That might be mistaken.
yes, I
Thank you, Patrick.
We'll see, okay.
I don't know.
Yes. Yes. I did not get to the quantum day.
To get back to me. Okay, so she's gonna find out whatever
Quantum is because she was the 1 that made the initial call
for me about it. Okay, so you see now I gotta find now I
need to know too. I just know there's a lot that I always
goes on.
with that 1
Welcome. Are you Audrey?
We gotta get you a microphone.
And I think that's the first thing. Okay that makes
We have watched it from my desk.
Hello, hello take it away.
somebody
will how are you fantastic good?
No problem. No, not today is gonna be hot the community
walk. Oh, okay, okay.
so
Oh.
turn
it so the genocide.
taking some family photos
Nicer than the city.
predecessor
that was so good. Okay. Yeah, it was a good deal.
Okay.
Yeah.
not that I
speakers
Correct. So I'm trying to keep you. I don't know. What 6
I mean they already okay.
You know.
so
I want to make sure I have a nice surface design. I got 1
in for study so
But it lets them know that's the main route but a study
would just show you what's possible.
So yeah, it's not locked in or commitments anything more
than like be part of a study resolution.
that. Oh my God, those are layers. How's it going? I'm
running it now.
Working my way up.
do you all the stuff? I was like, yeah, here you go. Bye.
They literally trying to put it on me right now what I was
like wait. Oh, no.
right
and that was
already
11:30 over here.
Good morning, everybody.
The uh committee on transportation and public way is now
called to order.
like that, brother
People standing up. We will now have a roll call to
establish a quorum.
Will the ottoman please make sure their microphones are
unmuted. Please note that your yes or present response will
be deemed to be a yes vote when the corn roll call is used
as a reference vote for later items. Thank you.
Gregory Mitchell
present
Vice chairman Andre Vasquez present Alma William Conway
chairman Jason Ervin
I'm Jessica Fuentes president.
ottoman jutes
chairman, Michelle Harris
chairman, Brian Hopkins
Alderman David Moore
Alderman Ronnie Mosley Alderman Moore is present, but I
have to be counted in.
ottoman Samantha Nugent president
chairman, Michael Rodriguez president virtual
ottoman Scott wages pack
almond Desmond. Yansi
there are 7 members present. We have a quorum.
Please be advised that Alum and Irvin.
Alderman goutieres Alderman Moore
Alderman Mosley
and Alderman Rodriguez has requested remote participation
on the rule 59 of the Rules of Order and procedure of the
city council. Can I get a motion to allow remote
participation for the above mentioned alderman?
Vice chairman Vasquez so moves on the motion all in favor.
Say I those opposed no in the opinion of the chair the eyes
have it?
Thank you chairman.
Thank you. Thank you at this time. We'll begin the public
comment period
out of respect for everybody's time.
Public comment will be limited to 30 minutes and each
speaker is limited to 3 minutes.
Okay.
So our first public speaker.
Is Jonathan Todd?
Is Mr. Todd?
Oh, wow. Yeah.
You're keeping time, correct? Okay, who who the time?
Keeper? All right. All right, Mr. Todd. You got 3 minutes.
I got 3 minutes and I ain't gonna take long. Okay. Okay,
first and foremost I wanted to say uh, thank you for
allowing me to speak.
the process of coming to speak
is
not great. It needs to be chairs out there.
I had a heart attack.
You got me standing up there.
Okay.
Stand up there.
That's that's not why I'm here. Okay. I'm here to speak on.
Iraqi
that a man that I
met years ago.
And that became a friend.
We wouldn't always friends.
you know and and this probably the best confirmation you
can make because we were always friends. We had some
difficulties but through that the transformation what I
have known from him.
Will I have seen from him?
and what he had gave in to the community the people
the strength that he has given everybody.
You know.
He good guy. He good guy.
And I know it's some other people in this room that can
testify that he a good guy.
you know, uh
And I can't say enough about them.
You know.
You know he I I'm honored to even sit here.
To be able to say this.
You know, but he he he is my man.
And I'm always gonna say that you know, and and I don't
think nobody can take this away from him.
But he is the strength of our community and he would do
good because he has always done good and our community.
in spite of
What's going on in the community?
You know, he stood up always stood up, you know.
murders killings
we marched on the street the whole 9 yards. But yeah, he a
good guy.
and and he will be
well deserving of this confirmation.
Thank you.
Thank you, but it was hard for words about the pastor.
All right.
our next speaker
will be Donald Drew
Let me let me let me let me give the respect due so good
brother this my maternity brother my brother. All right,
Mr. Go ahead. All right. Thank you very much. Good morning.
Everyone. Uh, it is indeed my pleasure to appear before you
today in support of the appointment of Pastor Rojay Ari as
a member of the Regional Transportation authority board.
Uh, I've served as the president CEO for habilitative
Systems Inc, uh for the past 34 years, uh in our community
primarily on the west side of Chicago, but also in
Englewood and other areas north, uh, we've seen a lot of
trauma we've seen a lot of pain within our community. We've
seen a lot of poverty we've seen a lot of folks who are the
victims of what has been called generational trauma. We see
the effects of epigenetics within our community and that is
the DNA strain of trauma over the generationals, um period
we realized that in each position such as this we need a
person who understands the needs of the community who
understands
The the challenge is that are before us who understands the
importance of 3 things, um policy purpose and of course.
Being able to move forward with the type of Um passion
purpose and policy that can ultimately make a difference in
the lives of so many.
Recently, I had the opportunity to work with uh, Pastor Ary
on a special initiative and that initiative was basically
entitled Ministry and mental health. Think about that for a
moment. The pastors are stepping up saying look, you know,
we've got to look Beyond just what we have in terms of my
resources, but then our various churches we got to look
into our communities. We've got to look at the helping
professionals and we've got to come together as
collaborative Partners to really make a difference with all
the challenges that we face within our community Pastor AI
is the kind of person that understands, you know how to
walk on policy and and embrace issues around policy. He
understands how to bring forth the needs of the people and
he also understands the needs of this particular, uh system
of government. Uh, we understand that there are folks who
are riding, uh, ill trains back and forth because they are
homeless, uh, many of whom have just recently been um
released from a correctional facilities. And so they ride
the trains, what do we do with these folks often times? We
say that folks don't fall through the cracks they fall into
another service system Pastor acree truly understands the
policy necessary.
To correct these social ills and to provide opportunities
for folks to be uplifted and live more meaningful and
beneficial life again. I stand in support of Pastor acri
and I appreciate your attention. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Drew.
Next speaker is Timothy p haustra?
Good morning morning. It's a real honor to be here today.
And I come uh as Reverend Tim Hoekstra who I work alongside
of Reverend acree, uh in the leaders Network on the West
Side have known him for a number of years and want to speak
in favor of his appointment to uh, the RTA board.
1 of the things about leadership that I respect the most is
when a leader does what he says that there's fruit, uh in
leadership and I see that every step of the way with
Reverend acree as he leads efforts for equality and justice
and equity on the west side and throughout the city of
Chicago. Uh, I think that's extremely important. I've been
a part of it. I've seen it he's a person of great integrity
and uh great leadership. He's a very thoughtful and can
think things through that might need to change to allow for
Better access in every way for transportation throughout the
city of Chicago, and so I simply want to say I think he
would be a fine board member I speak in favor of his
appointment and asked that he be considered from that
perspective. Thank you very much.
Thank you, sir.
next speaker
Deborah Williams Thurmont the mono
Is it the mono?
man
I said come on. Okay, it looked like an oh, hold on then.
Okay, so good morning. My name is Deborah Williams Thurman
and I am here on behalf. Also of Reverend Ira J Agri, um,
um, appreciate you all giving us this opportunity to speak
on his character. Um, Reverend Agri I serve with him on
what we call the leaders Network.
And we have 3 main, um leaders of that Network who has been
working and I've been working alongside of them as the
secretary for almost 20 years and I just know him up to be
an very upstanding outstanding, um gentleman and he's
always working and advocating on behalf of the people. Um,
we just recently worked hard and and came up with a
partnership to bring access to Capital to the west side. We
brought a
Um Credit Union to the west side with his leadership. He's
serving on the board of of the credit union. And so and I'm
a member of his church and he has a very um big heart for
our young people. And so with those kind of um,
characteristics he'll be great to serve on the regional
transportation board because these are the people that
aren't the most vulnerable people who use that um
transportation system the most and that I think that he
will Advocate on behalf of the people he will listen and
and be a great voice, um for the people and also, um,
listen and be fair and make sure that we have the budget in
place that we need to run our transportation system. And so
that's all I'd like to say today and this is my first time
doing this. So thank you all for the opportunity. Thank
you, Mr. Thurman. You did good.
Our next speaker will be George, Blakemore.
1 thing we don't need is more passengers. You look at the
west side.
The floor area and bacon a lot if he was so Dynamic just go
to the west side. And what is his experience and
transportation? How much money is he going to receive for
sitting on this board?
Some people don't know how government work. I've been to
Regional uh meetings because they pace and all of them. I'm
season at this.
If he was so good go to the hood.
on the west side
Anyway, when it comes to uh transportation and on the
public way these sidewalk cafes. They're always in the rich
area.
But extending their business in those on on the sidewalk
and you can't hardly walk up there on Rush.
Make them play.
Make them pay they're using the public way.
And now they got illegal children all on the public way
cutting hair the growth down there on vanilla and and
telling when I get on the public way and selling my goods
they lock me up.
