1. The Campaign To Build Illinois Transit Working for World-Class Public Transit in Illinois

2. What is CBIT? The Campaign to Build Illinois Transit (CBIT) is a statewide coalition working to heighten awareness of public transit issues and concerns, and build support for policies that create more convenient, safe, affordable, and accessible public transportation.

3. Components of a winning campaign Coalition building and leadership development Strategic targeting and messaging Development of visionary legislative agenda

4. Coalition building and leadership development Transit summits/hearings held around the state to build the coalition Roundtables on TEA-21 to educate and mobilize Transit Vote Development of leaders through Executive Committee, legislative and media advocacy

5. Target organizations for coalition building Disability organizations Job Training/welfare to work advocates Business leaders Senior citizen clubs/groups Labor unions Health Care Providers Students Community colleges/universities League/civic groups Transit agencies Local municipalities Churches/Religious Organizations Social service providers Environmental organizations Riders People of Color

6. Raising Funds/Resources Foundation Categories: Organizing/Coalition Building Economic Development/ Environment Civic Participation/ Empowerment  Partnership with ATU: host monthly meetings, research, lobbying expertise, provide volunteers and access for voter registration  In-kind contributions from coalition partners: meeting space, refreshments, flyers, recruitment of participants

7. Strategic targeting and messaging Targeting of events and press hits in districts of key decision makers Building relationships with local leaders to place LTEs and meet with elected officials Development of “Let’s Get Moving” to highlight successes and move transit agenda

8. Development of visionary legislative agenda HB 2636: Build Illinois Transit- provides a comprehensive state plan for funding public transit HB 2587: Transit Ridership and Economic Development (TRED)- links transit to job access and phases in funding Transit/location efficiency- links economic development incentives to access to affordable housing and transit

9. Campaign history- 2000-2003 2000-2001 Transit Summits in Waukegan,Joliet, Rock Island, Aurora, Peoria, Rockford, Jacksonville, Bloomington Legislative hearings in Chicago, Schaumburg and Belleville Transit Vote 2000 2002-2003 Roundtables on TEA-21 advocacy Transit Vote 2002 Illinois House and Senate Resolutions in support of increased transit funding under TEA-3 Build Illinois Transit passed twice out of Illinois House Transportation Committee “Let’s Get Moving” report Regional Congress II: The Numbers Game- TEA-3 advocacy event

10. Where do we go from here? 2003-2004 Priorities: Continued education/advocacy on TEA-3 Local leader training on transit project advocacy Advocate for state/federal funding for TRED Development of TRED Phase II Development of Location Efficiency legislation Transit Vote 2004

11. For more information Amanda J. Eichelkraut Citizen Action/Illinois 28 E Jackson Blvd. Suite 605 Chicago, IL 60604 312.427.2114 ext. 8 amanda@citizenaction-il.org