Limits On Free Rides For Seniors Passes Ill. House
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Illinois lawmakers are taking steps to limit free mass transit services for the elderly.
The Illinois House voted 95-15 on Sunday to limit the free service to poor senior citizens. Only people enrolled in the Circuit Breaker aid program would qualify for free rides.
The measure now goes to the Senate, which has voted in the past to restrict the service.
The free rides were a last-minute initiative by Gov. Rod Blagojevich before he was removed from office. Anyone over 65 can take advantage of the offer, regardless of their income.
State officials and local transit agencies say the free rides cost tens of millions of dollars each year during a period of budget and service cuts.
