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• Hit-and-run driver fatally struck Violet Harris, 15, on an e-scooter Saturday around 8:30 PM in the 2800 block of E. 77th in South Shore (Block Club)

It's time for the fifth installment of our series "Streetsblog Chicago versus smoking on the CTA." This is an effort to find holistic solutions (not simply more policing) to the aggravating problem of smoking and vaping inside railcars. Take a look at part one for an intro to my perspective on the issue. It's common knowledge that smoking on the 'L' is a major hazard for people with disabilities, seniors, and young kids. It's also unhealthy and annoying for the rest of us, and it causes people to instead choose modes like driving and ride-hail, contributing to crashes, pollution, and congestion.

• "Metra to test new ticket process with riders scanning tickets before boarding" (NBC, Metra)

Recently, Josh Mark stepped down as chief of staff for the 47th Ward, represented by Ald. Matt Martin. The North Side district contains parts of North Center, Lincoln Square, Uptown, and Lakeview, and Martin is one of Chicago's most sustainable transportation-friendly City Council members. Many walking, biking, transit, and equitable TOD projects have happened in the ward since he took office in May 2019. Especially in recent years when Mark served as COS, he's been a key lieutenant to the alder who helped get those things done.

• Driver charged in DUI hit-and-run that seriously injured pedestrian in Barrington (CBS)

Last Sunday was the second-to-last epidose of "Safe Streets: The Comedy Show. Why It Sucks to Walk or Drive in Chicago, and How We Can Fix It." It's an "edu-comedy revue" created by Streetsblog contributor Ellen Steinke that combines sketch comedy, improv, and satire that "takes on the systems behind our streets, not just the people stuck using them."

• Trump administration backs off threats to cut $50M in CTA funding over safety issue, but they're putting the screws on IDOT (Tribune)

Earlier this month Streetsblog wrote about the March 3 case of an SUV driver fatally striking a woman on foot near Foster Avenue and Pulaski Road in the North Park neighborhood. While this was the first case I'd seen in news reports this year of a deadly crash involving a vulnerable road users on Chicago surface streets, I noted there were indications that other people people on foot and bike may have been killed. After doing some more research, I've identified some more of the incidents.

• Don't mess with Illinois! "Feds press the Illinois transportation department over CTA safety" (Tribune)