And then say I've been charging on the public way and take
my pictures my artwork, so I'm very astute to government.
No, but I wasn't okay that about Reverend a that's 1 Thing
the black community do not need any more of these Rebels.
Because they're not doing nothing but using the people.
political hacks
So is he being you not supposed to ask question? I'm asking
this question. You don't have to answer do he get paid a
dozen 1 of these words to sit on that board.
If so, how much?
And why?
in experience
go to the hood.
Right his church and just see go look at the schools in his
community.
Just look how much that's look.
1 look
and transportation
1 Thing black people don't need anymore. These greedy head
religious or whatever you call them because they're not
serving their community.
So this is why it's very important for a man like Mr.
Blakemore to to come to these needs how you locked us out.
How you didn't start on time?
And everybody else is sour. I'm not pinging to you. You can
pay by us to serve us.
to serve us
Now rather than having therapist Community. If so, it
wouldn't look like they look.
Take a good look.
They left my minute they go to wherever you want to go to
some of you need to go to hell.
Thank you, Mr. Blakemore. Go to the get.
Our next public speaker is Taiwan Sims.
That way you look.
so big
that good morning committee. Good morning morning. Um
It's a lot of Truth in what Mr. Blake Moore just said.
Look at our communities look at the south and west side.
But also have you all read read been on the CTA?
the last few months
who?
What do y'all observe what if y'all observed?
the most
So 16 year olds 15 year olds.
Young adults all in groups all homeless all black Americans
they ride from Howard to 95th They Ride the blue red
And green line because I take these.
So we got a passed over here.
And then the word it says that.
The Lord said I'm the Good Shepherd. I lay down my life.
And so his words are true because for all the churches
spread around the South and the west side.
It's no improvement has not been Improvement bunch of
people in those congregations that when they get on them
trains. They look down on them, baby.
Don't even consider them.
But we here to consider him.
I had something else in store because it's important to me.
It's about my kid, but
my kid going to grow up my kid going to come right into
this situation.
These the the the the transportation system has become a
sanctuary.
A sanctuary for those kids that can't hang out in their
neighborhoods because they scared of being killed. They
police those the the um CTA RTA they police it. It's got a
bunch of new security dogs and bunch of police, but that
also now has a bunch of destitute children.
Riding in it. They ride all night to they smoke reefer.
They sell reefer they trying to survive.
And it's kind of odd because we got all this power in this
box right here automatic power. I came to talk about my
issue, but
my child gonna grow up.
my child gonna grow up and I don't know where to pass that
but um,
what do we get out of this? What do we get out of this as a
community, honestly?
here's a here's
recommendation. What does it serve the community? How will
it serve the community will y'all instantly go into those
areas and transform them?
Will y'all are y'all going to go and look for those kids
these 16 year olds these young adults that's riding around
trying to survive.
Will y'all I doubt that because y'all haven't it's a kid
riding around right now. He got 1 leg. I see him often.
I see a young girl. She about 15 I see her often.
No change no change for us, but it's going to be changing
this room. I guess suppose with the recommendation for
another black body.
Thank you Mr. Sams.
Our next speaker is Jessica Jackson.
Hello Alderman, Mitchell.
Morning morning. We supposed to have that meeting.
The meeting that you said that you was gonna get with the
person that's taking Iris Martinez place when me you and
Alderman Scott was standing in the hallway talking and if
you don't remember, I'll refresh your memory later because
I don't want to use my minutes on that. But you know what
it is. Okay. All right. Anyway, oh, you don't know what it
is. Okay. So what it is is that I was talking to you please
go. I I want you to get your I know you have a lot to say
so I don't want to we can talk later. Yeah. Yeah, let's
talk later. All right. Thank you.
Anyway about disappointment, but it's Pastor. The bottom
line is you need to keep politics out of the pool, uh, uh
politics out the pool pit and the pool pit out of politics.
It doesn't serve any good purpose at all. Now, here's the
whole group of black pastors that's getting paid by this
immigration stuff. They got caught on camera.
I'm sure he's probably 1 of them.
And you see and the bottom line is this?
If it's about his character, and I'm not saying he's not a
good person but I am saying is is he equipped to run
something this big ass a rapid transit system here in
Chicago. What I do know is that the black pastors are using
this issue with immigration?
To tap into money just like they used to crack epidemic to
get money in the 80s with those.
Now they're doing the same thing with this issue of
immigration. They're doing the same thing with these
appointments. It's not about if he got good character not
he probably does maybe as a pastor, but is he equipped to
be on a board of a Transit System?
Just like it's a pastor equipped to be on the school board.
Are they equipped for these positions? Are they appointed?
Because they people's boys because they got to hook up cuz
it's a money grab and you putting these people hands over
the city.
The city is already messed up. The city is already corrupt.
And you just gonna keep on doing the same thing.
Get some people that's qualified.
appoint them
let those people get elected people that's qualified. Look
at the condition of the black community and you see that
the churches and pastors are not qualified to head up
things in the community.
Start paying attention to the people if you're going to
have people out there waiting.
Before we can come and sit down.
Give them your undivided attention and look all around to
the next hook up y'all to discuss and you get on my nerves.
I want my meeting.
That's how I look when I see you. Great Mitchell.
Yeah.
Okay. Thank you. Miss Jackson.
Our next speaker is Nicole Yung bae.
Good morning. How y'all doing? Good morning. Um, my name is
Nicole Yung Bae and I just little Sidetrack, you know off
the subject for a minute, but I just want to speak to you
directly about my experience, you know, um
As everybody in this room knows homeless, you know.
And you put me and my husband Michael in touch with Gerald
Nichols from CTA. Okay. We did everything he asked for, you
know filled out the application did the exam online.
And I was called in.
I was called in for a track record. But that position it's
no way that I want me to do that. You know, you let the
heavy equipment materials and things it's no way that a
woman can do that, but in order for
Our family and I to get housing, you know.
I I'm sorry.
but um
Y'all you also put us in touch with.
Diane Mitchell
with all Chicago, you know and 1 of the things for us to
get housing was to find employment. That's what I'm going
with this, you know, but it's no way that a woman could
have did that job. No way that a woman could do that job,
but and I was I wasn't chosen for the job, you know.
So now because of that.
Can't get housing.
Can't get housing at all. They had us in the hotel.
We was in a hotel for 2 months.
all of a sudden
Then I continuing to do the hotel and I want to do the
hotel no more because we haven't found employment, but we
can't make nobody hire us. You know, we doing everything
that they're asking us to do.
to no avail
Then all of a sudden oh, well, we're not going to pay for
the housing anymore for the whole thing anymore. So now
we're right back at Square 1.
What are we supposed to do? We have a child.
A child with epilepsy, you know.
We need stable housing for our child.
Everything that they asked us to do we're doing it. We're
feeling our applications on our own. We're not just waiting
on them. We're doing applications on our own, you know.
Nothing is coming through.
We come here we're seeking assistance asking for help to no
avail.
To no avail, you know, we've reached out to everybody.
No, 1's willing to assist us.
But the migrants are getting all the help.
Everybody rolling out the red carpet for the migrants.
What About Us
What about the Chicago citizens?
Okay, Miss B.
Duly noted got all the information.
So our next speaker is Michael Young bae.
I don't even want to talk in no mic.
the my boys carry
but
you know, thanks for that. She ain't cry, but
me as a father the pain I got a deal with.
I said my child cry.
See my child constantly misplaced.
see me and my wife constantly misplaced and
I don't have been in this in this chamber and that chamber
cussing.
Because I I'm like man like what the f***?
Like what? You know, it's taking me outside of my character
and
it's showing me in a bad light and that ain't me.
But it's hurtful when people promise you a job.
And they don't even call your name.
You see I already got a record. I gotta fight with that
that I've been fighting with all my life.
Oh more than 25 years ago.
Taking shity jobs Etc, and I'm trying to provide for my
family and things like that.
I ain't coming down here for no damn show.
As people do get paid to endorse other people.
That man even the that man. I know what he did. I I it
ain't even my character to point out what he did and he was
wrong.
But it it fell on me.
I'm the 1 up.
You see I don't even be want to bring out certain things
and assassinate nobody cared or nothing like that because I
try to stay in love.
It says I've been coming down here. I've been getting the
discriminated against Etc. And I know what it is.
Even the damn news station discriminated against me. They
see me with my face on.
And it hurt because I ain't no black stone like some people
think you from the south side. You know, how them them guys
here is out there people think because you got a fair song
you a part of this and a part of that. I can be in here
throwing signs too. I ain't done. You ain't nobody the only
1 up in here. I'll bring the sky down, too.
But as a citizen as a man as a father a person should be
shown their respect you saying all this stuff about these
Pride when they going to be like Jesus and raised blasters
up.
when that going to happen
person screaming out for help and they can't nobody hit a
crack.
Stop playing with people lie.
Cuz it's all 1 number ignorant person and some people would
have got shot by now.
And it and it hurts that you have to bring your mentality
down because I was raised like that.
But I got to make y'all feel the message.
I got to get you to understand sometimes that's all y'all
understand. It's the anger.
the hurt
and I got a child bad years old been discriminated because
she has seizure better Salvation Army that they turned us
down for housing.
Because they try to pull up in the place where red ho is
generally and I did a mayor my damn.
With all the evidence on it and everybody like man. f***
you.
That's what it feels like.
I ain't come here for no damn game.
Versus trying to reach out for help as a good person and
everybody stand the hell with you.
