Lake County bus riders could see at least a 45% jump in service under a draft plan Pace unveiled Wednesday, Oct. 21.

The suburban bus agency's ReVision plan calls for a 50% overall increase in bus service across its six-county region, including fixed routes, Pulse rapid transit lines and On Demand services. Pace officials said every county in the service area would receive at least a 45% increase, as first reported by the Chicago Tribune.

The plan would require $150 million per year in new investment in suburban bus service, according to Pace's ReVision page. That money would come through the Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA), the new agency overseeing Metra, Pace and the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) that launched Sept. 1 after 2025 reform legislation channeled gas and sales tax dollars to transit.

For Lake County residents, the sales tax piece is already in effect. The law raised the former Regional Transportation Authority sales tax by 0.25 percentage points to 1% in Lake, McHenry, Kane, DuPage and Will counties, according to WTTW. That increase is part of a $1.5 billion package Gov. JB Pritzker signed in December 2025.

Pace already operates its VanGo shuttle service from 691 N. Western Ave. in Lake Forest, connecting commuters to Metra and bus routes for $5 per day round trip.

What the plan changes

Under ReVision, buses would run more frequently, serve more locations and operate later into the evening. Some routes would change. A few would be eliminated. The plan also targets 50% growth on Pace Pulse rapid transit corridors like the Dempster Street and Cermak/22nd Street lines.

Pace Executive Director Melinda Metzger said the plan reflects shifting commute patterns. "Travel patterns have changed, and fewer people commute downtown every day," Metzger said in a statement.

Pace launched ReVision in late 2023. The agency surveyed riders during a 2024 transit funding crisis on options such as running buses every 15 to 30 minutes, seven days a week. Those options hinged on new revenue that arrived through the NITA legislation.

How to weigh in

Pace is accepting public comments through Dec. 11 and holding pop-up events and a virtual webinar to gather feedback. The closest in-person event for Lake County residents is at the Waukegan Public Library, 128 N. County St., on Monday, Nov. 16, from 3 to 6 p.m.

A virtual webinar is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 18, at 6 p.m. Residents can also take an online survey in English or Spanish at pacebus.com/revision or email [email protected].

Pace Chair John Noak, who also serves as Romeoville's mayor, said the plan aims to give more people a practical, reliable way to reach jobs, schools and health care.

After the public comment period closes, Pace will submit the final plan to NITA for approval.