[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,76,87,99],{"_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",6608854,"mediaKeyId","2934051-7880983edded60e04b71260560414068","parentId",2934051,"title","CTA board approves omnibus package that reallocates state funds, advances regional day pass and several contracts","audioSeconds",331,"startMs",1504000,"endMs",1835000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2934051-7880983edded60e04b71260560414068&start=1504&end=1835","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2934051-7880983edded60e04b71260560414068/thumbnail_1504000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6608854/Illinois/CTA-board-approves-omnibus-package-that-reallocates-state-funds-advances-regional-day-pass-and-several-contracts","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6608854-9afa04a5c5e6ee5dbada97e6073d7642/orig.mp4?Expires=1770820424&Signature=c73kuidUSs0lWXabjFwp1-pS7yFmPjKhsprtzWGU-TqJID8LfDrxpvhaO8a0VhyUMZeB5gOJetGvdAdKF-LG4mzlH~gFmaLVCDZfBDnLkpFwjgBTqxC9bDCJcthuWRpRc40Y-ssfHQ~af3XE98Ij8NfWOqhwDyX~oSZrJ5JWFm-eKs51yir-FWS3glROcIiwakC3C2QCav75u~Ot3h4HITfEqgTxp68iPWlfzjJoFD~48CpGMjrpVgf5RA-kQ0dUskrLRJwMCkDTGdypNfNCcG0aIY0g05Vs~Ia9iIznM9YbWTJxekZrpkb8cryPIk1mqt7OyNJVaHn6I07A0lKASg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Chicago Transit Authority Board","date","2025-04-09T18:03:47.94Z","article","The Chicago Transit Authority Board on April 9 approved an omnibus package of ordinances and contracts that reprograms state capital savings into upcoming station projects, authorizes co-promotional activity with the City of Chicago, advances the regional day pass pilot, and places six contracts on the board omnibus for final approval.

Why it matters: The actions move funding and partnerships into projects and programs CTA officials said are already in construction or ready to start, and bundle multiple routine approvals into a single omnibus vote that the board approved by roll call.

Votes at a glance
- Capital Improvement Program amendment (Ordinance amending Ordinance 024-143): Approved and placed on omnibus; increases the CIP by $23,438,742 to move Rebuild Illinois savings into Forest Park modernization Phase 1 and the California Blue Line station ASAP project. Motion to place on omnibus moved by Director Jha and seconded by Director Ortiz; roll-call vote recorded as Yes (Director Raquijo, Director Ortiz, Chairman Barclay, Director Jaques, Director Jha, Director Eady).
- Co-promotional trade agreement with City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) for 2025: Approved on the omnibus. The agreement gives CTA unsold interior car-card advertising space and dedicated event presence in exchange for event signage, digital promotion and limited on-site space for CTA at major events including Taste of Chicago and the Air and Water Show.
- Amendment to Intergovernmental Agreement for the Regional Day Pass Pilot Program (RTA/Metra/PACE/CTA): Approved on the omnibus. The regional day pass will allow unlimited travel across CTA, Metra and PACE for 24 hours; staff stated the pilot price will be $9.50 on weekends and $10.00 weekdays.
- Six contracts placed on omnibus, including technology blanket purchases (contracts G1'G3, Carahsoft referenced) and awards for transit operations, infrastructure and communications: Approved on the omnibus.
- Collective bargaining agreement with International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, District 8: Approved in open session following closed-session review and placed on the omnibus approval.

Board procedure and timing: Committee review occurred earlier in the morning; board members moved to place the three ordinances and six contracts on the omnibus and then voted to approve the omnibus in a single roll-call sequence. Multiple motions to place items on the omnibus were moved by Director Jha and seconded by Director Ortiz. Roll-call votes recorded unanimous or near-unanimous support as shown in meeting minutes.

