Written by Trotter Staff Monday, 10 January 2011 19:50
SPRINGFIELD, IL – Illinois State Senator Donne E. Trotter (D-Chicago) advanced a measure earlier tonight that will limit the state’s free rides for seniors program – a service that has cost the state millions of dollars since it was started less than three years ago.
In January 2008, then-governor Rod Blagojevich created the Seniors Ride Free program to provide all seniors, regardless of income, the benefit of riding the state’s five mass transit systems without being charged. According to the RTA, the program has placed significant strains on the region’s transit operating budgets, where revenues are down 20 percent due to the economic downturn. "Putting in place these new limitations will save the state millions of dollars while ensuring that our state’s most dependant seniors will still be able to benefit from the program," Trotter said. "Under this new plan, the state will see a total savings of anywhere from $37 million to $90 million a year." Senate Bill 3778 limits the free rides to only those seniors (65 years or older) who meet the income eligibility limitations set forth under the Circuit Breaker program. Seniors that do not qualify will remain eligible for the 50 percent subsidy offered prior to the change in 2008. About 426,500 seniors are currently registered under the program, which is more than double the 142,000 seniors who previously had a Reduced Fare card that allowed them to ride mass transit at a 50 percent discount. With the projected doubling of the region’s senior population between 2009 and 2030, the revenue losses from the program will only grow larger over time. "Almost 60 percent of the seniors currently riding for free will still be eligible to ride without charge under the new eligibility requirements. The remaining seniors would still be able to ride for the discounted price," Trotter added.
Illinois State Senator Donne E. Trotter pushes for limits on free rides program to low-income seniors to save the state millions of dollars
Senator Trotter Menu
17th District
Majority Caucus Chair
Years served: 1988 - 1993 (House); 1993 - Present (Senate)
Committee assignments: Committee of the Whole; Appropriations I (Chairperson); Appropriations II; Pensions and Investments; Energy; Deficit Reduction (Co-Chairperson); Subcommittee on Pension Reform.
Biography: Senior hospital administrator; born Jan. 30, 1950, in Cairo; B.A., Chicago State University; M.J., Loyola University School of Law; married (wife, Rose), has four children.