Chicago-area transit riders deserve safe, reliable service. But the Regional Transportation Authority board might soon ask the wrong people to pay for it.

A 2024 study showed handing people money they hadn’t worked for hurt them, but Illinois lawmakers are putting $827,272 in tax dollars behind the idea again.

Chicago-area sales taxes were already No. 2 in the U.S., but new taxing authority handed to the Regional Transportation Authority will raise them to No. 1.

Cook County leaders announced the second installment of property tax bills will be mailed by Nov. 14 with a Dec. 15 due date.

More than half of Illinois voters and one-third of Chicago voters said high taxes were their No. 1 concern. Despite that, Springfield and Chicago politicians both are hiking taxes again to spend more.