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Illinois Budget Standoff Threatens Downstate Mass Transit

NPR Illinois | 91.9 UIS | By Brian Mackey

Published October 24, 2016 at 6:02 PM CDT

Several downstate mass transit districts say they are on the verge of shutdown — or have already shut down.

Thousands of people rely on the services to get to medical appointments, the grocery store, or even work. And in turn the services rely on the state of Illinois for their funding.

Statehouse reporter Doug Finke has been covering the issue. He writes for The State Journal-Register in Springfield and other Gatehouse newspapers, and spoke with Brian Mackey.

Brian Mackey covers state government for NPR Illinois. You can follow his reporting on Twitter and Facebook. A version of this story was first broadcast on Illinois Edition on October 24, 2016.