[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6098217,"mediaKeyId","2824621-53d776a10b3ae8682e89cd53c54b531d","parentId",2824621,"title","Public commenters urge CTA to pilot employee appreciation tipping, address bus-stop parking and cameras","audioSeconds",308,"startMs",2008000,"endMs",2316000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2824621-53d776a10b3ae8682e89cd53c54b531d&start=2008&end=2316","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2824621-53d776a10b3ae8682e89cd53c54b531d/thumbnail_2008000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6098217/Illinois/Public-commenters-urge-CTA-to-pilot-employee-appreciation-tipping-address-bus-stop-parking-and-cameras","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6098217-742e8ffae9bbe236cd8becaa90b5995a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771092492&Signature=IF~YOnEqOKQXURyHdc-twFM6Has39wR26DSu8yrk8TfMHwqtsXkn-wpdTbIBb2HxVlmN8OadjYsxEltKssQfDOZ2uKKIpzIRD09gRefNYbPUd~4rSxrGPtOPIb2qOgJy-J7pqD2N43NLmDnQeoya2BEXLnoRqyiq2c-tIJRxY2n2JxF1O3qAyhV~aTJPJVlbf5inm~n5uybs4A5RFfg941ZH2IALbqajCxMAlx7brVtWxCyaP2KjvSN6oeTvPaihVqtaG-~RdNbI3qhuogEZibmihdbG742vyK6KpJfRSLkwA3DKZWPlRY~MFSPnjha7uHflOGvnCYHP1KmiStIeIw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Chicago Transit Authority Board","date","2025-03-12T00:00:00Z","article","Public comment at the March 12 CTA board meeting included multiple rider and community-member concerns about safety, enforcement and a proposal for voluntary tips for CTA employees.

Adam Bicke (self-identified as a Chicago documentary filmmaker) proposed a voluntary annual employee-appreciation tipping program he called “CTA Employee Appreciation Month” running Dec. 1–31, with collection boxes at stations and on buses or an option to tip via a Ventra card. Bicke said the program would be voluntary and intended to allow passengers to show appreciation to CTA employees, drawing an analogy to tipping for taxi or ride-hail drivers. He offered to assist with public-service announcements or promotional material and handed packets with the proposal to board staff.

Another public commenter, Patricia Fuentes, raised operational concerns about cars that park at CTA bus stops and block buses from reaching curbs, making boarding difficult for older riders. Fuentes said she reported the problem to the police and was told ticketing was not police responsibility, and asked the board to clarify which city agency enforces parking at bus stops. Fuentes also referenced an incident on an Orange Line train where she said cameras did not appear to be recording and an attendant denied her access to a station bathroom when she needed to rinse her eyes after being sprayed with an irritant.

Board staff noted that public commenters had provided written materials and contact information to the board; staff also indicated no additional registered public comments remained.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Chicago Transit Board Meeting - March 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","During public comment a filmmaker proposed a voluntary seasonal tipping program for CTA employees; other commenters raised concerns about cars parked in bus stops, cameras not recording during an incident, and denied access to staff restrooms during an incident.","taxTitle","Chicago Transit Authority Board, C, Boards and Commissions, Executive, Illinois","taxId",30803,"location","Illinois","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6098222,"CTA construction update: Austin accessibility project, RPM station progress and DBE/workforce numbers",804,5121000,5925000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2824621-53d776a10b3ae8682e89cd53c54b531d&start=5121&end=5925","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2824621-53d776a10b3ae8682e89cd53c54b531d/thumbnail_5121000.jpg","/articles/6098222/Illinois/CTA-construction-update-Austin-accessibility-project-RPM-station-progress-and-DBEworkforce-numbers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6098222-8ac0c142727c33ad61afcc2f01cb64ad/orig.mp4?Expires=1771092492&Signature=U3Q9ZtBxTWS254XVeVLIjA4SEMZa24Ti68~GDBX4IgEKrnyjB9oim9CNdn8Dcwh8e4NQvSDK9oV6T-Gx13eg~4baFL0kYWn0bnY8AbvNFAzrEkJkLjiicVeYjsqGgp4YravzBUFYfmFPQpNgis2jOYveqoQlELJOqO9z~apK2Pf8MCyqDalb18QXaGuMeNbVGuMPNeRjysnfLmDqwVM~MuCu~PKo00UmDBia0Ujo4FnbfNCbDwDvmRKm~yxX8IWV95WCBhBwrQPlPNEG9U-FNRj8sYegyDTu-4swkjRFpnkhI4VsMInKPFwHGNiEPVOBFTYTAiqfdOcPqPru--OfTg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chief Infrastructure Officer Bill Mooney told the board the Canal, Damon and Berry traction-power substation projects are in late commissioning and testing phases; Damon was described as near live commissioning. Mooney said commissioning steps include load/stress testing and SCADA integration before energization.

