NITA launches Rider Advisory Councils, now accepting applications

As NITA builds a unified, rider-focused transit system for the Chicago region, we are inviting riders to help shape that work directly. NITA is now accepting applications for two new volunteer advisory councils: the Riders Advisory Council and the ADA Advisory Council, both required by the NITA Act. The councils will advise the NITA Board on how policies, programs, and services affect the people who ride CTA, Metra, and Pace every day. Applications are open through October 31, 2026, and available on the NITA website:

“As we build NITA, we have an opportunity to put riders at the center of how decisions are made. Listening to their experiences is an important first step, but we also need to turn what we hear into meaningful improvements. These councils will give riders a direct voice in shaping our work and help us deliver a safer, more reliable, and more accessible transit system for everyone in our region,” said Jamie Rhee, NITA Interim Executive Director.

Why advisory councils?

Riders are the reason NITA exists, and their voices belong in the conversation as the agency makes decisions about service, safety, fares, and accessibility. These councils give NITA a standing, structured way to hear directly from the people who know the system best: the people who use it.

Riders Advisory Council

The Riders Advisory Council will advise the NITA Board on the impact of NITA policies, programs, and public transportation services on riders across the region, and will make recommendations for how to improve public transportation for everyone who depends on it.

How it works: The Council will be made up of five to 15 members from across the region, representing riders of a variety of transportation modes. Members will serve five-year terms and will meet at least quarterly at NITA headquarters, with in-person attendance expected whenever possible to help the Council meet quorum requirements under the Illinois Open Meetings Act. Membership is a volunteer role. There is no compensation, though members may request reimbursement for necessary expenses related to their duties.

What members do:

Share concerns about the quality, efficiency, safety, accessibility, and equity of public transportation services
Assess how well NITA's initiatives are protecting rider safety
Help develop and communicate recommendations for improving the quality, efficiency, and equity of transit service across the region
Serve as a resource for NITA staff, weighing in on proposed changes to services, policies, and technologies before they're implemented

ADA Advisory Council

The ADA Advisory Council will advise the NITA Board on the impact of NITA policies, programs, and public transportation services on riders with disabilities, and will make recommendations for how to improve accessibility across the region's transit system.

How it works: The Council will be made up of five to 15 members from around the region, including individual riders with disabilities and representatives from organizations that serve people with disabilities. Members will serve five-year terms and will meet monthly at NITA headquarters, with in-person attendance expected whenever possible to help the Council meet quorum requirements under the Illinois Open Meetings Act. As with the Riders Advisory Council, membership is a volunteer role, though members may request reimbursement for necessary expenses. NITA will aim to select members who represent a diverse range of disability types, so that the Council reflects the needs of people across the disability community.

What members do:

Share concerns about the quality, efficiency, safety, accessibility, and equity of mainline and paratransit services as they impact riders with disabilities
Assess how well NITA's initiatives are protecting the safety of riders with disabilities
Help develop and communicate recommendations for improving service quality, efficiency, and equity for riders with disabilities
Serve as a resource for NITA staff on proposed changes to services, policies, and technologies affecting riders with disabilities
Act as a liaison between riders with disabilities, disability advocacy organizations, and NITA

Who should apply

NITA is looking for riders from across Cook County, the collar counties, and the City of Chicago who are passionate about public transit and want to help guide its future.

This is a meaningful opportunity to help shape the future of transit in our region. We encourage riders from every corner of the region to apply and make their voices heard. Apply for the Riders Advisory Council or the ADA Advisory Council.

Applications are open through October 31, 2026. NITA will be reviewing applications with the goal of identifying the members of each council in early 2027.