RUNNING OUT OF MONEY? Chicago's commuter rail, heavy rail, and bus operators face money problems.

Illinois Auditor General William Holland said in his first ever report that mass transit in northern Illinois is in a serious financial crisis.

Holland estimates the CTA, Pace, and Metra together are almost $6 billion away from meeting their needs for new equipment and maintenance.

He says expenses have risen at three times the rate of income.

Elsewhere, the story reports a doubling of fares wouldn't solve the problem. Er, that's particularly true as long as road tolls and parking charges are impounded in ceteris paribus.