Tell the Chicago City Council it's time for BOLD action on transit!

It’s that time again, Ghosties!

Help us call on the Chicago City Council, demanding that they finally take some BOLD action on the shameful decline in service, reliability, transparency, and oversight we’ve all been forced to endure in our public transportation.

Thanks to all of you, we sent nearly 900 public comments to the Transportation Committee asking them to thoroughly question Ira Acree, the Mayor’s proposed nominee for the RTA Board. Unfortunately, you probably read about what happened next. Acree admitted that he barely rides the CTA (because he’s “fortunate” to have a car). Other highlights:

  • He didn't seem to know what fare consolidation is.
  • When asked why the CTA is the only major transit agency in the U.S. that hasn't recovered from the pandemic, he accused Ald. Fuentes of asking a "trick question” (it’s not — we know exactly why).
  • He said the hearing was the first time he had heard of the fiscal cliff.
But even after all of that, the committee overwhelmingly approved his nomination. Alds. Andre Vasquez (40th) and Scott Waguespack (32nd) were the only “no” votes out of 14 committee members.

But now for the good news: Alds. Andre Vasquez (40th) and Matt Martin (47th) are introducing a resolution calling for CTA President Dorval Carter to resign or be replaced.

They’re officially introducing it at the next City Council session on May 22. It needs 26 votes to pass, and as of this writing, around 20 alders have signed it to show their support. If it passes, it won’t mean Dorval is fired — the City Council doesn’t have that authority. But it will put a lot more pressure on City Hall to step in and do something about the CTA.

What can you do to help? We’re so glad you asked.

Use this form to send a letter to the City Council demanding that they…

  1. Sign on to the CTA Reform resolution

  2. Vote “NO” on Ira Acree’s appointment to the RTA Board

Public transportation is a public good. Let’s all remind the City Council of their responsibility to work for us — all of us — to maintain and protect it.