Mooney described ongoing work on the All Stations Accessibility Program (ASAP) Austin (Green Line) station. He said the project will make Austin a fully accessible station and that the team secured federal Surface Transportation Program (STP) funding to support the project. Mooney described converting a historic exit at Mason into a temporary entrance during construction and significant streetscape and ramping work to provide accessible paths of travel.

On Red-Purple Modernization (RPM) Phase 1, Mooney showed progress at Bryn Mawr, Argyle and Lawrence stations: escalators at Bryn Mawr in commissioning, canopies and granite flooring at Argyle, and station finishes progressing at Racine. He also described traction power upgrades at Morgan and rehabilitation work at the Hermitage substation. At Clark Junction the team is completing track and third-rail installation and preparing for full four-track operations in the near term.

Juan Pablo Prieto reported DBE and workforce figures for RPM Phase 1 through Jan. 31: he said \"122 unique DBEs have been awarded over $293,000,000 between the design and construction packages on RPM Phase 1.\" He reported more than $208,000,000 of payments to DBEs and said Walsh (the prime) was on track to meet workforce goals with over 2,600 unique individuals working 2,270,000 labor hours and wages exceeding $135,000,000. Prieto described recent DBE certification drives, a quarter 1 workforce outreach event and a DBE outreach event that drew prime contractors, DBEs and workforce partners.

Board members asked about replicating the STP funding strategy for sidewalk and path-of-travel improvements, environmental-review timing (NEPA) and whether connected-communities funding and obligated grants are at risk. Mooney said the CTA considers obligated federal grants (he cited the Connecting Communities grant awarded Dec. 2024) binding and that Austin’s recent NEPA findings helped accelerate project planning.

Mooney and Prieto said outreach included events at Altgeld Gardens, Kennedy King, and Build, Inc., and that a 2025 small-business educational cohort had 28 firms enrolled as of February.","Chief Infrastructure Officer Bill Mooney and Director of Diversity Programs Juan Pablo Prieto updated the board on traction-power substations, the Lake (Austin) all-stations-accessibility project, Red-Purple Modernization progress and DBE/workforce attainment figures for RPM Phase 1.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6098227,"CTA announces 10-minute frequent-bus routes, smoking enforcement missions and new rider communications",502,2556000,3058000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2824621-53d776a10b3ae8682e89cd53c54b531d&start=2556&end=3058","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2824621-53d776a10b3ae8682e89cd53c54b531d/thumbnail_2556000.jpg","/articles/6098227/Illinois/CTA-announces-10-minute-frequent-bus-routes-smoking-enforcement-missions-and-new-rider-communications","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6098227-296d8ef3fca63047e7c584d1c9c35c89/orig.mp4?Expires=1771092492&Signature=AsMXjYytVqtGT7xqrrMO~QhwwV~R1xsBQGyTuweNh7i3euEqQCrfAEp4bplIdVhLM1cpOqS9t5KlfWxt1AVP4XOd3RAB4C3wrBpwhfXiGmj3SItaq7np6dDiCTC8GoMSqaLEQhGkoMAv1hWMreBD85D9QVBeEDAxa1noi6YRvhhyk1PBhF1BR7B3fIV37SgtZD~MX9HADZVIl6n5C02TqfH5edunssvJCDqot~LPZNiffASSsUFt8-25TKBI6kZF0oe-mAQYpGW7W9Z-qS9~3YvR0jSVUb6UPazr2-XgBlqst~IdYDunVlk4~BS7wdQP8vAUocbMr2u80xYKEFzgEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Acting President Nora Lisonbee (presented as Acting President in the transcript) told the board March 12 the CTA will launch a set of bus routes in 2025 that will receive 10-minute-or-better service during the day, with the first eight routes starting March 23. Lisonbee said the change reflects improved hiring and reliability, noting the agency now has more bus operators than in 2019 and “our bus service is regularly hitting over 99% of scheduled delivery.”

