"We know this cliff is coming," said state Sen. Ram Villivalam, head of the state Senate transportation committee. "What structural reforms are we looking at implementing? What innovation can we pursue?"
A panel that includes public finance professionals is tasked with finding fiscal and operational solutions for the transit systems, which face a fiscal cliff.
The Regional Transportation Authority, Chicago Transit Authority and many state universities have drawn positive rating actions as the state's ratings improved.
The Chicago-area transit service boards expect a boost from strong sales tax revenue and discretionary grant funding from the federal infrastructure package.
Muni rout pauses as primary focus returns bondbuyer.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from bondbuyer.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.