[remote or in person] Regular Board Meeting Chicago Transit Authority Board

Chicago Transit Authority

Transportation

Wednesday, March 12, 2025
10:00 a.m. — 1:30 p.m. CDT

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567 W Lake St Chicago, IL 60661 (Directions)

CTA Headquarters, 2nd Floor, Boardroom

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Reporting

Edited and summarized by the Chicago - IL Documenters Team

Note-taking by Jamel Smith

The board approves three ordinances and ten contracts. CTA plans to increase bus frequency on select routes starting March 23rd through the Frequent Network initiative.

View notes

Live reporting by Parker Garlough

The board approves three ordinances and ten contracts. CTA plans to increase bus frequency on select routes starting March 23rd through the Frequent Network initiative.

Parker Garlough

Hi, I’ll be live-tweeting today's Chicago Transit Authority meeting for #CHIdocumenters @CHIdocumenters

09:59 AM Mar 12, 2025 CDT

Parker Garlough @parker_garlough 2/39

The meeting has begun.

Parker Garlough @parker_garlough 3/39

The first public commenter is making a case for adding tip collection boxes to give transit users the option to tip their bus drivers and other transit employees.

Parker Garlough @parker_garlough 4/39

Patricia Poynter is placing a FOIA request asking "who implements when the cars are placed at the CTA bus stops?" She told a police officer hoping to have someone ticketed for that, and he said it wasn't his responsibility, so she is wondering whose responsibility it is.

Parker Garlough @parker_garlough 5/39

She experienced an "incident" on Feb 27th, and there was no security camera footage. She also said an employee would not let her use an employee bathroom to wash out her eyes after something was sprayed in them.

Parker Garlough @parker_garlough 6/39

A note from the CTA president says that smoking on transit is a frequent complaint, which often causes riders to doubt its cleanliness.

Parker Garlough @parker_garlough 7/39

Police and security contractors are concentrated at certain stations which frequently receive complaints through the chatbot, getting on trains, and removing smoking passengers; it's also a visible demonstration that the CTA is doing something.

Parker Garlough @parker_garlough 8/39

On Friday, the "CTA Connection," a new monthly newsletter, will be launched. People can sign up for the newsletter at transitchicago.com/newsletter

transitchicago.com/newsletter

Parker Garlough @parker_garlough 9/39

"Moving Experiences: Stories of the CTA" is a new podcast by the CTA. It will at first focus on experiences by employees.

Parker Garlough @parker_garlough 10/39

In the past month, CTA representatives have met with Springfield legislators several times. The RTA has asked transit agencies to describe what would happen if funding was not continued. "I don't want people to worry here at CTA that that will happen, because we're on the case."

Parker Garlough @parker_garlough 11/39

Half a million people will lose access to transit if funding is lost, and the board is going to continue to discuss other potential negative impacts (routes closed, less frequent access, etc). They will also discuss positive outcomes if funding is maintained or increased.

Parker Garlough @parker_garlough 12/39

Tuesday, March 18, will be National Transit Employee Appreciation Day. This meeting will include a celebration of several employees, and recognition will be posted on social media as well. The chatbot menu will be adjusted so that complimenting an employee is higher on the menu.

Parker Garlough @parker_garlough 13/39

Michele Lee: "I'm sure the community will be excited and embracing more of a focus on [smoking]... Overall, I'm feeling pretty encouraged. Thanks for the report."

Parker Garlough @parker_garlough 14/39

18 current employees, and one retired employee, are being celebrated for receiving multiple commendations from riders in 2024.

Parker Garlough @parker_garlough 15/39

Thaddeus Moody, Christopher Keaton, and Deshawnda Holman received the highest number of commendations: 9 riders each.

Parker Garlough @parker_garlough 16/39

The recognized employees are receiving a standing ovation.

Parker Garlough @parker_garlough 17/39

"The mayor of Armitage station" (nickname of Janet Martin) recently retired. She was beloved for her decades-long service at Armitage station, and community members recently threw her a retirement party. blockclubchicago.org/2025/03/03/100…

blockclubchicago.org/2025/03/03/100…

Parker Garlough @parker_garlough 18/39

Lester Barclay: "Your warmth, kindness, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to our customers will always be remembered." He handed Martin a plaque to commemorate her service.

Parker Garlough @parker_garlough 19/39

Rev. Dr. L. Bernard Jakes asked the employees how they deal with customers that "rub them the wrong way." One of them said he remembers to move forward because he knows that eventually he'll be able to laugh about unpleasant interactions.

Parker Garlough @parker_garlough 20/39

Michele Lee, to the CTA employees present: "You are the heart and soul of this agency. We can't thank you enough. You make this city a great place to live."

Parker Garlough @parker_garlough 21/39

The minutes from the previous meeting have been approved.

Parker Garlough @parker_garlough 22/39

The meeting has moved into executive sessions. My live reporting will continue when the board returns.

Parker Garlough @parker_garlough 23/39

The board has returned from executive session.

Parker Garlough @parker_garlough 24/39

The board approved a settlement of $3.5 million in the lawsuit Sarah Bowers v. CTA and Chester Matthews.

Parker Garlough @parker_garlough 25/39

The board appointed Lisa Smith as an alternate to the Board of Trustees of the retirement plan for CTA employees.

Parker Garlough @parker_garlough 26/39

The board voted to "approve the omnibus."

Parker Garlough @parker_garlough 27/39

A presentation of construction updates has begun.

Parker Garlough @parker_garlough 28/39

Barry has begun to receive deliveries of traction power equipment. At Canal Tie-House, SCADA equipment is being tested. At Lake Line Austin, prework to make the station accessible is in progress.

Parker Garlough @parker_garlough 29/39

Concrete at the entrance of the Harlem Station Bus Bridge is being removed in preparation to reconstruct the bridge.

Parker Garlough @parker_garlough 30/39

The All Stations Accessibility Program progress is summarized here.

Parker Garlough @parker_garlough 31/39

Concrete panels on the outside walls of the Racine Stationhouse are being installed. Electrical panels are being installed at Morgan Substation. Tracks are being rebuilt on the North Side main line. An escalator is being installed at Bryn Mawr station.

Parker Garlough @parker_garlough 32/39

The Argyle Platform canopy has been completed, as has the granite tile.

Parker Garlough @parker_garlough 33/39

Community outreach is ongoing.

Parker Garlough @parker_garlough 34/39

Parker Garlough @parker_garlough 35/39

Recent CTA events for the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program:

Parker Garlough @parker_garlough 36/39

Parker Garlough @parker_garlough 37/39

Roberto Requejo asked if there is a process for stations that could undergo minor improvements before the longer-term major improvement projects begin.

Parker Garlough @parker_garlough 38/39

The presenter said complaints collected by customer service representatives can be important resources for that. He gave the example of replacing all the doors at a station with wider, more accessible ones.

Parker Garlough @parker_garlough 39/39

The meeting is adjourned.

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Agency Information

Chicago Transit Authority

www.transitchicago.com

(312) 681-5022

ctamedia@transitchicago.com

@cta ‏

See Documenters reporting

To govern and administer the Chicago Transit Authority.

Remote meetings of the CTA board are live-streamed at https://www.youtube.com/user/CTAConnections/videos. The video may not appear until at or a few minutes after the scheduled start time. If you do not see it right away give it a few moments and try refreshing the webpage.