Regional Transportation Authority Career Opportunities

The RTA's mission, as stated by the Illinois General Assembly and adopted by the voters of our region, is to insure financially sound, comprehensive and coordinated public transportation for northeastern Illinois.

The RTA was created in 1974 upon approval of a referendum in the northeastern Illinois region of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will counties. The RTA is a special purpose unit of local government and a municipal corporation of the State of Illinois. Initially, the RTA provided financial assistance to the then-existing public transit operators. The RTA's role subsequently expanded to include the acquisition and operation of public transportation carriers as well as contracting to provide service.

In 1983, the RTA Act was amended to make substantial changes in the RTA's organization, funding and operations. The amended Act placed all operating and fare responsibilities in three "Service Boards" (the Chicago Transit Authority, or CTA, Metra and Pace) and gave the RTA increased oversight powers concerning budgets and a responsibility to monitor the financial condition of the Service Boards. Additionally, the RTA was given responsibility for issues requiring a regional perspective, including the coordination of transportation planning activities, market development, and insuring compliance with federal and state guidelines. To guide the RTA's financial oversight, the Act requires the RTA Board of Directors to approve an Annual Budget and Two-Year Financial Plan. The Act further requires that half of the operating expenses of the entire RTA system must be covered by farebox revenue. Additionally, the RTA Board of Directors is required annually to review and approve a Five-Year Capital Plan, which is a blueprint of the capital activities to be funded by the RTA and executed by the CTA, Metra and Pace.

Click here for the history of the early RTA by Joseph A. Tecson.