Public commenters urge CTA board to hold nationwide search for next president; board recesses to executive session

The Chicago Transit Authority Board on May 8 heard more than a half-dozen public commentators urging the board to conduct a transparent, nationwide search for the authority's next president and to delay any appointment until after the Illinois General Assembly's spring session. The board did not name a new president at the special meeting; it voted to permit two directors to participate remotely and later recessed into executive session.

The public comment period, which the board scheduled as the first open item on the agenda, drew speakers from transit advocacy groups and longtime riders concerned about what they described as a rushed, opaque process. "A leader appointed without transparency and without a serious candidate search sends the wrong message at the wrong time," said Nick Mullen, a South Evanston resident. "I implore members of the board to think deeply."

Kyle Lucas, executive director of Better Streets Chicago, told the board the group and a coalition of transportation and disability organizations had urged a "transparent and collaborative nationwide search" and recommended hiring an executive search firm and conducting stakeholder engagement. "I urge you as members of the Chicago Transit Board to resist any process shrouded in secrecy and hurriedness," Lucas said.

Several speakers called for delaying any appointment until after the Illinois legislative session concludes, citing ongoing conversations in Springfield and the risk of changes to transit funding and governance. "This process must not take place until after the spring 2025 legislative session in the Illinois General Assembly concludes," Lucas said. Other speakers, including Olivia Gahan and Holly Barnard, said they favored a leader with significant transit experience who regularly uses the system and can restore rider confidence.

Kevin Irvine, a former member of the Chicago Transit Board who serves on the Active Transportation Alliance board, urged the board not to select a president at this time and praised the acting leadership. "I fully support the letter sent to Chairman Barclay and Mayor Brandon Johnson by the organizations that make up the Transportation Equity Network and request that the CTA board not select a new president at this time," Irvine said.

Caroline Pavlovic, a member of the Citizens Advisory Board, told the CTA board the advisory body had not been consulted and urged the board to prioritize community input. "The CTA board should not approve any new president unless they were selected through an extensive and transparent search process that prioritizes community input," Pavlovic said.

Procedural actions taken at the meeting included a motion to permit two directors to participate remotely because of travel commitments. Director Ortiz moved the measure and Director Eddy seconded; a roll-call vote recorded affirmative responses from Directors Raquejo, Ortiz, Chairman Barclay, Eddy and Lee and the motion passed. Later the board voted to go into executive session under the Illinois Open Meetings Act (5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) and (3)); the motion to recess into closed session was moved by Director Lee and seconded by Director Eddy and carried on a roll-call vote. The board later voted to return to open session and then adjourned; the clerk noted for the record the meeting adjourned at 5:03 p.m.

Board members and staff did not take a public vote on appointing a new president during the meeting and did not announce any next steps for a search process on the public record. Acting CTA leadership was reported to be in Springfield addressing issues on behalf of the authority during the meeting; a staff member filled in at the meeting for that official.

The public comment record at the special meeting included advocates from Better Streets Chicago, at least one Citizens Advisory Board member and multiple resident riders. Speakers repeatedly emphasized transparency, rider experience, experience running large transit systems, and the timing of any selection relative to pending state legislative work. No formal board action on a presidential appointment was entered into the public record at the meeting.