What staff said: Tom McCone, chief financial officer, summarized the CIP amendment and explained the increase of $23,438,742 reflects available Rebuild Illinois savings from projects nearing completion. Molly Papi, chief planning and innovation officer, summarized the Regional Day Pass amendment and the joint work with RTA, Metra and PACE to launch the pilot.

Next steps: Staff said the funds will be programmed into Forest Park modernization Phase 1 and the California Blue Line station ASAP project and that the regional day pass pilot is expected to launch soon. The board indicated it will receive additional briefings on implementation details as projects and pilots proceed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Chicago Transit Board Meeting - April 9, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Chicago Transit Authority Board on April 9 approved an omnibus package of ordinances and contracts that reprogrammed state capital savings into upcoming projects, authorized 2025 co-promotional agreements with the City, advanced the Regional Day Pass pilot and approved six contract awards.","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":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6608839,"Acting president outlines accessibility projects, Second Chance successes, autism awareness and youth outreach",0,5331000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2934051-7880983edded60e04b71260560414068&start=5331&end=5331","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2934051-7880983edded60e04b71260560414068/thumbnail_5331000.jpg","/articles/6608839/Illinois/Acting-president-outlines-accessibility-projects-Second-Chance-successes-autism-awareness-and-youth-outreach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6608839-c94897b126267db3f013c2217e4ee352/orig.mp4?Expires=1770820424&Signature=QG1MP67W5lezpbS~BUGZVLR68DcOgwN8k2qzPZOaDAjXz48ve1mFzZe5d6WKKd6YNGlHKiRjP85HRHiA4VOQKpZjGRLUKBvAz7Nm-zXKHGLlRcq9Y3gQzNAMCNab8JJvZMCCrnUbm4c~PHk2iORX03mPJ5uK9GHDSaJsb91hbOg-QyhYtrnqQwncVz05Hj7CIuu22ywIAsvEsiXwytw8GwVQtQeYUn2wtTmKklrBXLutJuuUyWom8-es0hqt7~JfEfj-DG0PLiyK6kl8I~4OrehHNppU~8aba8F61GGAz8A3RVUp3IKrVckpTdhI595ss2zEMFs38dmepyxKNwCKSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The acting president presented a monthly report on April 9 that highlighted accessibility work, workforce development and outreach initiatives across the Chicago Transit Authority.

Accessibility and capital projects
The acting president described the March 31 Austin Green Line groundbreaking as the start of a $25,000,000 accessibility project and said CTA expects six new accessible stations to be announced within the year, including Austin and Racine on the Blue Line and four RPM stations later in the year.

Second Chance program and apprenticeships
The acting president emphasized CTA's Second Chance employment program, describing workshops including a recent expungement clinic for program participants. Staff reported that nearly 30 Second Chance apprentices have been converted to permanent CTA employees so far this year; the acting president said that number is notably higher than the typical eight conversions at the same point in previous years.

Autism Awareness Month and youth outreach
In recognition of Autism Awareness Month, CTA played an announcement voiced by a child in rail stations to raise awareness as part of a collaboration with the Autism Transit Project. The acting president also said the CTA hosted a pre-apprenticeship fair at South Suburban College attended by 261 people, with 18 exhibitors including CTA staff, workforce partners, contractors, unions and training providers.

Other items
Staff previewed the Clean & Green spring volunteer service tour scheduled for the morning of Saturday, April 26, and noted Transit Employee Appreciation Day activities and an agency podcast focused on employee stories. The acting president said the agency is monitoring legislative conversations in Springfield about transit funding and will continue outreach to elected officials.