People coming down here live. Hey you go 300. They got come
for this job and you go through it and I'm dressed. I'm
keep myself. Nice. I wear nice suits Etc.
I ain't no punked up on the damn street, but somebody
people be needing help.
Um our next speaker.
is uh Zoe Le
I feel for Michael Michael and his family and his daughter
has slept in my house plenty of times in the summertime
because of this whole situation. So I hope you guys will
help because that's not my job, but
As a people coming down here, I can see what's going on
with them and their daughter. But again, I'm gonna start
with this voicemail.
Open the long weekend.
um in any event
There are 3 things you can do if you want money for
demolish property if we're just talking about a little bit
of money the other money committee on finance and I'm
surprised they're all of them. I didn't mention that to
you. Um
If this is a more serious problem and I got it expected it
is and and before I fell out I'll get out. God God God. God
did not yeah. Okay, so he needs to get out. That's David
Moore because he has sold, uh himself out. Um,
I'm going to continue to come here because my generational
wealth was knocked down. This was not a house. This wasn't
a a little
The abandoned building this was for apartments with a whole
commercial property at the bottom.
Again, I'm in comedy. I'm in arts. I'm in a whole lot of
stuff matter of fact, I could have 4 apartments to rent
out.
to Michael and his and his wife and their daughter but
here I am coming to meetings every week.
to say the same thing until the federal judge decides to
make a ruling and until David Moore sell out self becomes B
is a man and sits down with my family and figure this out
because he still can go to committee on finance like he
still can make this right so for 20 black alderman,
women
black brown, whatever y'all say
I would like y'all to go and sit and talk with him the fact
that he cannot have no ego as a public servant.
How can he have an ego or a public servant? He he is the
reason why my building is not down. He is the reason that
for the the this summer I will be outside again. Like I was
last summer this time. I'm very acquainted with a whole
bunch of y'all and a lot of people know who I am now, so if
I got to go go to the outside and act a fool and then come
in here and still talk until y'all figure this out. This is
not fair. I don't want to be in here. I don't want to come
in here and I don't from all the the
Manipulant manipulative from the First Amendment how you
guys are trying to change everything around for us not
coming in here. It's going to be the same people and I'm
not going to stop I'm not going to stop I'm not going to
stop because I demand Justice and you anybody else will be
doing the same thing. This is my generational wealth.
Thank you. Um
If you guys don't mind, uh, an entry was submitted late, um
in my efforts to make sure everybody has an opportunity if
you guys don't mind I'm going to add 1 more. Is that okay?
All right, so this is
Jackie
I hate uh algae, all right.
Good morning. Um, thank you for allowing me to speak.
Uh, I know I was later getting here. Um, traffic is amazing.
But uh, anyway, thank you again. I'm here to speak on
behalf of Pastor IRA acri
Uh Pastor acri has been a long time.
friend and supporter
of the members
Over 90,000 members of SEIU Healthcare, Illinois, Indiana,
Kansas and Missouri.
There's not a time that we've asked pastor acri and he was
available to come out and support workers stand with them.
Uh
Speak on their behalf.
And uh just show up in a way that was not only pastoral but
it was uh community-minded. He's a pastor that I can say is
not just a pastor in the Pulpit. He comes out of those 4
Walls and he works in his community.
Uh, we've done partnership on souls to the polls and gotten
people to vote.
Uh the number of years and he organizes.
not just his church, but his community to go and vote and
not just to vote to do something in in terms of a Act of
what we um have the right to do.
But it's also um your responsibility and that's 1 of the
things that he stands for. Um, not just again in his
community but or in his church, but his community as well.
He also is a 1 of the leaders of the leadership Network.
And that is um Coalition or organization of a number of
Faith leaders from around the city that represent all types
of communities different people and for the same reason
Justice.
so I think Justice would be served here if Pastor agrees to
join this uh committee as he's been being appointed to and
I believe that what he can add to the committee in terms of
his knowledge his um,
Uh support to the community and just his character will be
beneficial.
So I thank you again for hearing me. Uh, and uh, I hope
that the decision is to approve Pastor acree. Thank you
very much.
right
Thank you.
Um that concludes the public comment period
Moving on with the agenda items I moved to approve the roof
45 report for the committee on transportation and public
way meeting held on April 10th. 2024. Can I get a motion
from Vice chair Vasquez to recommend approval Vice chairman
so moves on the motion all in favor say, uh, I I oppose no
opinion of the chair the eyes have it.
Today we have 8 items on the agenda.
Going out of order.
On page 3 item 9 is a substitute ordinance for a
miscellaneous item located in the 38th award. Can I get a
motion to accept the substitute ordinance into committee?
So move Vice chair Vasquez so moves on the motion all in
favor, say I those opposed no in the opinion of the chair
the eyes have it?
Going out of order again on page 3 item 8. This item will
be held in committee per the request of the mayor's office.
Um, although it's going to be held at this point. Uh,
ottoman Sherman viegas would like to speak on this item. Is
he still present the chamber? Oh there.
Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman and members of the
committee, uh an ordinance that I've introduced and have
been trying to work with the administration around some
common sense infrastructure improvements, whereas the
utilities and other folks that damage the sidewalks. Um,
and the sidewalks being 100% asset of the city of Chicago.
We should be taking advantage of uh, the utilities or those
who are repairing the sidewalks, um for pennies on the
dollar and so examples are for example people's guests
AT&T, uh, the folks that do, uh fiber around the city as
they're damaging the sidewalks. They're repairing only the
ones that they damage thus leaving the other ones other
structurally, um, structurally
inadequate and so what the ordinance would do is require C
dot, uh to work with these those utilities to put forward a
a plan for rehabilitation of the entire sidewalk, which is
a city asset. Uh, so that way the they can be intact and we
don't have to visit these sidewalks for another 30 or 40
years. Um, so it's a really a common sense, uh ordinance
that I'm still trying to work with, um, see that as well as
the mayor's office to to bring forward next month, but I I
will will be sending out a document um around um, what the
potential cost is and also what are some of the policies
that are already in place around
Restoration for streets as well as sidewalks. Thank you, Mr.
Chairman.
Thank you chairman viegas.
continuing on going out of order on page 3 and 4 includes
13 Orden from miscellaneous items introduced by the local
Alderman from Wards 8 192326272832 38404748 and 50. Can I
get a motion to recommend approval of this item so moved?
Item number 4 is so moves on the motion all in favor. Say I
I those opposed no.
In the opinion of the chair the eyes have it.
Will not vote on page 5 item 1 division of project
developments livable streets program ordinance.
202400000000. 8836
Whereas the City by and through the Department of
Transportation seeks to widen a section of West Leland
Avenue between Northwestern Avenue and North Lincoln Avenue
through the division of project developments livable
streets program, which seeks to support its Lincoln Square
Brown Line area improvements project by constructing a
public Plaza for a commuter Gathering located in the 47th
Ward.
Here to speak. We have lubrica banack Banick Project
Director C Dot
Good morning, chairman Mitchell co-chair Vasquez and
committee members. I'm Luka benak Project Director at the
Chicago Department of Transportation division of project
development.
Just uh waiting for this to load and then there will be
some exhibits.
Um, I am hearing before you today in support of our
proposal to open part of 47.
Do you see it up there? Sorry.
Okay, great. Okay, perfect. Um.
I'm appearing before you today in support of our proposal to
open part of 4715 Northwestern Avenue and 4635 to 4637
Northwestern Avenue effectively widening, Leland Avenue.
Sedat intends to open the properties as right of way and
include them in the Lincoln Square Brown Line area
improvements project planned for Leland Avenue between
Western and Lincoln Avenues and Western Avenue between
Montrose and Leland Avenue. The project is currently in
design and construction is anticipated to start this year.
oops
Um part of 4715 Northwestern Avenue is currently unimproved
and abuts West Leland Avenue to the South and Western
Avenue to the West it effectively acts as public right of
way with existing sidewalk and Street. The project
improvements will include new sidewalk curb and gutter
Street lighting trees Ada ramp and Street resurfacing.
46354637 Northwestern Avenue is currently unimproved and
abuts the Western Brown Line CTA station to the South and
Western Avenue to the West it effectively acts as public
right away with existing open Plaza space. It's pictured
here on the south on the bottom half of the image above.
and the project improvements include a new Plaza including
new pavement lighting seating landscaping and bike parking
that will serve as a gathering space for the community as
well as Transit writers.
The department of Planning and Development has agreed to
open the properties as right of way.
The project is within the 47th board and Alderman Martin
supports both the project and the openings.
And that concludes the presentation so I'm happy to answer
any questions that you may have.
Thank you Luba. Um.
Are there any questions from committee members?
Jaime Vasquez
Thank you chairman. Uh, no no question for me. I just
wanted to um, really voice my support for the project as
uh, the neighboring Ward. This is almost on the border, uh
to see those kind of improvements. Um, we're talking
through the transportation as well as um, really creating a
lot of um, uh, bicycle infrastructure along Leland is
greatly welcome. And so yeah in support and just want to
make sure to to put that on the record, uh, thank you so
much.
Thank you Vice chairman any any any comments from members?
All right, the committee has received and reviewed a letter
of support from ottoman Martin. There is no compensation
due for this project.
With that said can I get a motion from chairman Tyler
pharaoh to recommend approve this item?
Is that a committee vice vice chairman Andre Vasquez so
moves on the motion all in favor say I I oppose know in the
opinion of the chair the eyes have it. Thank you.
