* Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson held a quick press conference this morning before meeting with the three tops. He was asked several questions about mass transit governance and funding…

Reporter: It’s not on your public list of priorities but, you know, transit. The governance and structural effects and potential funding. Why wasn’t that on your list of priorities and do you have a specific ask, either on the governance model or on how we raise revenue?

Johnson: Well, because it’s on the priority list of the entire state of Illinois. There’s a specific list and then there are the things that we know we have to do, right? So my team, working with the CTA, has been very clear about the importance of ensuring the region that generates 87 percent of the ridership has to receive its fair share in funding. That’s not an unusual ask. That’s been the ongoing characterization of the people of Chicago in the region since Mayor Harold Washington, right? So that has been a part of a larger, broader conversation around a host of issues. But these [his Statehouse list of asks] are very specific, modest presentations that speak to some of the technical things that we can do to sharpen our ability to deliver quality services for the people of Chicago.

Reporter: President Preckwinkle has told me she does favor a consolidation of the [transit] agencies. Are you worried that what may come out of this that you know, kind of Chicago loses its influence over regional transit?

Mayor Johnson: Well, again, my responsibility as Chief Executive of Chicago is to advocate for the best interest of the people in Chicago. That’s what I’m doing. It’s no secret, again in the CTA region, we generate 87 percent of the ridership. So the economic vibrancy of our public transit system is centered in the city of Chicago. So the city of Chicago deserves its fair share, and we continue to advocate for that as I’ve already done.

Reporter: Along the same lines, what sort of funding models do you think would be helpful for state lawmakers, at least in the short term?

Yeah, that’s a great question. Look, I think that there are a number of elements that have been discussed throughout this entire process. I’m not going to act as if there’s one particular form of funding that works best. What my intentions are is to ensure that the voice of Chicago is speaking in unison. Again… 87 percent of the ridership and the revenue was generated from the city of Chicago. And so a funding mechanism that doesn’t hurt anyone, working people, and a funding mechanism that allows for those that have means are able to contribute more to the vibrancy of our city and our state.

Reporter: Just to follow up. On every point you mentioned that [87] percent. Does that mean the city of Chicago, the residents should be the majority group funding public transportation?

Johnson: I mean, that’s a conclusion that one can draw, right? You know, look, I believe in sharing. I’m a middle child. I’m accustomed to do it, and the people of Chicago deserve their fair share. That’s all.

My hat’s off to Ben Szalinski of Capitol News Illinois for that last follow-up.

…Adding… Hmm…

* Meanwhile, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle had this to say to Isabel today about consolidating the mass transit systems…

Well, the first thing I have to say is our priority in this legislative session is transportation legislation… We believe that we have to have an integrated, comprehensive, accountable system, and that’s not where we are at the moment. So we really need support, both for changes in governance, in our system, and more resources. And RTA has estimated that the shortfall on the revenue side will be about $770 million in the coming year. So we’ve got challenges. […]

We’re interested in a system that’s more streamlined.

Please pardon any transcription errors.