As new CTA board member Lily Diego-Johnson is seated, the CTA board discusses art and crime in the system
May 13, 2026
“SBC versus smoking on the CTA” part six: A software engineer turns to crowdsourcing to hold officials accountable for finding solutions
If you've been following Streetsblog Chicago's quest for holistic approaches (not just more policing) to encourage people not to smoke on CTA trains, you know why this is an important issue, and have read about my shenanigans on this front. If not, check out more links at the bottom of this post.
April 6, 2026
Inside CTA HQ, board discussed Revised Security Enhancement Plan. Outside, rallying bus drivers chanted “Respect us, protect us, pay us.”
It was perhaps fitting that much of the March 11 meeting of the CTA's board was held to the chanting and shouts from a rally taking place right outside.
March 11, 2026
CTA board signs off on smoke mitigation pilot, discusses public safety challenges
On Wednesday, the CTA board had its first meeting of 2026, and there were some hot topics to discuss.
January 15, 2026
CTA board responded to FTA ultimatum, bid farewell to Michelle Lee, heard more Grand-standing from protected bike lane NIMBYs
Reporting for this piece is by Igor Studenkov, and commentary is by editor John Greenfield.
December 10, 2025
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