CHICAGO — Transit systems in Chicago and Springfield will share nearly $8 million in federal money to pay for environmental improvements.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced the funding for the Chicago Transit Authority and the Springfield Mass Transit District. The money will pay for efforts to reduce bus emissions and improve fuel economy. The funding is part of the department's Clean Fuels Grant Program which aims to buy cleaner, greener buses.

The CTA will receive $4.7 million to replace conventional diesel buses with larger, diesel-electric hybrid buses. Springfield will receive more than $3 million to buy compressed natural gas buses.