Can I get help affording a car?

Some community action agencies and programs like Ways to Work, Wheels to Work, or Good News Garage offer low-interest loans or donated vehicles to working parents. Eligibility typically requires employment or training and income under a threshold. Waitlists can be long.

What is Medicaid NEMT?

Non-Emergency Medical Transportation — Medicaid must cover rides to and from covered medical appointments at no cost. Call the transportation number on the back of your Medicaid card to schedule. Rides must be arranged in advance (usually 2–3 business days).

Are there reduced-fare transit options?

Most transit agencies offer reduced fares for seniors, disabled riders, and Medicaid enrollees. TANF and some workforce programs include transit passes. Some employers subsidize transit through pre-tax benefits. Contact your local transit authority for eligibility.

What if I live in a rural area with no bus?

Dial-a-ride services, volunteer driver programs through Area Agencies on Aging, rural transit partnerships, and Medicaid NEMT serve rural residents. Community action agencies coordinate much of this. Call 211 for a local referral.

Transportation in Illinois

18 verified resources.

About Transportation for Fathers

Transportation assistance helps fathers get to work, court, medical appointments, and childcare. Public transit passes are often available free or discounted through TANF, Medicaid non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT), and social service agencies. Many job training programs cover bus passes. The Ways to Work program and some community action agencies provide low-interest car loans to working parents. State DMVs typically require proof of insurance and current registration; low-cost insurance programs exist for low-income drivers in several states (California's Low Cost Auto Insurance is one example). For rural fathers without reliable transit, dial-a-ride and volunteer driver programs are coordinated through Area Agencies on Aging and community action agencies. Medicaid NEMT covers rides to covered medical visits at no cost. This directory includes transit authorities, Medicaid NEMT providers, and car-ownership assistance programs.

Transportation in Illinois

Illinois handles family law through circuit courts in each of its 23 judicial circuits, with Cook County running its own Domestic Relations Division. The Division of Child Support Services handles enforcement. Chicago dominates the state; downstate metros include Aurora, Rockford, Joliet, Naperville, and Peoria. Legal Aid Chicago (formerly CVLS) and Land of Lincoln Legal Aid cover most of the state for low-income fathers.

18 Resources

1. CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) — Paid

Chicago's public transit system operating buses and L trains with reduced fare programs for seniors, students, persons with disabilities, and low-income riders. The CTA operates 24/7 on many routes and offers a Ventra card for easy fare payment. Reduced fares require a permit obtainable through the RTA. Fathers using transit to reach work, court appointments, or childcare can find route maps, schedules, and Ventra card information at transitchicago.com.

888-968-7282 · 567 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60661 · Service 24/7 on some lines; customer service Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

2. Pace Suburban Bus — Paid

Suburban bus service connecting communities across the six-county Chicago region with fixed routes, paratransit, and vanpool services throughout Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties. Pace accepts Ventra cards and cash. Reduced fares are available with an RTA permit. Fathers in the Chicago suburbs can visit pacebus.com to plan trips, find nearby routes and schedules, and learn about paratransit eligibility for persons with disabilities.

847-364-7223 · 550 W Algonquin Rd, Arlington Heights, IL 60005 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

3. Metra Commuter Rail — Paid

Commuter railroad serving 11 lines across the Chicago metropolitan area connecting suburbs to downtown, with reduced fare options for eligible riders. Metra runs from Union Station and Ogilvie Transportation Center to suburban communities across Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties. Fathers commuting to Chicago from the suburbs can purchase tickets at stations or via the Metra app. Monthly passes offer significant savings over daily fares.

312-322-6777 · 547 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60661 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

4. Illinois Secretary of State - Driver's License Reinstatement — Paid

State office handling driver's license reinstatement for suspensions and revocations, including payment plans and formal hearing scheduling in Springfield. Fathers whose licenses have been suspended due to DUI, unpaid fines, child support arrears, or other causes can contact this office to learn the specific requirements for reinstatement. Visit the Dirksen Parkway location or call 217-782-7065 to request your full driving record and understand the steps needed to restore driving privileges.

217-782-7065 · 2701 S Dirksen Pkwy, Springfield, IL 62723 · Mon-Fri 8am-4pm

5. RTA (Regional Transportation Authority) — Free

Agency coordinating CTA, Metra, and Pace services and administering reduced fare permits for seniors and persons with disabilities in the Chicago metropolitan area. The RTA's Reduced Fare Program issues permits allowing eligible seniors 65+ and persons with qualifying disabilities to ride at half the regular fare. Fathers can call 312-913-3110 or visit rtachicago.org to learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply for a reduced fare permit.

