HR0479 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is currently operating with a budget deficit of approximately $55 million, according to the chairperson of the Chicago Transit Board, and estimates have placed the 2005 deficit at up to $80 million; and

WHEREAS, The Chicago Transit Authority has repeatedly threatened that without adequate funding, the CTA will drastically restructure its service by cutting 54 bus routes and increasing fares; and

WHEREAS, On April 13, 2005, the Chicago Transit Board approved plans to increase fares and reduce CTA service by up to 36%, beginning July 17th, unless the General Assembly provides sufficient funds to address the 2005 CTA operating budget deficit; and

WHEREAS, The CTA is seeking in excess of $55 million in funding from the General Assembly for the 2005 CTA operating budget; and

WHEREAS, The Metropolitan Transit Authority Pension Fund, the pension system for the employees of the CTA, is underfunded and CTA officials predict the Pension Fund could be bankrupt by 2014; and

WHEREAS, All public entities have a responsibility to manage public funds with the highest level of efficiency and to eliminate waste and mismanagement; and

WHEREAS, The office of the Auditor General of Illinois is highly respected throughout Illinois for the thoroughness, fairness, and non-partisan manner in which it conducts audits of governmental entities; and

WHEREAS, The Auditor General is recognized as an authority upon whom the General Assembly can rely for audits that provide information that is beneficial during legislative deliberations about budgets, appropriations, efficiency of programs, and budget savings achievable through improved management; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that the members of the House of Representatives direct the Auditor General to immediately conduct financial, compliance, and performance audits of the CTA, including, without limitation, CTA operations, including the Brown Line Capacity Expansion Program, pensions, and capital programs; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Auditor General, in these audit reports, advise the General Assembly concerning the severe cuts in CTA service and the increased CTA fares recently approved by the Chicago Transit Board; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Auditor General address in these audit reports to what extent the CTA is adversely affected by mismanagement or inefficiencies and that, if corrected, to what extent the improvements would result in budget savings for the CTA; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Auditor General's audit reports concerning the CTA be submitted to the General Assembly and the Governor; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to the Auditor General, the Legislative Audit Commission, the Chicago Transit Board, and the Regional Transportation Authority.