[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6564096,"mediaKeyId","3301919-cc1b6c31457fc4aec13e800af2cd7e11","parentId",3301919,"title","ADA advisory committee: accessibility progress, request for audio on new digital signage","audioSeconds",160,"startMs",3620000,"endMs",3780000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3301919-cc1b6c31457fc4aec13e800af2cd7e11&start=3620&end=3780","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3301919-cc1b6c31457fc4aec13e800af2cd7e11/thumbnail_3620000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6564096/Illinois/ADA-advisory-committee-accessibility-progress-request-for-audio-on-new-digital-signage","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6564096-1d31a36ff02715b9a63e62e744c88eae/orig.mp4?Expires=1771054939&Signature=MEcjPecoddYVYHy3z3RKa6UZRw2cU7U3soIak0RShOccEMmfQyj1R~PU6pjcSXKv-wxMNfKjH8WaCDNUx4saCdT2ntpiDURqHEbHV6ch4H8ueR~A27HUpGLb2BDGKVYZGRgtyHyriWseTQYBnlEeBNML3xjThZB-xOO6QEhKjMsbXX3ny84vJwRD6Hb8qhfnNm1hqWMylbGdpWmAdjhwvt6GatcaeUG5OPEfoGTaV1Te2iRuHY6t5FCMxnzKvGrTrVDIKR03kL5OJGd7Cgh~~PfNkPVL17AeO~KeD6ESCTARZFzOYv3QuWs4RAxqn4Mhe0pU~ksCywMuMJDeuApbNg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Chicago Transit Authority Board","date","2025-05-05T15:39:23Z","article","Laura Salzman, chair of the CTA ADA Advisory Committee and transportation policy analyst for Access Living, reported to the board on May 14 that the committee is tracking accessibility projects and raising a series of operational concerns, particularly audible access to digital displays and bus-stop relocations affecting seniors and people with disabilities.

Highlights from the ADA committee report:
- Bus stop relocation in Uptown: committee members raised an ongoing concern that the Route 36 southbound stop at Montrose and Broadway had been removed six years earlier, requiring residents with mobility impairments to walk about 1,000 feet instead of 200 feet to reach service. CTA planning staff and a Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) representative committed to investigate; Salzman later reported the stop will be relocated to improve access for seniors in the nearby building.

- ASAP and elevator work: committee members received a status update that seven ASAP stations are under construction and eight more are in design; Austin (Green Line) is under construction following a March 31 groundbreaking. The committee noted progress on Racine and Austin and ramped-up platform work.

- Digital signage and audio: the committee welcomed new elevator- and service-alert displays at RPM stations but expressed frustration that the new displays will not include audio. Committee members requested that a text-to-audio feature be incorporated in future iterations; a QR-code interim solution was suggested. CTA staff said grants have been applied for to fund digital signage with audio features.

- Homeless outreach and security concerns: Salzman summarized updates on outreach partnerships on the Red and Blue lines that reported 265 shelter placements and 104 permanent housing connections since January 2023; the committee urged continued focus on shelter capacity that meets accessibility standards.

Ending: the ADA committee will continue to monitor ASAP station designs, digital signage accessibility, and cross-agency coordination; its next meeting is scheduled for July 14, 2025.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Chicago Transit Board Meeting - May 14, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The CTA ADA Advisory Committee reported progress on ASAP stations and requested audio capabilities for new digital signage; committee noted relocation of a bus stop in Uptown will be moved back following cross-agency work.","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},6564099,"Acting president summarizes 100 days, legislative outreach and security initiatives",480,4020000,4500000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3301919-cc1b6c31457fc4aec13e800af2cd7e11&start=4020&end=4500","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3301919-cc1b6c31457fc4aec13e800af2cd7e11/thumbnail_4020000.jpg","/articles/6564099/Illinois/Acting-president-summarizes-100-days-legislative-outreach-and-security-initiatives","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6564099-1fc3318809c198e606b6f2af290ec29f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771054939&Signature=X2-Lb7l72MUFvM4s9DMSnTW7-DG3WSqp7OWjo7Oi925f1LAchbMxcrn16B7HiytcO63qNOI1I9jwnP0qY1r8Ui9tfN8xENg8R3oaOxtBEWilXnVyjSdbjHQN~HxqrlOIc610IlkIB55pVucNikCPGpG-nj1ZZ0egw9dm0fFyLu~Vsz1j7lqfFKbrY7HdldIghSKfonLvxcKRCp8O0mGmVeDcWqWUbElteeDOTle6J92bqMzrTOvxJQ38EysslpdC~vC1La8A496qzVEVT~KyqIC3sUykOJmH8Pplk~PrAVU-Ab~smbK6O1ak6mMVPb32n08Bs7QH-g7VUAHtHfuQ3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Acting CTA President Nora briefed the board on May 14 about the first 100 days of her leadership, ongoing legislative outreach in Springfield and steps the agency is taking on safety and rider-facing service initiatives.

