IL SR0795

Chicago Transit Authority cut the 31st Street bus route in 1997, creating a 3.25-mile gap in east-west bus service between Cermak Avenue (22nd Street) and 47th Street affecting approximately 300,000 residents in Bronzeville, Bridgeport, Armour Square, McKinley Park, and Little Village neighborhoods.

Little Village Lawndale High School is the only Chicago public high school without CTA bus service within 3 blocks, and these neighborhoods have high percentages of residents without personal automobiles.

Since 1997, population in these neighborhoods has increased significantly and new anchor institutions have been built, including Little Village High School, the New 31st Street Harbor, and proximity to U.S. Cellular Field, McCormick Place, and lakefront attractions that would support ridership.

CTA received $1,067,659 in Federal Job Access Reverse Commute (JARC) funds in 2009 to operate the bus route for 3 years but has not contributed matching local funds of $1,067,659 to launch the service.

Senate calls upon the Chicago Transit Authority to allocate $1,067,659 in annual operating funds to relaunch the 31st Street bus from Cicero to the Lake Front for 3 years serving the listed neighborhoods.