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At RTA board meeting, Executive Director Redden discussed lessons from Asia, the move to NITA, and improving bike-ped access to transit
As far as I'm concerned, today's presentation by Regional Transportation Authority Executive Director Leanne Redden at the agency's monthly board meeting was this week's second biggest news story about an Australia native. The biggest headline was country musician and Nicole Kidman ex-husband Keith Urban's puzzling performance of Chappell Roan's LGBTQ anthem "Pink Pony Club" for Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago compound.
November 20, 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
Lovefest at today’s RTA board meeting, as directors nix 2026 fare hikes, agency prepares to ride off into sunset to make way for NITA
The October 23 Regional Transit Authority board meeting, in the midst of Springfield's fall veto session on the brink of the transit fiscal cliff, was a contentious affair. It was basically a Spiderman Pointing Circle of people blaming each other for the dire straits Chicagoland transit was facing.
November 6, 2025
At RTA meeting, ex-mayor of “Groundhog Day” movie setting Woodstock, IL says voting structure casts shadow on transit reform bill
As we approach the the end of October, things are getting eerie. I'm not talking about spectral Halloween decorations. (Sorry, I wound up squeezing two different holiday references into this post.) Rather, I'm referring to the haunting possibility that state legislators may go home from their fall veto session, wrapping up Tuesday through Thursday of next week, without passing a transit reform and funding bill. That could result in service cuts and layoffs, which would indeed be frightful.
October 23, 2025
At Transit is the Answer Coalition meeting, RTA provides updates on the budget gap, and how other cities are dealing with transit fiscal cliffs
The Transit is the Answer Coalition is an alliance of organizations led by the Regional Transportation Authority, supporting a strategic plan for Chicagoland public transportation. Yesterday they held a public Zoom meeting to discuss the RTA's analysis of the state funding and governance reform bill HB 3438.
August 14, 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
Chicago is a world-class city. Our transit system should reflect that.
By Micheál Podgers
May 27, 2025
Dystopia or Utopia? Chicagoland transit officials discuss worst and best possible outcomes as we approach state funding deadline
Want to urge state legislators to properly fund Chicago-area transit during their spring 2025 session, so as to prevent drastic service cuts in 2026? The Active Transportation Alliance recommends going to the webpage "Support the Clean and Equitable Transportation Act!" to send letters to your state reps.
March 27, 2025
The RTA’s new Transit-Friendly Communities Guide offers encouragement for building equitable TOD in the ‘burbs
Recently the Regional Transportation Authority, the agency that oversees the CTA, Metra, and Pace, released a Transit-Friendly Communities Guide to encourage development that's accessible to public transportation. Earlier this week, the RTA held a webinar about the guide for municipal officials, urban planning professionals, and the public. It included success stories of creating equitable transit-oriented developments, and tips on how to use best practices from the handbook to foster ETOD in other communities.
March 7, 2025
RTA chief says the agency should get more authority over fares, service quality, and capital investment for Chicagoland transit
Executive Director Leanne Redden's comments were made during a recent Transit Is the Answer Coalition discussion of strategies to avoid the fiscal cliff.
February 16, 2025
