Chicago, Ill. – The Northern Illinois Transit Authority announced a trio of leadership and policy actions during its first board meeting of the year on September 10, 2026. Jamie Rhee, previously the agency’s aviation chief, was appointed interim executive director, and Tom Kotarac was named chairman of the board. At the same meeting, NITA approved an expansion of its reduced‑fare program for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients to cover rides on both the Chicago Transit Authority and Pace Suburban Bus Service.
Rhee’s appointment follows his tenure overseeing aviation operations within NITA. The board’s decision to install him as interim director provides continuity while a permanent search proceeds. Kotarac, who will now chair the board, joins Rhee in guiding the authority’s strategic direction.
The fare‑reduction initiative, originally limited to NITA‑operated services, now extends the discount to CTA and Pace routes. The change allows eligible SNAP recipients to travel across the broader Chicago metropolitan area at reduced cost, aligning NITA’s low‑income mobility efforts with regional transit providers. The authority indicated that the expansion reflects a commitment to greater accessibility for riders who rely on federal nutrition assistance.
Board members noted that the combined leadership changes and program broadened during the session represent a coordinated effort to address both internal governance and external service delivery. The decisions were made without reference to additional policy adjustments or budgetary revisions in the public record of the meeting.
NITA’s actions come as part of its annual agenda, setting the tone for the agency’s operations through the remainder of 2026. The authority will continue to monitor the impact of the expanded fare program and the performance of its interim leadership team.
The board’s actions were formally recorded in the minutes of the September 10 meeting, which were made available to the public following standard procedures.