David Struett

As Chicago's new transit agency overseeing CTA, Metra and Pace finalizes its 2027 budget, the Sun-Times wants to hear how you want the agency to spend its nearly $1.5 billion in extra cash.

The city's nearly 2-year-old Smart Streets pilot would grow in phases to cover the entire city in 2028, according to the ordinance advanced Friday by the Council's Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety.

The Northern Illinois Transit Authority is planning next year's budget for CTA, Metra and Pace. Many of you asked for a dedicated north-south corridor, outside downtown, to connect L lines. Other ideas were more creative.

Metra's battery-powered train could start running in 2028. The public can examine the machine, inside and out, at the LaSalle Street Station in the Loop through 6 p.m. Thursday.

Metra unveiled its draft plan to convert its 11 commuter rail lines into a world-class “regional rail” system on par with the world's best transit systems.

The agency is looking for ways to increase bus speeds and improve transfers with Metra and Pace.

Brown, Green, Orange and Pink Line trains will detour from 4 a.m. Saturday to 4 a.m. Monday for track repairs to the Wells and Lake junction.

For years, transit agencies in other major American cities have had powers to develop underused transit-owned land. The Northern Illinois Transit Authority Act catches Chicago up to its peers. But it goes further by granting power to buy and develop land for reasons unrelated to transit.

Thirteen candidates will vie for the right to deny Brandon Johnson a second term and become Chicago's 58th mayor, but only if they can survive cutthroat petition challenges that could narrow the field considerably.

When lawmakers passed the law creating the Northern Illinois Transit Authority nearly a year ago, they spoke about the new agency’s grand mission to transf