Well, not the order on Page 6 item 1 amendment of release
of calmed and Illinois bail easement for grit ordinance.
202400000000. 8669
and amendment to vacate
the area bounded by East 26th Street South Lake Park Avenue
East 34th Street and South Dr. Martin Luther King Drive to
authorize release of utility easement benefiting and con
man in Illinois bail. This property is located in the
fourth ward.
Here to speak on this item. We have Cynthia Rubik from uh,
Deputy Commissioner dpd and Mariah therino attorney Des
Piper.
I thank you chairman. Um, good morning members of the
committee chairman Mitchell. Um as you noted, my name is
Mariah. Durinho with a law firm of dla Piper we represent
grit Chicago, which is the developer of Bronzeville
Lakefront selected by the city for the former Michael
recite. Um, I'm with Cindy Rubik of the Department of
Planning and Development as well. This is a rehearing on an
ordinance that you heard in
March um you recommended approval of as well. Um, there was
an error in the transmit of that ordinance package to the
clerk's office. So today's hearing is to just correct that
error, um, everything you see here is the same as what you
saw last time no changes to the vacated areas, um, or the
terms of the easement. Um, the alderman is in support and
we would ask for your favor favorable recommendation and uh
are here to answer any questions.
Well, thank you. That's a move to pass Mr. Chairman.
Obviously. This is a mere scrivener's error that we're
correcting here. So.
You are you are correct. Um.
The committee has received and reviewed a letter of support
from ottoman Robinson. There's no compensation to the
project and if there's no members that wish to speak on
this item, can I get a motion uh from chairman?
Hopkins
Chairman Hopkins so moves on the motion all in favor. Say I
I all oppose any opinion of chair of the eyes have it.
Thank you. Thank you guys.
going out of order Page 6 item 2 Neighborhood Housing
Services for Chicago ordinance, 202400008835 a proposed
vacation and dedication of alleys and the block bounded by
West Chicago Avenue West hearin Street North Central Avenue
and North Monticello Avenue. The property is located in the
27th Ward here to speak on this item. We have Ernest
Bellamy project manager Department of planning.
And development and Mariah the Greenough attorney the LA
Piper.
Good afternoon, and everyone. Um, just give me 1 moment of
pulling up the presentation.
Great.
Good afternoon, chairman Mitchell and members of the
committee.
For the record, my name is Ernest belme with the Department
of planning and development.
I am appearing before you today in support of a proposal.
For an ally vacation and dedication. Um
between the address range 3601 through 25 West Chicago
Avenue
Uh, the address range consists of 2 Parcels which an
existing Alleyway with an existing Alleyway in between
them. The sum total square footage of the portion of the
alley to be vacated is 1,257 square feet.
And the total square footage for the portion of the alley
to be dedicated is 2,442 square ft.
The alleys are located in the 27th Ward Alderman Walter
Burnett Junior and the Humble Park Community area.
The parcels are also located within the Chicago Central
Park Tiff.
And they've related the project is the a the developers are
kmw communities and POA.
uh who was selected
Uh, the selected respondent to The Humble Park Chicago
Avenue in Southwest RFP, uh by dpd in 2021.
Williams of kmw communities and Chile DeGraff, uh of Paul or
in the audience, um as well, um, and uh Alderman Bernett
has previously expressed support for the overall project.
overall, uh what you see on the screen is is the bounds of
the um development proposal that was um proposed through
the RFP.
um kind of
breaking down the site, uh
Uh, the city-owned portion, uh is in the dashed, uh, red
outline. Whereas NHS owns the uh parcel that's shaded in
yellow the portion of the existing Ali to be um vacated is
shaded and and purple whereas a a portion of the existing
NHS site, uh,
the southern portion, uh shaded in green will be the
portion to be dedicated. Um as a egress in and out of the
existing alley,
The proposed Redevelopment will span the the face of Chicago
Avenue repurposing the portion, uh to be vacated.
Uh Ali into a ground floor office space, um parking as well
as a a courtyard Plaza for the developments residents and
community.
uh to be concise, uh again in site plan is um,
The portion to be vacated and dedicated again shaded in
purple and green.
um
and from here, uh, this concludes my presentation and I'm
happy to answer any questions that you're or members of the
committee may have
thank you, Mr. Belly. Are there any uh questions from the
uh committee?
members at the committee
All right, the committee has received and reviewed a letter
of support from ottoman Barnett. There's no compensation do
this project. Can I get a motion from ottoman Nuen to
recommend approval of this item? So moved. I'm a man so
moves on the motion all in favor say I I those opposed no
in the opinion of the chair the eyes have it.
Thank you. Um, we have been joined by chairman Harris and
will be added to the role for purposes of quorum.
Continue 1 and going out of order on Page 6 item 3 CTA
controlled and Training Center ordinance 202400000 8833 a
proposed vacation of North Harding Avenue between West
Kinsey Street and West Lake Street along with the Ali
segments in the block bounded by North Pulaski Road North
Harding Avenue West Kinsey Street and West Lake Street.
These properties are loaded located in the 37th Ward.
Here to speak. We have Joe hamini.
director of Real Estate
Good afternoon, chairman Mitchell and members of the
committee. My name is Joe harming. I'm with the Chicago
Transit Authority. I am the director of Real Estate.
For the CTA. Um, I I appear um today, um before you on
behalf of this project, which is the training and control
center operations, um facility that is being a new facility
that's being built. Um near our West Shops location at
Pulaski and Lake Street.
um
as part of this project
as you can see, this is the project area.
Uh, we will we will be seeking your approval for
uh vacations and dedications
There we go.
in this area
for the new training center.
The proposed vacations and dedications are shown on this
map.
uh the first vacation
in this area right here is uh vacated North Harding.
This is the adjacent alley.
That will be vacated and then a new dedication of an ally.
Right here between Harding and Pulaski.
This project has received support from the alderman MMS.
And um it it's also been approved by the um, it has a uh by
the plan commission. So if there's any questions,
Thank you. Are there any questions?
From the members of the uh committee.
Uh, the committee has received and reviewed a letter of
support from ottoman mitts. There's no compensation due
this project. Can I get a motion from chairman Harris
recommend approval of this item?
Chairman Harris so moves on the motion all in favor. Say I
those opposed no.
In the opinion of the chair the eyes have it. Thank you.
Going out of order on page 2 item 1 as a mayor or ordinance
for the appointment of Ira J acri as a member of the
Regional Transportation authority board.
20224000000 82024 0 0 0 8919 appointment of Ira J acri
member of the regional transportation board for a term
effective immediately and expiring July 1st 2027 to succeed
Thomas J kotel who has resigned.
All right here to speak.
Mr. J. Akeley, I don't have an IRA acree and I'm humbled to
appear.
Before you guys today, let me share some of my
qualifications that would benefit the RTA board.
I have 25 years of experience in civil rights. Advocacy
experience in crisis management. We've recently
found that the leaders Network Financial a partner of Great
Lakes Credit Union.
CTA was pivotal in my educational Journey.
from grade school to being a commuter college student at
UIC
so safe.
qualitative and accessible Transportation allowed me to
access
better schools and to be Expo exposed to other
neighborhoods
So I understand.
Parking downtown is rather expensive as you know, so my
budget often requires when I'm here that I travel via CTA.
I understand the critical role of excellent public
transportation.
I bring a unique perspective to the board. We all win when
the board is composed of diverse individuals who who
represent different Networks.
I also bring a commitment to level leveling the playing
field for all that's who Ira acree is.
I am Mrs. Pad wear young woman who attends my church and
uses public transportation to get to CPS to educate our
children. I Am David Cherry a fellow Advocate who uses CTA
to get to his Chicago All-Stars project downtown office to
Mentor Youth. I am my
collabora business partner Anna Marie Torres a small
business owner who uses RTA to get to work if I'm given the
honor
to serve on this board the voice of urban Chicago will be
represented.
Very well. Thank you very much.
Thank you, Mr.
um
members obviously members of the committee would like to
ask questions first. We have uh, Vice chairman Vasquez.
Thank you very much, uh, good morning, uh, good afternoon,
uh Transportation committee colleagues. Um, I want to thank
Pastor Ira acree for being such a strong Community leader,
uh for his faith and for his commitment to equity and
public engagement. Um, I have to be honest. Uh, this is
just agenda has me a little conflicted.
Uh, as a result of this process I have been able to learn of
of Pastor acree's great work in the community to address
violence to lead congregation to engage publicly with an
activist Spirit here in our city and state.
Uh, I've learned of the good reverence passion for building
black entrepreneurship and empowerment in Chicago, and I'm
greatly inspired by it.
Uh at the same time, uh, we find ourselves in a time of
serious challenge when we think of our public
transportation systems at both the city and state level,
uh, as a result of what I believe to be failed leadership
at the Chicago Transit Authority.
uh, we have seen our public transportation fail to come
back to pre-pandemic levels, uh the way other comparable
cities have
Uh before the pandemic we had enough challenges with a
looming fiscal fiscal cliff and transportation deserts and
communities of color that have been in many ways continue
to be marginalized.
our neighbors across town who rely on our public
transportation system to get to work to get their kids to
school to get connected to all the amazing opportunities
and locations that our city has to offer they are being
done a great disservice by the very city government they
elect to improve services.
Uh some in leadership positions believe that the very
necessary and healthy critique of our transit system is
only of concern to those on the North side or the young
white progressives. Uh, it's an unfortunate perspective
when we know that our neighbors on the south and west side
who have come to council and to this committee to deliver
public comment have said time and again that they want a
safer train system that they feel afraid to ride the system
because of the lack of support systems to address those who
are homeless or suffering from mental health challenges or
substance use disorder.