312-913-3200 · 175 W Jackson Blvd, Suite 1650, Chicago, IL 60604 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

6. Illinois Tollway - I-PASS Assist Program — Free

Low-income assistance program eliminating the

0 transponder deposit and allowing I-PASS accounts to be opened with as little as $4 in prepaid tolls. The I-PASS Assist program helps income-eligible drivers access the cheaper I-PASS toll rate without the normal upfront costs. Fathers who drive on Illinois toll roads and qualify based on income can call 800-824-7277 or visit agency.illinoistollway.com/assist to apply for the program.

800-824-7277 · 2700 Ogden Ave, Downers Grove, IL 60515 · Mon-Fri 7am-7pm · Visit Website

7. RTA Reduced Fare Program — Free

Program providing reduced fare permits for seniors 65+ and persons with qualifying disabilities to ride CTA, Metra, and Pace at discounted rates throughout the Chicago metropolitan area. Eligible riders receive a Reduced Fare Permit that entitles them to half-price fares. Applications require proof of age or disability documentation. Fathers who are seniors or have qualifying disabilities can call 312-913-3110 or visit the RTA website to start an application.

312-913-3110 · 175 W Jackson Blvd, Suite 1650, Chicago, IL 60604 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

8. Getting Around Illinois (IDOT) — Free

Illinois Department of Transportation's interactive mapping tool and resource hub for road conditions, transit options, and transportation planning statewide. Getting Around Illinois provides real-time traffic data, construction alerts, public transit information, and travel planning resources. Fathers navigating unfamiliar areas of Illinois for court dates, visitation exchanges, or work can use this free tool to plan routes and check road conditions before traveling.

800-452-4368 · Statewide · 24/7 website; phone Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

9. Rockford Mass Transit District (RMTD) — Paid

Public bus system serving the Rockford metropolitan area with fixed routes and paratransit services for persons with disabilities in Winnebago County. RMTD operates weekday and Saturday service connecting residential neighborhoods to employment centers, medical facilities, and shopping. Reduced fares are available for seniors and persons with disabilities. Fathers in Rockford can visit rmtd.org or call 815-961-9000 for route maps, schedules, and fare information.

815-961-9000 · 520 Mulberry St, Rockford, IL 61101 · Mon-Sat 5:30am-6:30pm · Visit Website

10. CityLink (Peoria) — Paid

Peoria's public transit system operating bus routes and paratransit services throughout the greater Peoria metropolitan area including Peoria, East Peoria, Pekin, and Washington. CityLink provides weekday and Saturday service with reduced fares for seniors and persons with disabilities. Fathers in central Illinois who rely on public transit for work or appointments can visit ridecitylink.org or call 309-676-4040 for current route maps and fare information.

309-676-4040 · 2105 NE Jefferson Ave, Peoria, IL 61602 · Mon-Sat 5:30am-9pm · Visit Website

11. Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District (CUMTD) — Paid

Public transit serving Champaign-Urbana-Savoy with fixed bus routes and paratransit services connecting residents to employment, healthcare, and education. Students with a U of I or Parkland ID ride for free. Seniors and persons with disabilities ride at reduced fares. Fathers in the Champaign-Urbana area can visit mtd.org or call 217-384-8188 for route maps, trip planning, and information on paratransit eligibility and scheduling.

217-384-8188 · 1101 E University Ave, Urbana, IL 61802 · Mon-Sat 6am-11pm · Visit Website

12. Springfield Mass Transit District (SMTD) — Paid

Springfield's public bus system providing fixed routes and paratransit service throughout the state capital area of Sangamon County. SMTD operates weekday and Saturday routes connecting residential neighborhoods to downtown, medical facilities, and shopping areas. Reduced fares are available for seniors and riders with disabilities. Fathers in Springfield relying on transit can visit smtd.org or call 217-522-5531 for current route maps, schedules, and fare details.