Lisonbee described a directed enforcement effort on smoking in stations and onboard trains: CTA security and contractors will concentrate at stations identified by chatbot complaints, board members were told, with officers boarding trains to remove anyone smoking and issue citations as appropriate. Lisonbee said the goal is both enforcement and visible presence so riders “see that we know about the issue, that we care about it, and that we're working on it.”

The agency will also launch a monthly rider newsletter called CTA Connection (signup at transitchicago.com/newsletter) and a podcast titled Moving Experiences, Stories of the CTA to share employee stories and system updates. Lisonbee said the CTA will make it easier for customers to submit compliments about employees through the chatbot menu.

On advocacy, Lisonbee told the board she has been to Springfield twice in recent weeks and testified before the House Appropriations hearing and Transportation Working Group. She said the Regional Transportation Authority asked transit agencies to prepare scenarios that show the consequences of not receiving additional funding and stressed the CTA’s work to avoid any cuts. Lisonbee said those scenarios will be public and that the agency will emphasize equity, saying it will not “abandon our values” when modeling potential reductions.

Lisonbee also noted the agency’s employee recognition plans for Transit Employee Appreciation Day and urged riders and board members to use the chatbot to submit employee compliments and to share photos for internal recognition campaigns.","Acting CTA president outlined a frequent-network rollout beginning March 23, targeted smoking enforcement informed by chatbot complaints, new rider newsletter and podcast, and ongoing Springfield advocacy with contingency scenarios if state funding isn’t approved.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6098232,"CTA board approves leases and 10-contract omnibus; approves $3.5 million settlement",6846,331000,7177000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2824621-53d776a10b3ae8682e89cd53c54b531d&start=331&end=7177","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2824621-53d776a10b3ae8682e89cd53c54b531d/thumbnail_331000.jpg","/articles/6098232/Illinois/CTA-board-approves-leases-and-10-contract-omnibus-approves-35-million-settlement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6098232-a44aa4b529212916005e270948b62377/orig.mp4?Expires=1771092492&Signature=lnHZGR14kMKGNr-Jg0B3nKbI2EXHEgrE-b58NJ7Urd6ON7zXCYzOLn3efMKn6mA7BMzRrfqmEIDa1EezwVsMKpUNgb5tiyy5kugsxl7WOWdxRay-zUiLwzKpaDQKGrV4DY8ZdK112M0R~B3O1FDTYNR~YbuHydQ3MpybOf2W7~c4R4X832pfZ5rvs2kZlUcy7UsKFU8DQfcvWPf4PjVAqilT5QmjaZQRmZf88g5-g-GosAPpMgGNzcClcPqkFjLulkvJ-27Sn27BKXMtmwutloxauW-z-fUz4rhnBY3sPHZP9QHUdb7Avc1OYFkaQzX-1wPezmTEw9loI~sNVcqfZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Chicago Transit Authority Board on March 12 approved three ordinances authorizing retail-concession leases and placed 10 contract awards on an omnibus recommendation to the full board, which the board then approved in a separate roll-call vote. The board also approved a $3,500,000 settlement in litigation and a board appointment for the CTA retirement-plan trustees.

