Nora Leerhsen
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The iceman leaveth: After a judge issued a restraining order, the Trump administration was forced to unfreeze funding for the RLE and RPM projects
Plus transit experts and advocates Yonah Freemark, Nik Hunder, and Oboi Reed respond to the good news.
March 30, 2026
In case you didn’t feel like showing up: Trib reporter Jake Sheridan names and shames the absentee alders who sank today’s CTA hearing at City Hall
"Somebody once told me the [CTA] is gonna roll meI ain't the sharpest tool in the shedShe was looking kind of dumb with her finger and her thumbIn the shape of an 'L' [train] on her forehead"
March 27, 2026
Self-described “annoying” transit union leader Eric Basir discusses changes he wants made to CTA labor policies, and the agency responds
"Brother" Eric Basir has been working for the CTA since February 2018. He started as a customer service assistant, became a flagman, then a train operator, and for almost five years, he's been a rail car repairer, currently working out of the Midway terminal.
January 22, 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
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
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
During budget town hall at Malcolm X College, officials promise to save the CTA by any means necessary
The CTA held the last of its 2025 budget town halls yesterday, allowing more members of the community to voice their concerns and opinions about the looming $771 million regional transit fiscal cliff. The event took place at Malcolm X College, 1900 W. Jackson Blvd. While officials acknoewledged the budget crisis, it was a "good news and bad news"-style meeting.
September 26, 2025
Dorval Carter Jr. broke the CTA. Nora Leerhsen’s on track to fix it – if we fund her work.
By Ellen Steinke
August 19, 2025
At Council hearing, transit advocates weighed in on the fiscal cliff, and acting CTA prez Leerhsen impressed them with her vision for the system
Yesterday there was an eventful meeting of City Council's Committee on Transportation and the Public Way. The committee passed a resolution by Ald. Bill Conway (34th) pushing the CTA to increase its enforcement of no smoking rules by coordinating with law enforcement and releasing ticketing numbers. The measure will go before the full Council for a final vote.
July 31, 2025