Public transportation is a public good that everyone in our
city deserves as a right.
The public deserves a city government that gives this issue
the proper attention and is a responsibility. Each of us is
charged with
As such uh, I believe it is imperative that those who we
appoint to our transportation boards at this time need the
experience necessary to help hold the different agencies
accountable.
It is it is the weight of that responsibility in this
moment that is giving me a different perspective as it
relates to this appointment and what guides ultimately how
I will avoid vote. Um, I do have questions for the pastor
who I believe to be a man of great heart faith and
commitment so that I can gain a better understanding as we
consider the appointment.
Uh first uh Pastor acree. Can you share with us your
experience as it relates to transportation and Transit? Uh,
for example, when's the last time you rode public
transportation? How often do you ride it? Uh, yeah.
Well, use using public transportation has has been my lived
experience.
uh grew up in it, you know as a child you my mother was a
nurse and my father was a truck driver they work long hours
and uh many times they were not able to take me to school
and I took public transportation, uh to Nash Elementary
schools, which was out of my neighborhood and I went to up
north same school as um, almond Nicks was went to uh, I was
able to get exposed to a quality school and very nice
neighborhoods, and it was because of safe.
Qualitative First Rate, uh time they transportation systems
that I was able to do that also was a commuter student. I
wasn't able wasn't able to afford to go out of uh State, uh
went to UIC. We used to call it Circle and I used to get on
the green line to uh, come to to their school and to go to
work down there at um, UIC accounting services. Um,
as a man
I use uh, I don't have to use CTA.
I'm I'm fortunate to have a car.
But I used to CT often when I come down because even though
I'm a working Pastor, um these prices these parking tickets
are super high. And so when you compare coming down at at
275 $2.75 since that's much better than $40.
Yeah, and so, um the last time I was here, um on last time
I wrote the bus in was this morning? Okay. Thank thank you
for that. Um, uh, next question I have is what
conversations have you had with Mayor Johnson and his
administration regarding the current state of CTA. Uh, uh,
and what what is your understanding of what that vision is
for transportation here in the city.
I have not talked with Mayor Johnson.
I have not talked with him. I I looked at.
the situation
I know that I came up on CTA.
and I know the Glory Days I looked at my own leadership
skills my ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders.
My ability to navigate complex issues my ability to drive
positive change and I thought it would be a great
opportunity to come in and share my wisdom and the network.
Works that I represent that's what drove me to this. It
wasn't what it wasn't a conversation with the mayor.
Thank you. Thank you for that. Uh next uh a number of us,
uh city council members. I think by public record about 8
members of council currently would like to see new
leadership as it relates to the CTA president. Um, what do
you think of the job president Doro Carter is doing as the
president of CTA
I think would be unfair for me to to grade him today. Uh, I
would like to have the time to have access to all the data
and information that the board has and talk with employees
and even talk more uh with councilman. But today, uh, I I
think it would be unfair to try to pass judgment on his job
with limited information. I appreciate the thoughtfulness
as far as thinking through a process to get that kind of
Engagement. Um kind of as a follow-up do uh, obviously you
have congregation and networks. Do you hear from any of
them as far as what their current experiences with CTA like
has any yeah many people complain about quite frankly, uh
about Ghostbusters ghost, uh trains because the the reality
is if you have this this Venture app,
And it says a train or bus is going to be in 5 minutes and
then later on it changes and says 30 minutes that could be
the difference between being 15 minutes early for your job
or 15 minutes late for your job. And if you're going to be
late for your job multiple times.
That could ultimately cause you to lose your job.
Um many people are not fortunate, you know, I take public
transportation by choice other people use it by 4. They
have no other options. They can't afford to uh take uh, the
the the lifts and uh Ubers and they can't afford the
exorbitant parking fees and pay extra money for gas. So
they have to use public transportation. Yeah. Thank thank
thank you. Um, I've got 2 more questions. Uh, so right now
at the state level in Springfield, there's a conversation
about merging different agencies, right? So the CTA, uh,
when you think of of the State, uh transportation system of
merging into 1 because he's different systems.
Don't coordinate in a way that's not a way to hold that
kind of leadership accountable. Uh, what are your thoughts
about merging kind of the city transportation system the
state in a way that could benefit. Um, yeah, what are your
thoughts on that? I think it's worth the having that
conversation. Uh, I've been hearing both sides. There's the
proposed merger of RTA. Pardon me of CTA pace and Metro.
That is a
Topic open for great debate on 1 hand. There's a compelling
argument for the merchant suggestion that consolidation
could lead to Stronger more efficient Transportation, if
implemented implemented, uh properly and responsibly but
conversely there's another argument. There is Merit in
maintaining the independence of each Service Board as an
income and board member, I believe it's important to
withhold judgment.
Until equipped with the relevant data and information
available to board me Members currently. Additionally. I I
value input from the Riders whom I interact with on a
weekly basis and they are actually the ones that will
ultimately here to serve. So I I I reserve that response
for now. I think I would benefit from even hearing from the
current board members. Sure. Thank you. Uh, so I kind of as
I stated at the outset for me, it's a bit of a conflict not
because of the benefactor of the process but a concern
about the process itself when you think about the state
we're in when we're talking about Transportation. Um, and I
want to be clear about that because in the conversations
we've had um,
I'm clearly understanding about how invested you are and and
what you do bring not only just for this position but
actually for the whole city. And so I appreciate that. Um,
the last question I got for you is
What do you want? The city's Transportation actually look
like like, you know, you know what you've experienced. We
know what the challenges are. What do you imagine? It can
be?
first of all, I I don't I think
I want What the residents want what the Riders want safety.
Nobody should be afraid to put their children on buses and
trains to go to school. No 1 should be feeling as if their
lives are being threatened when they're going to their jobs
or if they have to if they want to take their family those
who can't afford to to have these uh take Uber rides and
they want to take their family on a trip. I want them to
feel safe. But also I want um,
Safety is as well as adequate service. I I I believe.
You know I uh have relationships. I'm a I'm a 1 of the I'm
a graduate of uh, North Park and I'm up there quite often
speaking and I've been on Transportation on that side of
town.
And then I'm on Transportation on this side of town and
there is some great disparities.
If I'm on that board, I certainly will speak to that the
disparities that exist because we are 1 City and we all
should be treated equally everybody has a right to the tree
of life even in the realm of Transportation.
Thank you for that. So, uh, you know last month we had uh,
the appointment of uh, Pastor Eddie to the CTA board and
uh, similarly as I extended the invite to him. I extended
to you uh want to find time to actually
1 make sure that disparity gets to non-existent when you
think about what it's like on certain parts of town and
where you don't have in other places sure and so um, uh,
although I will be uh voting the way I plan to and we'll
get to that Voice vote. Um, I do want to make sure that
should you get this appointment that we do find
Opportunities to partner because we all got to work
together to make sure that everyone wherever they live in
the city of Chicago can get to wherever they want through
our public system. So thank you so much. Thank you
chairman, okay.
Thank you Vice chairman. Um, we have questions from ottoman
Conway followed by
I don't know why just back followed by ottoman Fuentes.
Um
First off. I'd like to say I I want to commend uh, Alvin
Vasquez for his views. I share his his grave concerns
regarding the state of public transportation, um in our
city, uh, and and following up on on some of his questions.
Uh, he asked about the merger between CTA RTA.
Metra and pace which oddly enough would be called the MMA
probably would be an MMA to put him together.
tough tough room here anyway, so um, uh, but if if when if
that were to come together,
what do you think the qualifications or criteria for the
leader of that organization should uh should be
well, that'd be a huge assignment and uh
It would not be a job for the Fein and heart.
Um, I think that person must have strategic vision and
planning skills.
I'll just say it like this. Um
in my faith tradition, we have a scripture that says
without a vision people perish must be a person with vision
and a person who has a strategy to implement it the leader
must possess strategic vision and planning skills to
navigate the complexities that will come when you merge
these multiple, uh, service boards and multiple
Transportation agencies, but
Not only that. It must be a person who has collaborative
leadership. He must be able to be a consensus Builder a
person who can collaborate with diverse stakeholders that
includes employees board members elected officials and
especially the community residents the leadership excel in
building consensus because you're going to have to Foster
teamwork in the event that this merger takes place and it
also must be a person that um is a skilled Communicator
because you you you must communicate transparently and
effectively to all parties involved because it's going to
be if that happens if it's inevitable. I don't know that's
going to be a serious undertaking so strategic vision and
planning collaborative leadership number 2, uh number 3, uh
experience in transportation management. I don't think a
novice someone who is an experience should be
The CEO it needs to be somebody who has deep understanding
of transportation management including public transit
systems and infrastructure. All of that is essential for
leading the merger of our of CTA pace and Metric if that
happens and then also a change agent a person who is
familiar with change change management and adaptability.
And another question that would follow up on on my
colleague's questions. Do you have uh a personal
relationship with the current head of the CTA Dorval
Carter?
No, I don't.
um, great, you know, um
That's all I have. I would say that you know, I think the
board of the RTA does.
Need to have transportation engineers and people that are
familiar in that area. But I also think it does it does
require people that have their
pulse on the on the community and um
having uh, known Pastor acri for a while and and attended
services at at Greater St. John Baptist Church, maybe half
a dozen times. I I believe he does have
the pulse of the community a community that has not enjoyed
Equitable Transportation access and as a result of that. I
will be uh supporting his nomination. Thank you Patty.