CTA finance director Tom McComb reported January financial results at the board’s finance-audit-and-budget committee earlier that morning, saying fare and pass revenue for January came in “slightly better than budget and about a million dollars better than last year,” and that total operating results started the year “positive to budget.” McComb said public funding for the month was $4,300,000 better than projections and that aggregate results for 2024 were about $15,000,000 favorable to budget as collections are finalized.

The three ordinances under the finance committee were leases for retail concession space at Orange and Blue Line stations: a lease to Donut Dudes CTA Kedzie LLC for 251 sq ft at 4900 S. Kedzie Ave. with first-year projected annual rent of $6,525.96; a lease to Donut Dudes CTA Western LLC for 197 sq ft at 4901 Southwestern Ave. with first-year projected annual rent of $5,085.96; and a lease to Kisby LLC for 273 sq ft at 4917 N. Milwaukee Ave. (Jefferson Park Blue Line) with first-year projected rent near $9,000. In committee each ordinance was moved, seconded and placed on the omnibus for board approval.

At the full board meeting the omnibus of 10 contracts and the three ordinances were approved by roll call. The board also approved minutes from the Feb. 12, 2025 meetings, permitted Director Michelle Lee to participate remotely for an earlier meeting due to a medical situation, and approved an ordinance appointing Lisa Smith as an alternate trustee to the Board of Trustees of the retirement plan for CTA employees.

In closed session earlier in the meeting, counsel presented a proposed settlement in Sarah Bowers v. Chicago Transit Authority and Chester Matthews, Circuit Court of Cook County Case No. 2022L011028. The board voted in open session to approve the settlement in the amount of $3,500,000.

Votes at a glance (recorded roll calls where noted):
- Approval of minutes (board meeting 02/12/2025): Passed (yes votes recorded: Director Lee; Director Raquel/Recuejo; Chairman Barclay; Director Jaques; Director Eady).
- Ordinance: Lease to Donut Dudes CTA Kedzie LLC (4900 S. Kedzie Ave.): Placed on omnibus in committee; omnibus approved by full board (roll call recorded: Director Recuejo/ Raquio/ Raquel: yes; Chairman Barclay: yes; Director Jaques: yes; Director Eady: yes; Director Lee: yes).
- Ordinance: Lease to Donut Dudes CTA Western LLC (4901 Southwestern Ave.): Same omnibus placement and approval as above.
- Ordinance: Lease to Kisby LLC (4917 N. Milwaukee Ave., Jefferson Park Blue Line): Same omnibus placement and approval as above.
- Contracts: Ten contracts across transit operations, infrastructure, planning/innovation, technology and diversity programs were placed on the omnibus, then approved by the board (roll call recorded as above).
- Motion to remove contract D1 from the agenda (defer): Moved by Director Eady, seconded by Chairman Barclay; the committee removed D1 and proceeded with consideration of D2.
- Motion to permit Director Michelle Lee to participate remotely (medical): Passed by roll call in committee earlier that day (unanimous where recorded).
- Ordinance appointing Lisa Smith as alternate trustee to CTA retirement-plan Board of Trustees: Approved by roll call.
- Settlement approval: Motion to approve a $3,500,000 settlement in Sarah Bowers v. CTA and Chester Matthews: Passed (roll call recorded: Director Recaio: yes; Chairman Barclay: yes; Director Jaques: yes; Director Eady: yes; Director Lee: yes).

Board members and staff asked few questions on the leases and contracts; multiple items were moved to omnibus and the committee reported the items recommended for board approval.

The finance report, committee approvals and the settlement vote were the principal formal actions recorded during the meeting.","The Chicago Transit Authority Board approved three retail concession ordinances (placed on the omnibus), ten contracts bundled onto an omnibus, accepted the finance report and approved a $3.5 million settlement in a pending lawsuit. Votes were unanimous on recorded roll calls.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public commenters urge CTA to pilot employee appreciation tipping, address bus-stop parking and cameras

CTA construction update: Austin accessibility project, RPM station progress and DBE/workforce numbers

CTA announces 10-minute frequent-bus routes, smoking enforcement missions and new rider communications

CTA board approves leases and 10-contract omnibus; approves $3.5 million settlement