Transit Updates from Senator Mike Simmons
Dear Neighbor,
As I continue to push for the passage for transit funding and reform via House Bill 3438 during the October Veto Session (14th-16th and 28th-30th), I wanted to share a few impactful stories about how people in our community rely on transit every day.
Thank you to everyone who shared their direct stories with me and my office, and a huge shout out to my summer staffer, Dohyeon, who led this project from concept to completion.
My office and I have received several thousand emails, phone calls, and letters advocating for a transit system that is fully funded, reliable, accessible, safe, and environmentally responsible. I can assure you that I will continue to be a fierce advocate to see HB3438 over the finish line.
As you read this e-blast, please be sure to review the last section, highlighting the Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce’s Transit Impact Survey. I am incredibly grateful for the hard work and time it took to survey over 450 small businesses and residents in the Ravenswood community, which directly reports on the impact transit has on the small businesses that drive our 7th District economy. Small businesses, many of which are already facing a host of economic pressures, expressed deep concern about the ripple effects of reduced transit service. Transit impacts everyone.
As always, I encourage you to reach out to my office if you have any questions, concerns, or ideas. You can reach my office at
Sincerely,
Mike Simmons
State Senator | 7th District
7th District Transit Story #1: Carrie Lee
Carrie’s transit story is one that highlights that public transit is about more than just getting folks from point A to B. There is a cultural aspect of transit that brings people together and challenges all of us to interact with folks we do not see everyday. When I toured the CTA North Park Terminal back in May with CTA President Nora Leerhsen, she made a similar point about transit: It brings people together as a “great equalizer.” As we push to fund and reform transit to boost efficiency and safety aboard buses and trains, it is important to remember how transit also affects us personally and socially.
7th District Transit Story #2: Joe
Joe’s transit story reminds us how valuable public transit is for Chicago students and youth overall. Like Joe, accessible public transit allows them to get to work - and reductions in service jeopardize their ability to get to work. For Joe, as a teenager, getting a Ventra card felt like getting a key to the city. Access to public transit broadens all horizons - it creates access to education, jobs, cultural institutions, and connections between communities.
Transit Story #3: Anuj and Apna Ghar
Finally, Anuj and Apna Ghar demonstrate how transit is crucial for survivors of domestic violence and anyone seeking safety and social services. We never know what other riders might be going through, and what ray of hope awaits them at their destination. It is crucially important that we preserve access and frequent servie to public transit. It serves every person, every walk of life, and every experience.
Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce Small Business Transit Survey
Caption: The CTA Brown Line runs north through Ravenswood in Chicago.
What Business Owners Are Saying
“I located my business where I did because of its adjacency to public transportation. It provides a service that is essential to many of my customers.”
“We serve a base of constituents from all over the city and nearby suburbs, all of whom rely heavily on public transportation which is already woefully insufficient to meet Chicagoan’ and neighbors’ needs. These cuts would be disastrous for our base.”
“We’re a destination shop with customers who come from all over the city rather than primarily serving residents of one neighborhood. Drastically cutting service will make it much harder for our customers and employees to get to us, and I fear will harm sales right at the time when our costs have increased due to tariffs. Having longer commute times will also mean that we’ll either need to reduce our open hours or have less time with our families. Please don’t cut service!”
The Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce (GRCC) recently surveyed more than 50 local business owners and over 400 residents to better understand community concerns around proposed transit cuts. Results show overwhelming opposition: the vast majority view cuts to public transit as an existential threat to neighborhood vitality, community relationships, and local commerce. More than 90% of residents reported that they could not live comfortably in Chicago without reliable public transportation, with nearly half of respondents writing personal impact statements underscoring how essential it is in their daily life.
Small businesses, many of which are already facing economic pressures, expressed deep concern about the ripple effects of reduced transit service. Nearly half of surveyed business owners estimate that a majority of their customers rely on public transportation to reach their storefronts. They warn that disruptions to employee and customer commutes could severely undermine sales and operations. These respondents represent only a small fraction of Chicago voters, but their sentiments are shared and echoed in conversations all around the city. Learn more about survey results on the GRCC's website.
Thank you for taking the time to read my newsletter! If you ever want to reach out to our office, please call us at 773-769-1717, and we will respond promptly. We can also be reached at
