Expect a progressive tax, higher education spending and a Bears stadium to be high on the agenda for Illinois state lawmakers.

The Illinois Senate attempted to pass a “rescue package” for Chicago area mass transit that would punish suburban homeowners with a new real estate transfer tax. State leaders must instead focus on reforms to boost housing and economic growth.

Chicago transit ridership is barely 60% of pre-COVID levels while the budget is 30% higher, now they face a $577 million budget shortfall.