Thank you very much.
Thank you ottoman. Um ottoman wages back.
other bioluminescence
thank you chairman, uh, good afternoon. Um, I was just uh,
I was listening to some of your answers to um,
some of the questions that came up and
uh, the first thing that kind of struck me is interesting
was that you haven't have not had a conversation with the
mayor about this appointment. Why not?
You're being appointed to the RTA 1 of the most important
agencies for decades. Well, 4 decades and for decades to
come and I'm wondering just why you haven't had a
conversation with them.
First first of all, he's a busy guy.
And because I have a access to him, I don't call him since
he's been in the uh in the mayor. I probably haven't called
him 3 times, you know, I just respect. Uh, he's he's the
leader of a busy City. I have talked with somebody from his
staff. I talked with Audrey. I talked with Reverend
Reverend Evans. Um, but I haven't talked with him about
this position. I mean, this is very important, but he's got
much bigger fish to fry.
Well, I would agree with you. But um, I think I think when
your point I'm sorry, when you're appointed to position
like this the person that's appointing you should be
explaining why they are pointing and should understand.
the needs of the system um, and the needs that they're
going to have for the person who's pointing and I I know
you've touched on a few things and I don't want to diminish
the fact that you are a very, uh, great leader in your
community and you've um, we actually met at a different
appointment process where I was I I think you were very
well.
Um versed in what the needs were for the west side and I I
do appreciate that. Um, but we're looking at a few issues
here with um with the RTA with the CTA with Pace, um some
questions that are
I think going to really test the ability of not only
oversight members but of the staff and the leadership of
these agencies. Um, so 1 of my questions is
uh, and I I know you just said that you're going to get in
and you're going to learn you're going to listen to people
but what is your position on the 730 million dollar
shortfall for this agency? Uh by the Year by the end of
2025. How will you address that issue?
Well, and I'll give you I'll just give you a little hint
first. So this has been a conversation that we've had in
several meetings here that we've made the mayor's office.
Very aware of with Congressional members with state
senators state representatives with the governor's office
that the 730 million dollar shortfall is just 1 piece of
that pie. That is just around the corner with no answer yet
for how to address it. So, how would you address it? Well,
well number 1. This is my first time hearing about a 735
million shortfall and so I wouldn't want to uh respond to
that today without uh, you know, uh doing the research.
Okay. Yeah, um,
Well, so 1 of 1 of the other issues that will come up with
that that we're trying to address, uh, regionally and I
think cmap has done a good job. There is a report out from
cmap. I don't know if you've read that report. Um, it's
very comprehensive. It's been out for quite a while now,
but 1 of the big issues there is fair integration. How do
you feel about Fair integration?
General ass support, um their discoveries. Okay? Yeah.
And that that's basically, you know, when you hop on to
these other systems if you're coming off CTA.
You're into a different fare system. So we we feel it does
need to be integrated. Um.
You know as a board member you're going to be paying, uh,
very close attention. I think to the funding the issues of
fair integration.
modernization of the system um compatibility of the system
uh
And it seems like the leadership at CTA. Uh, and this has
been going on for a few years now coming out of Co
has really dropped the ball on how to get the CTA moving
forward.
Um, you've already mentioned the ghost trains ghost buses.
That's a serious problem. I think they've tried to address.
Um, have you talked to a lot of the employees of the CTA in
these other agencies to get a sense of where they sit in
this process and what input they would have I talked with
employees and I've talked with writers and you know, you
get mixed get this it's it's a mixed bag. Yeah for the most
part, you know some are downloaded and you know some either
way the wing Go is is fine with them.
um
what and and I'll go back to leadership. Um, that'll be my
last question. Um,
I know you said it's unfair to grade leadership. Um
You you want to with you think it's important to withhold
judgment until you get on the board?
I would have to disagree with you. I think it's very
important to know before you go into this position.
Um
What some of your judgments are going to be of leadership?
There's been a pretty uh, I think extensive record created
by this committee.
Through lengthy conversations. Um, which frankly it did
take a long time to get President Carter to the table to
actually discuss these points. Um, and we're not just
talking about the CTA we're talking about the other
agencies. I understand but I think it's imperative for
somebody to come in and say I have a I've really observed
very closely over the last few years the
somewhat, uh, the the leadership failures not overall, but
in some aspects of getting this agency back on its feet and
saying that you will be critical.
Of that leadership and look for more thoughtful leadership.
I I think we're the only major trans transit system or a
city that has a transit system that has not looked
critically at this leadership and said it's time for a
change.
And reached out to other Transportation experts people. We
we churn out Transportation experts from our our
universities here in Chicago. Um more than just about any
other state yet.
We're lacking in that leadership.
um both at the CTA and the RTA, so
I just think it behooves you to come here, you know before
us today and say you're going to look at these things very
critically, and you already have some.
ideas that I haven't heard what I can say to you today is
that uh, when you look at the state of CTA, certainly you
cannot come in and maintain the status quo. There must be
some change change must be imminent. But by the same token,
I as much as I respect you and I watch your work. I must
say this to you. Uh, I have to agree to disagree. I think
it would be very Reckless to come in here and say I'm going
to fire the oval Carter now, I don't think that that's not
my Approach.
I and I understand that. Um, I'm just saying that some of
us have been working on this for several years.
Trying to get that momentum to look for that new leadership
and no offense to him personally. I've met with him many
times, but it took uh a lot of tugging and pulling to get
him to the table to actually admit the problems based on
existing data and the data doesn't lie the statistics don't
lie. So that's that's where I'm coming from. But I go ahead
I'm I'm done questioning good. I appreciate your when you
look at the challenges and the complexities of CTA and
you're trying to progress and move forward.
I think everybody is fair game. You know, nobody can
escape, uh, any kind of scrutinization and I hope that you
give that scrutiny.
When you're on the board, thank you. Thank you, sir.
Appreciate it.
Thank you.
Thank you Autumn. Um.
Autumn and Fuentes
Thank you chairman Mitchell. Uh, and thank you Pastor Eric
for being here today, uh part of the rta's responsibility
includes the financial and budgetary oversight of CTA Metra
and Pace often including improving Capital plans, uh for
all 3 metric for all 3 transit systems. If you walk me
through what capital Improvement plans you believe these
transit systems need particularly on the south and west
side on the West Side. Um, certainly we need major capital.
Improvement, um when you compare the west side and the south
side and then go to north side, it's it's like you're in a
different city. So certainly we we need uh, some major
investment. Um,
on our sides of town
Okay.
Is there anything specific that you're looking to see in
some of these Community areas now, uh, we want to improve
Capital Improvement. But we also want to invest in making
it safer. Uh, we we need more security. We need to look at
measures that we can uh put in place so people won't have
to fear for their lives when they're traveling, um on the
blue line or the green line or going up north or going
south.
I understand. I understand your political position and
wanting to refrain from making any comments on President
Carter. I can understand that.
But can you walk me through what you believe currently is
wrong with our transit systems.
Yeah, uh, certainly.
number 1
on all sides of town. We need First Rate, uh service and we
also need to make sure.
bus and transportation
Pardon me bus and trains are on time. And I also believe
that we need to uh, invest in more employees because um,
people say people don't want to work. I still believe
people do want to work if they give an opportunity and the
opportunity and they're paid properly.
You know so uh in every area.
Of CTA if we're going to return to what I consider the
glory is what when I went to college and high school, we
got to make sure safety is up to par. We got to make sure
that uh, there's First Rate quality. We got to make sure
they are timely and we all I mean the services the buses
and the trains and we also got to make sure that they are
accessible and that no 1 or no Community, uh is Left Behind
I appreciate that response all major cities like La New
York have been able to restore their public transit system
to Prior pandemic rates. Uh, can you walk me through why
you believe the great City of Chicago has been incapable of
doing so
That's that's a a a a trick question. I must add you know,
because clearly that.
That this uh, CTA leadership must do a better job. Does it
qualify as like get rid of them, but they must do a better
job. That's just the bottom line.
I hear you. I understand why you may think it's a trick
question, but it's not I think look as elected officials.
We have a more obligation to address public good issues
like Transportation just like in a few minutes. We're going
to address public housing.
When there is a system that doesn't work for our people.
We must seek to transform it that is just our moral
obligation. This particular appointment is to the RTA. It's
a 5-year term. Okay, 5 years of a leadership that we must
be able to depend on it is important for me that whoever we
appoint understands the severe issues that we have here in
the city of Chicago, and I'm I'm about to go to that other
room and and be as concerned about our inability to House
people in the city of Chicago. Look to make a great City
great.
We need great public transportation and we need great
public housing. Absolutely and these are 2 systems that
have currently
And historically failed our people. Yes.
And so I understand your political position. We all take
political positions and sometimes we got to say things that
make us uncomfortable.
Yeah to be on the right side of history and I have no
problem doing that. In fact, that's why um taking this
position is critical for me because I have been an
advocate. I have spoke out. I speak truth to power and I I
see this as an opportunity to opportunity as an extension
of my work to be able to not just stand on the outside and
hold protests and say you guys need to make this happen
being on the inside with access to power. I can be very
instrumental in making sure that it does happen.
I understand it my final question just because I I want to
be able to clarify in 2 of my colleagues asked in 2
different ways. I want to fully understand when you were
um, when you got the Outreach in the phone call that you
were being selected to be appointed to the RTA board. Did
that phone call not come from the mayor? No, let me say I I
I expressed interest in the position. Yes, and I contacted
uh someone from his office.
