Democratic state Rep. Marcus C. Evans Jr. (D-Chicago) is pushing a bill that would mean free fares on public transportation for veterans with disabilities and for some students on days when classes are held.
By amending the Downstate Public Transportation Act, the Metropolitan Transit Authority Act, the Local Mass Transit District Act, and the Regional Transportation Authority Act, House Bill 1591 would also reduce fares for other veterans. The bill has been referred to the House Rules Committee and if passed is slated to go into effect immediately.
A member of the Illinois House since 2012, Evans serves as the Vice-Chairman of the Transportation: Regulations, Roads Committee and also sits on the Vehicles and Safety Committee. In the past, he has proved instrumental in the passage of such legislation as the Public Transit Toll Exemption bill, which paved the way for all vehicles owned or operated by a mass transit district created under a provision of the Mass Transit District Act to have free access to any state toll highway by amending the Toll Highway Act.