217-522-5531 · 928 S 9th St, Springfield, IL 62703 · Mon-Sat 6am-6pm · Visit Website

13. Connect Transit (Bloomington-Normal) — Paid

Public transit serving Bloomington-Normal with fixed routes and demand-response paratransit for the twin cities area of McLean County. Connect Transit operates weekday and Saturday bus service connecting residents to Illinois State University, employment centers, medical facilities, and downtown areas. Reduced fares are available for seniors and persons with qualifying disabilities. Call 309-828-9833 or visit connect-transit.com for routes, schedules, and fare details.

309-828-9833 · 351 Wylie Dr, Normal, IL 61761 · Mon-Sat 6am-10pm · Visit Website

14. MetroLink (Quad Cities) — Paid

Public transit serving the Rock Island and Moline area in western Illinois with fixed bus routes and paratransit services for the Illinois Quad Cities region. MetroLink operates weekday and Saturday service connecting Rock Island, Milan, Moline, and East Moline. Reduced fares are available for seniors and persons with disabilities. Fathers in the Illinois Quad Cities area can visit gogreenmetro.com or call 309-788-3360 for route and schedule information.

309-788-3360 · 1515 River Dr, Moline, IL 61265 · Mon-Sat 5:30am-9:30pm · Visit Website

15. Rides Mass Transit District (Southern IL) — Paid

Rural public transit serving 13 counties in southeastern Illinois with demand-response transportation for medical appointments and essential trips. Rides MTD provides scheduled and on-demand rides for residents in rural southeastern Illinois who lack access to personal vehicles or urban transit. Advance reservations are typically required. Fathers in rural communities of southeastern Illinois can call 618-242-0140 to schedule rides and learn about service area coverage and fares.

618-242-0140 · 41 E Robinson St, Olney, IL 62450 · Mon-Fri 5am-7pm · Visit Website

16. Amtrak Illinois (Lincoln Service & Illinois Zephyr) — Paid

Amtrak routes connecting Chicago to Springfield, St. Louis, Quincy, and Carbondale with multiple daily departures from Chicago's Union Station. The Lincoln Service runs between Chicago and St. Louis with stops at Joliet, Pontiac, Bloomington, Springfield, and Carlinville. The Illinois Zephyr serves Galesburg and Quincy. Fathers who need to travel between Illinois cities can book tickets at amtrak.com or call 800-872-7245 for schedules and fares.

800-872-7245 · 225 S Canal St, Chicago, IL 60606 (Union Station) · Daily service; station hours vary

17. Joliet Area Transportation System (JACTS) — Paid

Local transit service providing bus routes and dial-a-ride paratransit for residents of Joliet and Will County. JACTS connects Joliet neighborhoods to employment centers, medical facilities, and shopping areas with fixed bus routes and flexible paratransit for persons with disabilities. Reduced fares are available. Fathers in Joliet relying on public transit can call 815-727-5123 for route maps, current schedules, and information on paratransit eligibility.

815-727-5123 · 57 N Ottawa St, Joliet, IL 60432 · Mon-Sat 6am-7pm

18. Aurora Transit (Pace Route 530) — Paid

Public transit service connecting Aurora residents to employment centers, shopping, and medical facilities in the Kane County area through Pace Route 530 and connecting services. Aurora transit links riders to Metra stations and regional bus connections for longer trips. Fathers in Aurora who rely on public transit for commuting or accessing services can call Pace at 847-364-7223 or visit pacebus.com for current route maps and schedules.

847-364-7223 · Aurora, IL 60506 · Mon-Sat 5:30am-9pm · Visit Website

Transportation — Common Questions

Can I get help affording a car?: Some community action agencies and programs like Ways to Work, Wheels to Work, or Good News Garage offer low-interest loans or donated vehicles to working parents. Eligibility typically requires employment or training and income under a threshold. Waitlists can be long.
What is Medicaid NEMT?: Non-Emergency Medical Transportation — Medicaid must cover rides to and from covered medical appointments at no cost. Call the transportation number on the back of your Medicaid card to schedule. Rides must be arranged in advance (usually 2–3 business days).
Are there reduced-fare transit options?: Most transit agencies offer reduced fares for seniors, disabled riders, and Medicaid enrollees. TANF and some workforce programs include transit passes. Some employers subsidize transit through pre-tax benefits. Contact your local transit authority for eligibility.
What if I live in a rural area with no bus?: Dial-a-ride services, volunteer driver programs through Area Agencies on Aging, rural transit partnerships, and Medicaid NEMT serve rural residents. Community action agencies coordinate much of this. Call 211 for a local referral.