And he told me to to fill out the application and so when
you were selected for the appointment who gave you the
phone call.
I believe it was. Uh, I got a response from 2 people, uh
lady named Jill.
And Reverend Evans Bill Evans. And when those folks did
reach out to you, did they share the transportation Vision
that the mayor has for the city of Chicago? They told me
there was some major challenges they did.
but the vision for how we restore Transportation equity in
the city of Chicago and how we grapple with some of the
challenges was that Vision shared they shared shared, uh
pieces of that. Yes, they did in a form of an email
documentation on the phone know verbally verbally, yeah,
okay.
Thank you Pastor. I appreciate you being here today.
Thank you. Um Pastor. Can you elaborate on your interests?
You said that you expressed to them? Can you can you can
you tell us what exactly it was your interest lab and serve
it on the board?
I see the I see that.
The CTA as everyone has said needs help.
and I make the
I suggest that I'm the person who could provide what it
needs because I looked at the board.
And I see various businessmen.
Successful people great people, but there needs to be some.
diverse voices
and I'm a person who has a unique skill set.
Uh, I have the ability to collaborate with diverse.
Leaders and diverse. Um
stakeholders
I have navigated through very complex issues.
I know how to get things done. I'm over here in Austin on
the west side.
And we came together.
Various pockets of our organization and we brought a 1
billion dollar Credit Union to Austin. We are a branch an
extension of Great Lakes Credit Unions, the leaders Network
Financial. We know how to get things done, uh with the
networks that I'm associated with and connected to and I
think it would be a benefit. Um,
I offer my life as service quite frankly. Do I need this?
This is an opportunity. I think I can help my city.
to be better
Thank you Pastor. Um next we have uh chairman Harris.
Thank you, Pastor Ari. Um, I just want to operate a few
comments as as we move forward.
I think that Reverend Aries and a great position to
represent people of color.
To go down there and be the vert the voice and the vision
of people that look like me and look like my community.
Because you understand because you boots on the ground
because you have relationships with people across the black
perspective of the city of Chicago. And I think that will
provide a different set of circumstances a different Vision
a different conversation and also bringing some really
difficult decisions about why there has been a lack of
investment and the black community
I've got
6 or 7 metro stops in my community. Why did it take me 12
years to get 3 of them improved.
So when we talk about the regional plan and I am Regional
rich and I want to let you know I got bus stops. I got
Metro everything I got I got it in my community everything
but the train system, but I say that it's a problem. The
stations are unclean. The buses aren't clean. There's just
the different perspective on our side of the of the
community. And so what I am happy to see that it's going to
be somebody who I can pick up the phone to and I can say
here is what
What I need you to work on behalf of my community. Here's
what I need you to work on for the black folks that live
here in the city of Chicago. So I'm excited and I'm
thrilled about having somebody that I know their name.
I know who they are. I know their character.
And so that means a lot to me and when I go back into my
community, it's going to mean a lot to them to have
somebody that reflects it becomes a mirror. And like I
said, it's really important to be able to have a back and
forth with some of the folks that are making decisions for
us and have access to them which we have not had in the
past and 1 thing. I say you going to pick up your phone
because that's what you do. So today, I'm grateful. I'm in
full support of you being there to be the mirror, uh for
the black community.
Thank you. Thank you chairman. Um.
We have none. Uh, what do I go to non-members? Um any
members online would like an opportunity they uh jumped on
all hey, I had to I had to see. All right, so non-member,
uh chairman talifero.
I said Alderman Moore had his hand up.
Oh 1 second. 1 second, Chris. All right, uh Alderman Moore.
Can you speak up?
Yes, my volume is not loud. I thought it was oh hey.
Can you hear me now chairman? Hold on a second. Um, whereas
the engineers can we turn that up a little bit make sure we
can hear almond more.
All right.
uh, bear with us David try to speak as clear as you can we
have a
Yeah, yeah. All right.
All right. All right.
More or less. Let's hold off on you. So make sure I because
you sound really faint. So I'm gonna let uh chairman Tyler
Farrell. Go ahead then we'll follow up with you.
Okay, go ahead. Go ahead Chris. Thank you chairman and it's
an honor to um speak in your committee. And and thank you
for giving me the opportunity. Um
But if you could please include me as being present today
for purposes of being present. Yes, sir. We'll do um
I I'm I'm presenting myself before the committee today to
speak in um on behalf of my friend. Um my mentor
My pastor, um, Reverend Dr. Ira J Agri, uh, not only have I
and my family, uh benefited from um his leadership in our
church. Um, I also served there on the deacons board and
um, I I can see over the last several years.
He's been a great friend of mine. And so I I want to
preface by saying that but more important um than my
friendship is my learning from him. Uh,
What I've seen in his character over the last uh several
years, um goes beyond the 4 Walls of the church.
Um, and in fact, it extends not only on the west side of
Chicago his Service, uh, but his service also extends, um
on the south side of Chicago and any Community, um, that is
needed.
Uh voice to stand up for the residents.
And so um, I I think him for that. Uh, he's been a powerful
leader when it comes to police reform.
Uh, he's been a powerful leader when it comes to police
transparency. Um, and in fact, I I will never forget.
the times that we as a community, uh under his leadership
and that of uh, Reverend Marshall hatch walked around city
council demanding, uh justice for laquan McDonald. Um, and
at this time the Juan McDonald, uh, the the officers had
not even been arrested.
and so I I say that his leadership goes beyond the 4 Walls
of a church, um because they have um to spearhead and bring
along with other leaders on the West Side, uh to bring a
credit union a banking system.
where members of the community can uh participate rely on
and be
a
And and be a member of and benefit from that membership, um
goes beyond the the imaginable for the west side of
Chicago.
Um, so I think him for his strong leadership over the last
30 years of advocating on behalf of those, uh, that don't
necessarily have their voices heard.
And Mr. Chairman 1 1 of the things I I I I truly want to
say before.
Uh, I I end is
In 2015 when I decided to run for Alderman and and I'm I'm
sure every single 1 of you here can.
To some degree. Um
relate with
we are often challenged with our experiences.
We come from all walks of life.
Um, I was a police officer at the time.
Um other folks were Bankers. Um, some of us were attorneys.
Um, some of us were pastors we come from all walks of life,
but yet we stood up.
And said, I am qualified to be an ultimate even though we
have never heard or spoken or represented our communities
when it comes to education.
Transportation housing Public Safety we all stood up and
say we fit the bill to be qualified to be an ultimate no
matter what our positions were in society.
As a police officer, I knew Public Safety.
but if you ask me about housing, uh, uh, uh, or any other
you ask me about CP CTA transportation,
you asked me about these other things I would have been
less qualified.
but I still stood up and said
I'm qualified for this position because I can make a
difference even though I lacked The Authority in some of
those other fields, but it didn't stop me from learning.
It didn't stop me from becoming well-versed on some of those
different issues.
I had a checkbook.
That I didn't even balance because I don't have a great
relationship with a checkbook my wife I had to support my
wife would just happen to be very good at it.
But I was responsible enough to say hey, baby. I'm sorry
for speaking like that on this but I was responsible enough
to say.
Can you handle this for me?
now I knew the city had a multi-billion dollar budget and I
knew that I had to get a breast and and become very
familiar with the budget process and the billions of
dollars that pour out of the city.
So what I'm telling you is to challenge someone on their
qualifications.
The challenge someone to say you're not qualified for this
position. So I want to reserve my support of you would be
absolutely wrong because the same thing Mr. George
Blakemore talks about every single, uh committee meeting in
every single County council meeting can be said of us.
That we are not qualified.
But we lack the qualification because of our inexperience
in some areas.
You know whether you served in whatever capacity that was
that you served in proud to become alderman.
I'm quite sure being your campaign that someone said that
you were not qualified. I certainly was told that because I
had only been a cop for 23 years.
but I could
speak on public safety
So I say this and as I close.
I I sincerely disagree.
Uh with challenging a person, you know when my central uh,
uh train station stop was shut down. There was no 1 in my
community advocating for that.
1 of the most busiest routes in the city was closed several
years back because nobody advocated
So do I need someone that has a wealth of experience in in
transportation the same that that option that have been
closed?
To where by the residents cannot now use the Central
Station know I need someone with a voice.
Someone is going to stand up for my community for my ward.
So I sincerely challenge that position, uh, um of
authority. Well, I I shouldn't say position of authority,
but that position that
You lack the qualifications to Advocate on behalf.
So with that I close chairman and and with all my heart and
all my sincerity. Um, I asked for this boards or not this
board, but I asked for this committee's favorable
consideration and disappointing. Thank you.
Thank you chairman.
Um, we're not closing just yet. We have members that are
participating online. So if we're ready have everything
ready I would
David more, um chairman Alderman David Moore first chairman
Jason Ervin second and chairman Michael Rodriguez third.
You Ready for Me chairman
Of the people I told get me.
All right.
Are we able to to to hear the participants online?
more
can you hear me chairman?
Hello.
This is Alder. I can hear Alderman Moore.
Y'all want me to sing.
uh
All right still we uh, we're still having Pro trouble
hearing you. The engineers are working on that.