Next steps
Staff said they will return with further updates on stakeholder engagement for a $3,000,000 security initiative in the adopted budget and on legislative advocacy as the Illinois session progresses.","CTA's acting president reported infrastructure milestones (Austin Green Line groundbreaking, six new accessible stations planned), highlighted the Second Chance workforce program and apprenticeship conversions, noted Autism Awareness Month station announcements, and previewed a Clean & Green volunteer day.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6608845,"Board hears results from ZeroEyes pilot; approves technology contracts as part of omnibus",379,2679000,3058000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2934051-7880983edded60e04b71260560414068&start=2679&end=3058","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2934051-7880983edded60e04b71260560414068/thumbnail_2679000.jpg","/articles/6608845/Illinois/Board-hears-results-from-ZeroEyes-pilot-approves-technology-contracts-as-part-of-omnibus","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6608845-946be78922e719de4238378ff9c920af/orig.mp4?Expires=1770820424&Signature=oWjGHjW5bnR7vh7t71VJQuP1Uw0H64V0DY4mU3EjqzH6asH4EjT0FPvSgKbiizNQtquuEDfeZCjuBJTLx6rqvKMCYcNf59QovhnHwfHyTihfMF3iLxaOX5qwSQmiXe~D59nofZRbmSyn3FrD6Adw8KFpqCyM3s7ft~jfai5p-o5bzd3nIhv1jB1hpf9MncCG0N75Ibbg0PU1ZES-Jk50Ygg5Yr51y-Y7LaAxIwNZTmonaW2CgGLVgMfl8HG8ZZtT8MYaol2P-es478YAPqtBFdB0ZYvRVffEWLK5qNhhvWbl3sjIJO23ZKLQ3EfYBTQohBs2V3m0WyJ9J421Wi4UQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","CTA security staff told the board on April 9 that a pilot of the ZeroEyes gun-detection system produced detections and arrests that officials said demonstrate operational value, and the board placed related technology contracts on the omnibus and approved them.

Pilot results and capabilities
Kevin Ryan, vice president of security, summarized the pilot figures: \"there's been approximately 82 detections made on the system, or around 10 actual lethal or determined to be firearms. Of those, recent ones, there's been 6 arrests.\" He said alerts are dispatched in under two minutes and are shared simultaneously with CTA operations, the Chicago Police Department and the city's Strategic Decision Support Center to allow rapid camera review.

Ryan and Caroline Gallagher, chief technology officer, told the board the agency selected ZeroEyes in part because the company routes detections through a staffed control center for human review rather than relying solely on automated AI decisions. As Ryan put it: \"AI makes the detection, but they send it to a control center where, former military or law enforcement look at the pictures and determine make a determination ... If it's determined to be a probable firearm, it's sent immediately to 9-1-1 CPD.\"

Board concerns and communications
Board members expressed support for the pilot results and also raised questions about public communication and signage. Several directors said they wanted the public to understand how the system is used and that human reviewers vet detections to reduce false-positive responses. Staff said they are working with the president's office and communications to develop messaging; security leaders said they would not disclose exact camera locations but would share success stories and general notice that the technology is in use.

Contract approvals and scope
Caroline Gallagher described related technology procurements as part of a broader package of contracts placed on the omnibus and approved by the board. Kevin Ryan said expansion under the proposed contract would allow ZeroEyes coverage on up to 1,500 cameras, prioritized by historical crime data, station-area violence patterns and critical infrastructure locations.

Public-safety context
Ryan emphasized the system is intended to provide rapid, actionable intelligence to responding officers and CTA operations and cited the six arrests as examples of prevention or rapid law-enforcement action: \"Those are 6 guns taken off the system. 1 arrest was actually in that person, an armed robbery in progress.\"

