Platform on Disability Issues Related to Transit Eugenics

 As a concerned citizen I have marched around City Hall and in the Disability Pride Parade, rallied with people with disabilities at press conferences, on the federal plaza and at the Thompson Center, I stand firm in solidarity with paratransit riders. I am outraged that this state has voted $ 100 million in funding for PACE to operate while requiring them to collect a 10% cost recovery from people who have the least disposable income of any other population. A cost based on the rate charged to them by transit carriers and only charged to monthly pass users.   Despite their outcry, paratransit riders have informed me that with no public hearing or public notice posted or mailed to them in advance, they have just been delivered the first blow in the winter storm of transit eugenics—a 100% increase in their monthly ADA pass—from $75 to $150.

 No, this is not a misprint.  It is a misappropriation of legislative authority and transit service provision. It’s state-condoned transit eugenics.  It’s not only unfair. It’s mean-spirited. 

 Transit eugenics. What is transit eugenics? Ask any paratransit rider who has dissected the issues of “able-bodied first politics,” of transit legislation that places them within the highest transportation fares though they have the lowest incomes.

 Ask any southsider who rides paratransit, any one of the 80% of riders of paratransit riders who live in my district and the adjacent district who are Black.  Ask any Latino on the southwest side in Little Village, and the far southeast side. Ask any westside paratransit rider.  Look at them lined up at Stroger Hospital.  Ask any suburban rider whose transportation stops running at 6 p.m. or does not run at all certain days.

 Ask Sharon Lamp, the inventor of the word, and Dr. Maat, the definer of the word. Ask any nursing home resident who is expected to sustain herself or himself on $30 a month after the nursing home has deducted its share. With only $30, how can anyone ever pay for paratransit transportation at $ 2.25 a trip or $ 150 a month for a monthly pass, haircare, haircuts, cosmetics and other incidentals, and recreation or food if one wants to eat something other than the institution’s meals once in awhile?

 And why is a person who can live in the community (with the right resources) living in a nursing home when we have a “money follows the person law,” which could cover their paratransit fare and affordable housing?  But housing is another story, another platform issue. 

 Let’s go back to transportation, specifically transit eugenics.  Who does it affect?  What do we know about paratransit? This is what we know:

• Fixed route riders with disabilities can ride for half fare and if seniors, they will be getting free rides after March 17
• 71% of the paratransit riders do not own cars and are transit-dependent

• 80% of the riders live on the southside and are African American 
• The proposed zone system is biased in favor of the riders who live and work in the wealthiest communities in Chicago
• The suburban routes may shut down on Saturday as early as 6 p.m. and there is no Sunday service for persons to attend worship services
• PACE is running a Chicago service from a suburban office without allowing them any representation on the PACE board

“Transit eugenics--in Chicago metropolitan area and NE IL, the act of creating state-sponsored discrimination against protected classes by segregating the riders into zones that favor transfers and longer rides for people with disabilities, especially African Americans, Latinos, suburban riders, southside riders, northsiders, and anyone who does not live in the central business district, Gold Coast, Lincoln Park, Bronzeville, South Loop, West Loop, or Hyde Park. 

A philosophy, though not a science, that promotes mental sterilization of transit-dependent riders by making them think they have to stay at home or forcing them to pay exorbitant or unfair costs for transportation that was created by the federal government for their benefit, not the benefit of transit providers and carriers.

A strategy to save transit resources by relying on selective inbreeding of riders who are either of a higher income or community status; or thrive on fear, ignorance of their civil and human rights, and will abandon any attempt to seek justice or file grievances in the legal or administrative appeal system normally at the slightest resistance. This inbreeding produces a steady drone of mentally castrated riders and drivers who fail to realize that their power lies in boycotting unsavory ventures and entities, and taking pen and ballot sheet in hand at the polling places to vote out those who created or failed to act against the unjust policy that enslaves them in the first place.”

 Although I honor the separation of Church and State, I recognize that there is a governing body higher than the Congress which passes the laws we live by. This body has power and dominion over oppressive policies that would crush your hope and weaken faith in your ability to live free of Doomsday threats that would restrict your movement and independence.  There is hope if you would access it. I am a living testament to the value of believing in yourself, and letting hope drive your purpose, so that you never give up.  I want every paratransit rider and person with a disability, and anyone who votes or volunteers for me to know that your voice will be heard from the streets of Illinois to the halls of Congress. This is not a campaign promise. This is a mandate that I give to myself as your colleague and the elected choice of the First Congressional District.

 Come Alive Feb 5. PUNCH 10! Together we can end transit eugenics.

 I am Bill “Dock” Walls, in solidarity with you to end transit eugenics. Help has arrived.