transit Authority train
Originally uploaded by jayjen6978

(Flickr photo by javien6978.)

Lawrence Necheles, of Pontiac, writes a letter to the editor, "Chicago transit problems will affect entire state," in the Bloomington Pantagraph:

As a Central Illinois resident, I am appalled by negative, insular statements regarding adequate Chicago transit funding. It is not a matter of Chicago versus Downstate. Illinois' population is concentrated in the six counties surrounding Chicago. Revenue and tax money should efficiently and effectively flow to the greatest number of people who reside and utilize mass transit.

It's foolish to build a subway between Fairbury and El Paso. Central Illinois population is not dense enough to justify more money for lightly traveled rural blacktops. The best use of resources for the best social and transportation outcome demands that it flow to Chicago. Downstate should be concerned about funding Chicago transit. If a working grandmother supporting three grandkids can't afford her bus ride, the entire state loses.

Commuter rail is not just about Cook County lawyers getting to work from Glencoe; it's about transportation for a viable metropolitan area. What about school kids taking public transit? We are all connected economically. The ripple effect of an inadequately funded Chicago transit system would be disastrous for Illinois.

Central Illinois is a short car ride from Metra's Heritage Corridor line at Joliet. Dwight is nearly a commuter exurb of Chicago. Extending Metra to the Twin Cites for regular commuting is foreseeable because Amtrak is inadequate. Many folks derive our livelihoods by commuting daily to that great economic engine of Chicago and that money cascades south of I-80.

Illinois competes with the South, West and globally for its economic survival. Chicago must not be strangled by a transportation issue. Transportation made Illinois an economic powerhouse - from the I&M Canal to the Illinois Central Railroad to the interstates to O'Hare and, lately, intermodal trucking.Good transportation policy needs to continue because it's not just ``Chicago's problem.'' Good transportation serves the best interests of all Illinois.

Of course, the five commenters on the article, i.e., "I don't give a rat's rearend about Chicago's public transit" aren't similarly inclined, and more oriented to "downstate" concerns. See "Downstate transit plans stuck in neutral with state's inaction" also from the Pantagraph.