Nora framed her work in four buckets—people driven, performance focused, welcoming places, and partnerships—and described staff activity in each area. Highlights she reported included:
- Legislative outreach: Nora said she has met with state legislators in Springfield to press for additional funding and to explain how a corrected funding formula would affect CTA service and local districts; she said she would continue to be a resource to legislators as the session closes.

- Safety and security initiatives: Nora reported targeted missions with the Chicago Police Department that include anti-smoking enforcement operations tied to CTA complaint data and “safety outreach missions” in which officers visit platforms to engage riders positively. She said Chicago Police activity produced nearly 2,000 smoking-related tickets so far this year and that over 100 tickets came from focused missions.

- Overnight security deployments: Nora said CTA started overnight canine missions on the Red Line from Cermak to 95th Street, covering every station overnight, seven days a week. She described this as part of a broader approach combining police, CTA security guards and outreach/street-services partnerships to make deployments more targeted and visible.

- Employee support and trauma response: Nora emphasized CTA offers employee assistance and adjusted post-incident mental-health training (branded as “CTA Cares”) for managers and staff following on-right-of-way fatalities and similar incidents.

- Service and performance: Nora cited progress in hiring (more than 5,000 hires in two years; bus operators exceed pre-2019 levels) and the launch of the frequent bus network, which she said is producing ridership increases on routes where frequency was added.

Board reaction and requests: directors praised the engagement and requested regular, concise updates that link pilot/security outcomes to measurable results. One director asked where additional funding would be spent if the legislature provided $1.5 billion; Nora said the money would expand the frequent network to 25 more bus routes, expand evening and weekend spans, and explore 24/7 airport service among other service expansions.

Ending: Nora said CTA is pursuing multiple security pilots (including non-law-enforcement crisis-response teams and environmental-design approaches at stations) and coordinating more closely with mayoral and city offices on homelessness outreach and community safety.","Acting President Nora summarized her first 100 days, outlined legislative outreach in Springfield seeking additional funding, described new safety and outreach missions with CPD and overnight canine deployments on the Red Line, and said CTA will report further on targeted pilots and security strategies.",{"_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},6564102,"Advocates urge CTA to launch stalled Narcan pilot for rail platforms",345,2259000,2604000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3301919-cc1b6c31457fc4aec13e800af2cd7e11&start=2259&end=2604","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3301919-cc1b6c31457fc4aec13e800af2cd7e11/thumbnail_2259000.jpg","/articles/6564102/Illinois/Advocates-urge-CTA-to-launch-stalled-Narcan-pilot-for-rail-platforms","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6564102-a52b58dbe00240182e8cd7e3b0b820ed/orig.mp4?Expires=1771054939&Signature=VlElhaK2YvKRy1gLLmug7O0e16R3kRxrVmOHeByxnqvoVxtVziGkUyhzgO0m78DJJ5ARwxss4Z7FCbm45GdLWu9hhNdZQn6Jyxmgtqa2vF-jbhVCzDds0V~yq6t7Nhpx3-5g4-lEeXsvS9j51-YUIE4Dtu9b~d23o-xfv17zXmytmaCMMycvWkKv~6l5HEJsXmcYHGX6HrSh7BNO4UvG5F92pPgJTwHjJefzln4OAnb1eKXsfc7BGsDSctre2hfRSdp~scvn7SPuwxoESEHt1bVOncKw5cVWMYE8EpRB7E7qhIEni1~2t0pvU1OgL1biAcVQBPTqzVDhwn8yd243eA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A group of public speakers asked the Chicago Transit Authority Board on May 14 to move immediately to deploy a pilot program that would place Narcan (naloxone) dispensers on rail platforms.

Sheila Henneke, representing the Westside Heroin Opioid Task Force, told the board the pilot advanced through CTA channels and was close to final interagency agreements with Cook County Health roughly 90 days before the May meeting. Henneke said Cook County’s Office of Behavioral Health had agreed to fund and manage six dispensers across four lines (blue, red, green and pink) and that Chicago Recovery Alliance would stock and maintain the machines under arrangements with county public-health partners. Henneke said CTA staff would not be expected to administer Narcan but would provide property access and station communication about the devices.

Henneke urged the board to approve the pilot without further delay and described personal experience: her son died from an opioid overdose at the Rosemont Blue Line station in November 2021, which she said illustrated the potential life-saving effect of on-platform naloxone availability. She asked CTA leadership to follow up with her and the task force so the pilot could be launched.

CTA response and staff follow-up: Acting President Nora (first name given in meeting as Nora) said she had recently spoken with Henneke, that CTA leadership and county partners had worked through many revisions and had a small number of final operational questions, and that her operations team would follow up. Nora said she planned a staff update to the board next month and would keep Henneke and the task force in contact; she named a chief operating officer on the call as a follow-up contact.