Next steps
Staff will finalize contract execution for the technology awards approved on the omnibus and return with implementation details. Communications staff said they will work on a public messaging plan and stakeholder engagement that explains detection protocols, the human-review process and how alerts are routed to law enforcement and operations.","CTA security leaders reported results from a ZeroEyes gun-detection pilot—about 82 detections, roughly 10 probable firearms and six arrests—and the board approved related technology contracts on an omnibus vote. Officials emphasized human verification by a control center and discussed signage and communications to inform riders.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6608849,"CTA officials cite cold weather and event patterns for February ridership dip, outline marketing and service actions",456,420000,876000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2934051-7880983edded60e04b71260560414068&start=420&end=876","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2934051-7880983edded60e04b71260560414068/thumbnail_420000.jpg","/articles/6608849/Illinois/CTA-officials-cite-cold-weather-and-event-patterns-for-February-ridership-dip-outline-marketing-and-service-actions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6608849-775aafc5beac89c17b4fde1979a8f2a0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770820424&Signature=ertZRzZUKh0Db9A-q~fqshhztxWaKCUGNdyaSiwxNWhUYnnTsAJRJ-GXjjSt1ao~c6OuI4MX-NZV5AY2G54nhP-N9J1s2BkdpqpTdez2a5jtzUgECde9tLgOzpem43fyK-kDT5-nZ0dY9eZNqIyQ80bgWOuu1-Dl6yVrThpVFgQ492fx7Qda68gcuTg6h9OdyH6VpuJ8iPLDDQaJrqHPjZTnUkJS4HtLOh~8Acp3abyf-BkDFKpjek2~VuBUalvNKCYHcrIEDYxBzEWuzI5IkLaBPMxQ9w~GPzy4UeL2fisw49J~~sqv4sN~iQC226SoncYu94wdo8-KdJk~dKJMqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tom McCone, the Chicago Transit Authority's chief financial officer, told the board on April 9 that system-generated fare-and-pass revenue in February was below budget and below last year, and that the shortfall was driven by lower ridership that month.

\"Fare and pass were down relative to budget and down to last year as well. That was driven by a little bit lower ridership than we anticipated in the month of February,\" McCone said, adding that non-fare revenues such as investment income helped offset the shortfall.

Why it matters: The revenue shortfall contributes to monthly variances against budget and factors into year-to-date financial planning. McCone said total system-generated revenue for the year remained positive to budget after accounting for non-fare income and other offsets.

Board discussion focused on causes and responses. Molly Papi, chief planning and innovation officer, told the board: \"We do think it is primarily driven by weather. We did have 2 particularly, particular weeks of very cold weather in February.\" Papi added that limited-use tickets sold at rail stations (one-day passes typically used for events) declined in cold weather and that targeted marketing for events helped recover ridership for those occasions. She noted Saint Patrick's Day ridership was substantially higher than in 2019: \"our Saint Patrick's Day ridership was actually 10% or 30,000 rides above where we were in 2019.\"

Board members pressed for a broader communications strategy. Director Raquijo said the agency should not \"discount the role of the weather\" but also asked whether CTA's marketing and engagement strategies are sufficient to re-engage riders who have not returned since the pandemic. Papi described targeted digital campaigns around events and construction disruptions (the Kennedy reconstruction), and said CTA plans a longer-term marketing effort to connect riders to improvements such as the frequent network and service changes.

Operational responses noted during the meeting: staff said they have locked in a favorable diesel forward purchase (70% of anticipated 2026 volume purchased) and will add extra Blue Line service on the O'Hare branch beginning April 20 to handle Kennedy construction impacts and park-and-ride marketing. McCone also listed budget impacts: materials use declined because of newer vehicles (lower parts usage), and fuel positive-to-budget results stemmed from hedging at better prices.

What remains unresolved: Board members asked for more explicit messaging to reassure occasional and former riders about cleanliness, frequency and security improvements. Staff committed to continuing targeted event marketing and developing a consistent, agency-wide communications plan to encourage occasional event riders to ride more frequently.","CTA Chief Financial Officer Tom McCone reported fare-and-pass revenue for February fell short of budget and last year due to lower ridership; staff and board members discussed weather, event calendars and targeted marketing to regain riders, plus added Blue Line service and fuel hedging.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

CTA board approves omnibus package that reallocates state funds, advances regional day pass and several contracts

Acting president outlines accessibility projects, Second Chance successes, autism awareness and youth outreach

Board hears results from ZeroEyes pilot; approves technology contracts as part of omnibus

CTA officials cite cold weather and event patterns for February ridership dip, outline marketing and service actions