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Season 6, Episode 100

State Rep. Evans Advocates for improved public transit in Illinois

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Marcus C. Evans Jr. Gray

 

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Rep. Marcus C. Evans Jr.

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Rep. Evans 

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Marcus C. Evans Jr., State Representative for Illinois' 33rd district and Chairman of the Labor Committee, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss public transit funding in Illinois, the need for enhanced safety measures and the power of collective action in demanding better public services.

Evans began by pointing out that Illinois has historically underfunded public transit, which has led to a system that fails to meet the needs of its users. He emphasized that investing in transit is not just about convenience but creating a safer, more reliable and more affordable system for working-class communities. Evans also discussed the need for dedicated transit police and security measures to protect passengers and workers, citing incidents of attacks on transit employees as evidence of the current system's shortcomings.

He continued by discussing public transit funding and the need for a new perspective on the reasons behind it. Rather than focusing solely on costs, Evans urged listeners to consider the long-term benefits of investing in quality infrastructure. He said that adequately funding transit now could lead to reduced expenses and improved services in the future. Evans also pointed out that the money invested in transit benefits workers and communities, as it goes toward better wages for transit employees and improved service for riders.

Finally, Evans called for the working class to recognize their collective power in demanding better public transit services. He encouraged them to voice their concerns and expectations for public transit, emphasizing that change is possible when people unite around common goals. Evans emphasized the importance of not settling for mediocrity in public services, urging constituents to demand a transit system that is safe, reliable and accessible for all community members.

Listen to the full episode of America's Work Force Union Podcast to hear more about Rep. Evans' vision for improved public transit in Illinois.

America’s Work Force is the only daily labor podcast in the US and has been on the air since 1993, supplying listeners with useful, relevant input into their daily lives through fact-finding features, in-depth interviews, informative news segments and practical consumer reports. America’s Work Force is committed to providing an accessible venue in which America's workers and their families can hear discussion on important, relevant topics such as employment, healthcare, legislative action, labor-management relations, corporate practices, finances, local and national politics, consumer reports and labor issues.

America’s Work Force Union Podcast is brought to you in part by our sponsors: AFL-CIO, American Federation of Government Employees, American Federation of Musicians Local 4, Alliance for American Manufacturing, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes-IBT, Boyd Watterson, Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council, Communication Workers of America, Mechanical Insulators Labor Management Cooperative Trust, International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Local 50, International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Crafts, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 6, Ironworkers Great Lakes District Council, Melwood, The Labor Citizen newspaper, Laborers International Union of North America, The National Labor Office of Blue Cross and Blue Shield, North Coast Area Labor Federation, Ohio Federation of Teachers, United Labor Agency, United Steelworkers.

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