January 15, 2025

Kirk Dillard – Chairman – Regional Transportation Authority

City Club event description:

Join Kirk Dillard, Chairman of the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), as he shares the agency’s vision for a fully funded, seamless, and accountable transit system that serves all riders with more frequent and reliable service. As the Illinois General Assembly prepares for a busy session, including debates on addressing transit’s looming “fiscal cliff,” Dillard, a former State Senator, will discuss strategies to achieve the system our region deserves—and the consequences of inaction. Don’t miss this important conversation about the path forward for Chicago’s transit system.

Speaker
Kirk Dillard
Kirk Dillard has served as the chairman of the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) Board of Directors since June 2014. Chairman Dillard is a lifelong resident of the region and has been a rider of public transportation for more than 50 years, riding CTA buses and trains since early childhood, and now is a regular rider of Metra. Chairman Dillard most recently oversaw the development and adoption of Transit is the Answer, the regional transit strategic plan that puts forward an Action and Advocacy Agenda that offers improvements to the system and options to ensure sustainable funding. Dillard also played an important role in regional advocacy efforts that culminated with the 2019 passage of Rebuild Illinois, the largest capital bill in Illinois history.

City Club video

Dillard served as a Republican senator from Chicago’s western suburbs in the Illinois State Senate for nearly 20 years. Prior to serving as senator, he served with distinction as Chief of Staff to former Governor Jim Edgar and as Legislative Director to former Governor James Thompson. He is a partner at Troutman Pepper Locke law firm.