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A conversation with Active Trans’ W. Robert Schultz III: We must improve public safety on the CTA. What’s the best way to accomplish that?
Interview by James Porter, introduction by John Greenfield
January 16, 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
Photographer Daniel Moreno discusses his new book “Chicago’s Holiday Train”
Since 1992, the CTA Holiday Train has been a Chicago Christmas tradition. Now people don't need to ride it to appreciate its splendor. Daniel Moreno, a photographer from Venezuela who now lives in Chicago, has spent several years capturing the decorated 'L' train.
December 1, 2025
Yes, despite the upcoming RTA/NITA switch and transit agency board remix, Johnson can still choose Leerhsen for permanent CTA chief
On November 7, a week after the "Halloween Miracle" of the Illinois General Assembly passing a robust transit reform/funding bill in the wee hours of October 31, SBC had a fun conversation with Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson.
November 19, 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
Yes, CTA needs to be and feel safer. But despite what the U.S. transit czar implied, Trump shouldn’t use that as an excuse to send in National Guard.
Yesterday, Trump's Federal Transit Administration chief Marc Molinaro scolded Chicago leaders about crime on public transportation in a Tribune op-ed titled, "The CTA has become a rolling symbol of abdication. Riders don’t feel safe." Read it on the Tribune website, Bluesky, or Twitter.
September 30, 2025
Chicken soup for the CTA rider’s soul: While the transit agency is standing on the verge of a budget crisis, positive vibes at town hall
These are nerve-wracking days for Chicagoland public transit agencies, workers, riders, and advocates as we teeter on the brink of a $771 million regional transit fiscal cliff next year.
September 19, 2025
Today’s Headlines for Friday, August 22
•"CTA gets $74M from Metra, Pace to delay 40 percent service cuts next year" (Sun-Times)
August 22, 2025
Today’s Headlines for Thursday, August 21
• Family pleads for answers after boy with autism dies of injuries during fight on CTA station steps (CBS)
August 21, 2025