CTA board approves budget, lauds new transit bill. Car activist Roger Romanelli makes a disingenuous Grand Avenue bus lane proposal.
The general reporting on the meeting is by Igor Studenkov, and the commentary on the Grand Avenue project is by John Greenfield.
November 12, 2025
At CTA board meeting, an update on bus lane cams, and commiseration over Trump’s blockade of RLE grant: “This is not normal.”
Today's monthly CTA board meeting took place as Illinois lawmakers are getting ready to return to Springfield for the fall veto session, scheduled for October 14-16 and October 28-30. Let's keep our fingers crossed that they will finally pass a transit funding/reform bill, permanently saving our region from previously projected 40 percent service cuts and 3,000 layoffs.
October 8, 2025
“Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters!” At the CTA board meeting, discussion of a new program to exorcise ghost buses
CTA staff also gave updates on the Frequent Network program to to shorten bus waits; rail ridership; and the lease for the Chicago Market co-op at Wilson Station.
August 13, 2025
Loved ones, bike advocates honored Yader Castaneda, fatally struck by Hummer driver at dangerous Loop intersection
August 4, 2025
The first cut is the deepest: RTA warns some transit impacts may be unavoidable, even if the state comes through with a bailout
"This is an outcome that was preventable, but we stand ready to do the work and respond to what's coming down the path," said RTA Executive Director Leanne Redden.
June 12, 2025
At a relatively peaceful, productive meeting, CTA board approved bus route changes, Narcan machines, track safety pilot
In some ways, today's CTA board meeting wasn't as dramatic as the May one. Unlike last month, Ald. David Moore (17th) wasn't there warning the directors that they would be "backbiting snakes" if they didn't support Mayor Brandon Johnson's pick for the new agency president. That person was the City's current chief operating officer John Roberson, the alder's former chief of staff.
June 11, 2025
Ald. Moore insists that CTA board members who oppose Mayor Johnson’s prez pick, the alder’s ex-COS, would be “backbiting snakes”
"He's a cold-hearted snake... he don't play by rules"
May 15, 2025
Life on the edge: Where Chicagoland transit funding stands as the spring legislative session winds down and the fiscal cliff looms
In a blog post last Thursday, the Regional Transportation Authority, which oversees the three local transit agencies, once again sounded the alarm that a $771 million total fiscal transit cliff is approaching next year if action is not taken now.
May 12, 2025
Advocates asked mayor, CTA board to delay hiring new prez. Johnson reportedly had already chosen one. Special meeting ended without vote
"If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice."
May 9, 2025
CTA board approves expansion of contract for gun-detecting security cams, amends contract for universal one-day transit pass
CTA Vice President of Security Kevin Ryan said that the artificial intelligence-assisted security cameras the transit agency started to pilot last August led to six arrests, including for a robbery in progress.
April 10, 2025