Why it matters: CTA staff and public commenters framed the pilot as a harm-reduction measure intended to empower riders to respond to overdoses on platforms and to reduce service disruptions and emergency responses. Speakers said the pilot could be launched without significant CTA funding because county and nonprofit partners would supply machines and maintenance.

Ending: The board record shows CTA staff agreed to continue coordinating final steps with Cook County Health and Chicago Recovery Alliance and to provide a status update at the next board meeting.","Representatives of the Westside Heroin Opioid Task Force told the board the Narcan dispenser pilot for six rail platforms is ready but delayed; CTA staff said leaders are coordinating final steps with county partners and will follow up.",{"_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},6564107,"CTA construction report: Canal traction power online; Austin ASAP groundbreaking underway; RPM phase milestones",740,5860000,6600000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3301919-cc1b6c31457fc4aec13e800af2cd7e11&start=5860&end=6600","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3301919-cc1b6c31457fc4aec13e800af2cd7e11/thumbnail_5860000.jpg","/articles/6564107/Illinois/CTA-construction-report-Canal-traction-power-online-Austin-ASAP-groundbreaking-underway-RPM-phase-milestones","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6564107-d59b8b4e736a679cb87c77656ff1df8b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771054939&Signature=aJLiqEhvEvlG82b0yZMG0NVNVyqcTh0wrzAk9tTDJNSPy5Xpy05dCvfQMHs0SuNiuyPP2iS0U-0m7-7UvC7pqsSEKpFrM~VIWva-zHryq~eVASprbBjdd3AplZToVCvZSH-JJEFtUT0z6wjaqFGDX2zHNtefUGRvVoD2RRoGugLHRQ2htLFV-mmY81gbyRC9ADj3OgxoNIMks-00mZdtn0NygKno1JJw-H2pRfYt7jzGSSUrjs9RHCdWtrIj8Ev2kWxSxnbE0dw~hGkiemwK0ZUyzhUiVJSVxYbxDmsATr~PE~cOZxZB-IR4n97zicqYSfKMAl02JJXD3FRhhWlFnw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","CTA Chief Infrastructure Officer Bill Mooney told the board on May 14 that several capital projects are advancing, including commissioning work at the new Canal traction power facility, continued construction on the Austin All Stations Accessibility Program (ASAP) station, track and station milestones on the Red-Purple Modernization (RPM) project and a major deck pour for a bus bridge on Harlem Avenue.

Key project updates:
- Canal traction power facility: Bill Mooney said Canal is fully online for beneficial use and is providing regenerative braking benefits to both the Green and Blue lines. Mooney described the installation, wiring and multi-month commissioning required for traction power equipment.

- All Stations Accessibility Program (ASAP): Austin (Green Line) moved from pre-construction to active construction after a May groundbreaking; design work continues at several other ASAP stations (including Montrose, Belmont, Irving Park) and 16 elevator-rehab projects are in design. CTA identified property needs for California (Blue Line), and staff is finalizing acquisitions and procurement to advance platform work.

- Harlem Bus Bridge (Harlem Avenue): crews completed a large, single-day deck pour and are following with finishing work, approach construction and canopy/utility tie-ins.

- Red-Purple Modernization (RPM) and Clark Junction: RPM reached a milestone by opening Park Junction on May 4, restoring a key segment of track operations after reconfiguration; Bryn Mawr is reported about 90% complete, and Argyle and other stations are progressing with platform finishes, architectural features and signage.

- Refresh and Renew/Customer-facing work: the program completed station refreshes timed for the baseball season and is working at a series of stations and bus turnarounds; CTA said it is also moving to expand community-facing improvements around station footprints.

Why it matters: staff said progress on traction power and station work will support reliability, regenerative energy capture and ADA accessibility upgrades. RPM junction work is a multi-year, technically complex project that CTA staff and operations credited as a major milestone.

What board members asked and staff promised: board members asked for broader, regular updates that tie construction work to rider outcomes (for example, how substation work improves service) and requested more reporting on transit-oriented development and non-infrastructure place-making tied to CTA properties; staff agreed to add or quarterly highlight slides for that material.