Uh, so I have 1 1 member. I didn't notice in chain in in
the room. So I'll come back to you guys.
so
would you like to speak right? Yeah, so I'll at this time
while we're fixing the audio, uh for the online
participants. I'll let uh non-member by not hopping worth.
uh speak
Thank you chair. And uh, thank you to this committee. Um,
and thank you for stepping up and I'm honored to be in the
presence of Reverend Jesse Jackson, too. Thank you for
being here. I I don't know you um, I am the newly elected
alderwoman of Edgewater, uh, which also includes Uptown and
Andersonville and um, we have a lot of concerns about
Transportation, especially as it relates to the red line
and um,
you know, we want we want um people from all over to
to access the things that they need to do through Transit
and we also want to be a destination to all of our family
and visitors who come in from out of town and um, I I'm
here to appreciate you for stepping up into this role. This
is really so essential and I'm very sorry that I was here.
Um delayed I appreciated your your words. Uh, alright Talya
Ferro about you know, who who's really qualified to to lead
and um, I think the words and the the witnesses of of your
work in the past. Um, I am very concerned about Public
Safety on Transit especially as it relates to our student
experiences our young people. Um, my kids are a product of
public schools and um, I need to assure them and
peers and uh, you know families who want to settle down here
in Chicago no matter where they are and whether it's
Edgewater Uptown that um, this is a great place to live,
you know, our public schools are worth saving and fighting
for because of all the things that surround it including
great transportation, and I I hope that you can speak to
that a little bit. Um right now, thank you.
Well, certainly, uh, I'll just reiterate what I said
earlier. That would be 1 of the things that I would be
championing Public Safety. Uh, if uh,
If you feel that way on the North side, can you imagine
that feeling is on steroids on the west side and South
Side? So certainly that's 1 of the things I will be
focusing in on.
If I'm granted the responsibility to sit on this board.
can you share some ideas about how we can make that how we
can help to make that happen together 1 thing comes to mind
is just um, making sure.
That the place is secure. I I think that there should be a
greater police presence. I'm I'm not a person who's a who's
a paranoid with the presence of police. If you have good
police, they are officers of the piece that that's 1 thing.
I I see. Um, then I would also, you know like to talk with
employees and the board and uh,
You know come up with some ideas after collaborating with
other leaders in community residents who ride the bus talk
with them about their fears their apprehensions and try to
work toward addressing them specifically.
Yeah, I appreciate that. And I and I have been taking uh
Transportation very intentionally over the last year, um,
including um,
uh going to the Southshore and the Jeffrey jump and just
you know, really witnessing the
the um
the lack of reliability. Yeah, you know not just on the
North side but all over um, yeah and these and these fears
that the residents and the writers have these
apprehensions. The anxiety is they are for real and I think
um,
Sometimes we underestimate um the writers and give top down,
uh responses and solutions. But sometimes the answers can
come from bottom up when you talk to people and ask them.
How do you feel when you're on the red line? How do you
you feel when you commuting in on the green line? How do
you feel when you're on 1 of the bus buses trying to get to
work or go to school? I think.
We cannot underestimate the value of having those
conversations.
Can you talk a little bit about how you're going to work
with the Chicago public schools and students who ride the
CTA from the public schools?
What do you have any ideas on that again? I I really would
like to Center the experience of students. Um, and that's 1
way to come from the bottom up.
Yeah, I think.
What I just suggested to you.
specifically applying that um
at the Chicago Public Schools, you know.
connected with principles
and and and talking with uh, the superintendent and having
conversations on how you the CTA and the CPS can
collaborate in both can share their visions of safety. I'm
sure the the the superintendent has some ideas. I'm of a
Chicago Public Schools.
I think um sometimes
You just it's like we live in a world now as I heard my
mentor say Reverend Jesse Jackson. We we got all these
molds of communications.
All these ways to talk and we're communicating less.
communication must take place
and uh, not in communication is a 2-way street. It's not
just a person just shows up and just
uh just speaks everything and he's thinking you got to
collaborate you got to converse.
And come up with strategies together.
Absolutely. And um, the last question I have is can you can
you tell me what you think the mission of the board is?
Yeah, let me think that the mission of this board is first
of all.
the RTA
that provides the legal framework for the governance.
the operation
and the funding
of public transportation services in Chicago metropolitan
area
it also
it provides.
an a coordinates
Um, the 3 service boards, it oversees activities of these 3
service boards.
CTA Metra and pace
Uh, the aim is to ensure efficient.
and effective
public transit service for the entire region the board must
make sure that happens.
Thank you. Thank you again for stepping up and for
answering my questions. Thank you chair.
Uh
Engineers do we have are we able to hear our people online?
right
Alderman Moore, can you hear me chairman? Nope, we can hear
you but it's it's fake. So try your best to
to elevate the then I'm going to be real quick so I won't
um have to
um Force everyone to hear first of all, um, I want to
Commend the questions that um, um wag us back and um, I
think it was um, Autumn and Andre Vasquez, um asked those
were very critical questions and important question is and
what I was going to add to that is what Chris told him and
Chris tell Aero said and I
Thank you so much. So I'm not going to repeat everything and
I just want to everybody take note of that because although
the questions were critical. It is important that we have.
on um on this board and
but people also with the capability and the knowledge to
learn those things that um, they fall short on and I have
no doubt that Ira acree, uh, Pastor Iraqi would be able to
do that. Um, I've I've worked with him over the years and
I'm not even a west side or and that's the great thing
about this, uh, when you have someone who um has the
relationships, um both on the south and the west side of
Chicago and in his case even the north side, um to be able
to um, uh talk with people and know those uh, critical
people's issues and also commend. Um, um,
Alderman Harris, and and what she said in terms of being
able to pick up that phone for someone, you know will take
your call not think we'll take your call. But you know that
we'll take your call and um and be able to work with you. I
am a little concerned not totally but a little concerned
that um, the mayor did not have um a conversation uh with
him and but that could be by because of his relationship
already. Um, so I don't I don't I'm not just terribly
concerned uh, and and knowing that he is
capable and able
Um, I will say this is what I'm most appreciate that maybe
no 1 else has brought up is that no matter who's in that
leadership position? Um, he's going to respond to the will
of the people. Um, our leader Reverend Jackson is there who
I commend him for being there, but I've sat in rooms where
he's respectfully respectfully.
challenged um, Reverend Jackson and Reverend Jackson
appreciates that and I I have know that other leaders would
appreciate that he want just want to be some rubber stamp
person that's going along to get along and that's what I
can appreciate about, um pastor acree and so um, um, I I I
stand in support of this nomination and as a um, voting, um
member of this committee, um, I asked and I moved that we
make a motion to appoint, um, Reverend Ira acree, um to
this board of the RTA.
Thank you all thank you until here from Cherry.
Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Um, my apologies, we're down in Springfield today, uh with
the state capital. Um, but I do want to speak in support of
uh, Pastor Iraqi. Uh, I've known him for a number of years.
I know that he will do right by the communities and the
people of which he's been appointed to serve. Uh, the fact
that the mayor doesn't have to tell him what's going on
because he knows because he's in the streets in the
community or with us on the daily basis, uh, knowing and
understanding the plight of the residents on the southwest
side of the city and it's someone that we know will do the
right thing on behalf of our communities. Uh, so uh, I too
wanted to add my support to the uh appointment of our
pastor acree. Um, someone that we know we respect and we
can count on so thank you Mr. Chairman.
to speak and my credit
well before I before I asked, um, I would have been more to
renew his motion.
Oh.
faster
I I don't I enjoyed our conversation yesterday. I
appreciate you. Oh, he put it back. I'm sorry. All right,
Jeff. I saw you guys. Oh, no, I didn't take it down my uh,
uh, my apologies for that. I hope you can hear me. I just
wanted to lend my voice as uh, an elected another elected
official from the West Side. Um, I you know little village
and um,
um North London on my ward are on the west side of the city
and um while I don't know Reverend acree, uh intimately I
do know of his reputation and his work when I put
committees together.
For my work in in in my advisory committees When I Look to
folks to form part of boards, I'm looking forward to verse
thought.
Um, the fact is we have the business perspective. We have
elected officials. We also have transportation experts
who've been in a space for decades on this board. I do
think we need uh organizers. We need people who are on the
ground in these positions as well because they believe they
bring uh, a diverse perspective that's ultimately needed,
uh in these spaces and I think and reviewing Alderman, uh a
resume and
Also knowing of his history. Uh, I can comfortably say that
you will be a good member of this board and I support
wholeheartedly I will not belabor the point Thank you, Mr.
Chair.
So back to what I was saying about conversation yesterday.
I got to know you um did a little fact finding uh, very
respected man, and I I admire that about you. Um, I 1 thing
I did not talk about yesterday and chairman Harris touched
on it.
and I'm not just from being chairman of Transportation, but
also being the alderman I have I have left or a rest routes
metro running through, uh, the the police system, uh
interacts. That's something that we haven't talked about
the interact with our seniors and picking them up. That's
all part of the play System. Um, so I look forward to
working with you on that and being that that that telephone
that you you pick up because my now now that it, you know
have someone in our neighborhood that understands the price
that we're facing we want to exercise that to the fullest.
now with that said I want to uh, I want to uh,
Acknowledge the door motion.
Very late. Can I go to the motion from uh approval of this
item? Can't wait so moves on the motion all in favor. Say I
all oppose no. No it automate that. You have the eyes have
it.
Um before I joined this meeting I want to acknowledge, uh,
and I'm in hopper for purposes of the world and
being no further business before this committee. Can I get
a motion to adjourn by the same overall vote is applied to
determine Quant.
News on the motion all in favor. Say I oppose know in the
opinion of the chair the eyes.
Yeah.