Ending: CTA’s diversity and workforce staff reported DBE and workforce outcomes for RPM through March (22 unique DBEs awarded $299M+, DBE payments $233M+, workforce hours >2.3M) and said outreach and apprenticeship events continue across the city.","Chief Infrastructure Officer Bill Mooney reported progress on Canal traction power, the Harlem Bus Bridge deck pour, Austin ASAP groundbreaking and ongoing RPM station work, and said several ASAP and RPM stations are in construction or design.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6564113,"Board approves four ordinances and eight contracts in omnibus vote",390,680000,1070000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3301919-cc1b6c31457fc4aec13e800af2cd7e11&start=680&end=1070","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3301919-cc1b6c31457fc4aec13e800af2cd7e11/thumbnail_680000.jpg","/articles/6564113/Illinois/Board-approves-four-ordinances-and-eight-contracts-in-omnibus-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6564113-9a20d90c471a215a7c853fda10b67728/orig.mp4?Expires=1771054939&Signature=VxcjW8YJHWCvNvYTDaP59iC1MFhB3qn19p6aXOyxPfsQOmzcw57ycg2Dd5YmUeHkvbw1oXF-lmzeko97uz5A4IU32akSk-l6qpHmx5N6VC-io~~An~zWzxSSo4n-NyGUic-s6foL7nfbmWPD2YYu3-FIbFvx2sZr-PnGhz~Vv8g6OhttW9ScCAsFJmBWdrYfMEnCDQ~I2cabhH1zbKM7vxABK3jY-78I7cfOmy03nTmSaQx7uwl53YJ1auIp9OK50itgXa4RU~AUULUORvDjTMksXHKdZb2AvdrXVG26WMEbrb1R5-tHeG4ApFI7IE9JQp6A2Ito0K9oG1LXLXFl8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Chicago Transit Authority Board on May 14 approved an omnibus package that placed four ordinances and eight contract awards before the full board and carried the items by roll call vote.

The ordinances placed on the omnibus covered: (1) a lease of retail concession space at Polk Pink Line station to Polk Transit Food Services, Inc., (2) a lease of retail concession space at the 18th Street Pink Line station to Chomp's Pizza LLC, (3) an amendment to an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) to change a permanent easement parcel to fee simple in support of the Red Line Extension project, and (4) the acquisition of a vacant parcel at 2274 N. Milwaukee Ave. to support CTA’s California Blue Line All Stations Accessibility Program (ASAP).

Why it matters: the leases continue the CTA’s concession program at Pink Line stations and generate modest annual rent revenues; the CHA IGA change clarifies property ownership for the Red Line Extension project; and the Milwaukee Avenue parcel will be used to expand a station platform to accommodate elevators and exit stairs needed for ADA accessibility.

What was approved (key details):
- Polk Transit Food Services lease (Polk Pink Line): 252 square feet at an initial annual rent of $35 per square foot, base term 10 years with two 5-year options, 3% annual escalations; projected first-year rent $8,820 (presented as the projected total annual rent). The staff presentation said All Transit Food Services was the sole responsive bidder and will operate the space formerly occupied under the prior agreement.

- Chomp’s Pizza lease (18th Street Pink Line): 205 square feet at an initial annual rent of $35 per square foot, base term 10 years with one 5-year option, 3% annual escalations; projected first-year rent $6,525.96. Staff recommended approval and said the space will operate as a food-service cafe.

- Amendment to IGA with CHA (Red Line Extension): The Board approved an amendment that converts what had been described as a permanent easement parcel into a fee-simple parcel; all other terms of the IGA (originally authorized under ordinance 028-117 in October 2023) remain the same.

- Property acquisition (2274 N. Milwaukee Ave., Blue Line ASAP): CTA and 2274 North Milwaukee LLC agreed on a purchase price of $500,000 for an approximately 1,356-square-foot unimproved parcel needed to expand the station platform for new elevators and three exit stairs.

Procedure and vote: each ordinance and the contract awards were placed on the omnibus during committee and board proceedings with a motion to include them; motions to place the items on the omnibus were moved by Director Raquayo and seconded by Director Lee (as recorded in the meeting transcript for each item). The omnibus motion to approve the bundled ordinances and contracts passed on a roll-call vote with Directors Lee, Jaques, Barclay (chairman), Ortiz, Raquayo and Jha recording “yes.”

What the approvals do not do: the board’s approval placed these items on the record for CTA to proceed under the terms presented; the approvals do not by themselves describe later administrative steps (e.g., final contract execution, easement recordings, closings) required to implement the transactions.

Ending: CTA staff said they would be available to respond to follow-up questions and that additional acquisitions and ASAP design work will be brought to the board in upcoming meetings.","The Chicago Transit Authority Board placed four ordinances (two concession leases, an IGA amendment for the Red Line Extension, and a land purchase for the Blue Line ASAP program) and eight contract awards on the omnibus and approved them by roll call on May 14, 2025.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

ADA advisory committee: accessibility progress, request for audio on new digital signage

Acting president summarizes 100 days, legislative outreach and security initiatives

Advocates urge CTA to launch stalled Narcan pilot for rail platforms

CTA construction report: Canal traction power online; Austin ASAP groundbreaking underway; RPM phase milestones

Board approves four ordinances and eight contracts in omnibus vote