everybody so now we know that the mayor of our great city writes public
transportation you know every elected official loves it when April comes around
because April is the start of the construction season and we get a chance
to show our constituents how their tax dollars are working for them.
And so I am very happy to see you all out here today.
I want to thank the mayor.
I want to thank our CTA president.
I know Nora.
I didn't want to pronounce that last name.
I always have problems with that last name.
Nora Learson for their investment
on 51st Street. 51st Street is
an important corridor in the Bronzeville, Washington Park
community. And people
out here have been struggling for years to
find a way to uplift this
great corridor. Lots of good businesses along here.
And I just wanted to take a moment to acknowledge some of the people who have been toiling in this field before this event even happened.
So I want to thank Sandra Bivens, who is the president of the 51st Street.
I want to thank Sadia Johnson for having one of the finest daycare centers on 51st Street.
I want to thank Cary Young, who is building on the corner over there.
When nobody else wanted to be here, he decided to put his money to work on 51st Street.
I also want to thank Bernard Lloyd, one of our visionaries in the community.
And if you get a chance to visit Boxville across the street, that's his brainchild.
I want to thank Corey Gilkey, who's not here, and Omar Swice, who is not here as well, who have also toiled in the field.
I'm happy today.
We have needed this refresh and renew project for some time.
And this is just the beginning.
CTA has made investments at 43rd Street, at 55th Street.
We're building up this community.
And this helps us along the way.
A lot of work is going to be done here.
They sent me a list, you know, and even down to the little electrical outlets, they're going to be fixed.
I also want to acknowledge Gerald Nichols, your tireless advocate for us with the CTA.
When we call him, he's there.
I want to thank CDOT, and I want to thank Green Corps for what they're going to do here.
they have been a longtime partner in this part of town but I don't want to
steal all the thunder because the real thunder belongs with the mayor of our
great city as an important component of the 77 communities in the city of
Chicago and it has invested here all along the way and so mayor I want to
thank you for your support. And without further ado, I'd like to introduce us to the mayor
of our city, Mayor Brandon Johnson. Thank you, Chairwoman Dow. Good morning, everyone.
And now I officially have my new nickname, Mayor Brandon Thunder Johnson. This week,
the city of Chicago was welcoming spring in with tremendous energy, officially kicking
off the 2026 construction season i'm grateful that we have partners to help us along the way
thank you to linda nelson the chief of staff of the fifth ward alder desmond yancy give her a
round of applause for being here and in just a moment you're going to hear from state senator
maddie hunter can you give her a round of applause you know just really quick i have a lengthy speech
here i'm trying to get through this quickly but senator hunter and i go way back in fact
In fact, when I was teaching at Jenner Academy in Cabrini Green, Senator Matty Hunter would
participate as principal for the day and she would make sure that my students
not only got a bus, a charter bus to Springfield, she took care of us, she fed
those children and she believed in me as a public school teacher, she believed in
our students and she believes in me as Mayor Thunder Johnson. So thank you
Senator Hunter. You know I had a chance to ride public transportation today and
get a chance to hang out with Operator
Austin. Rance is
a public employee
working for CTA
and he gives me hope.
It's the workers who show up every single day
that make this transportation
system the best public
transportation in the entire United
States of America.
Yesterday I joined the Chicago Department of Transportation
to launch our season of
streetscape improvement projects
and traffic safety upgrades.
And today, I'm proud to stand with the CTA and CDOT to launch the expansion of the CTA's 2026 Refresh and Renew Program.
In a few minutes, our acting CTA President will speak more about the 2026 Refresh and Renew Program,
which is a $6.5 million investment in improvements at 28 rail stations and 14 bus turnaround locations citywide.
And through this work, CTA riders will see improved accessibility across cleaner and more modernized rail stations and bus locations.
This is an important part of our commitment to delivering a quality transit system that Chicagoans can rely upon to connect them to opportunities in all of our beautiful 78 communities.
The 2026 season will build upon the growth and investments that CTA made in the year 2025.
Last year, we opened four new fully modernized and accessible rail stations on the red lines Lawrence, Argyle, Berwyn, and Bryn Mawr stops.
Pre-construction work began on the $5.75 billion red line extension project that Donald Trump tried to stop, but we were able to prevail to keep that project going.
And last year, $6.5 million refresh and renew program invested in maintenance and repairs at 44 rail trail stations and bus turnarounds across the city.
Altogether, the work delivered a cleaner, brighter, and safer CTA system for passengers and community members and visitors from around the world.
And Chicagoans responded, taking over 338 million rides in 2025, which is a 4% increase from ridership level from the year before.
This morning I had the chance to ride here on a CTA bus and again hanging out with bus operator Rance Austin
and seeing firsthand the care and professionalism our operators bring to the people moving through Chicago every single day.
Let me once again thank all the hard-working women and men of the CTA who show up for the people of Chicago day in and day out.
And like Rance and thousands of transit workers like him, remind us that this system runs because of our people.
And when we invest in our transit system, we invest in CTA workers across the city and the residents who rely upon this system to get to work, school, and opportunities throughout Chicago.
A strong CTA system is central to driving inclusive economic growth for our communities.
And through my administration's comprehensive economic development and growth strategy, the Build Better Together initiative,
we make coordinated investments in affordable housing, equitable transit-oriented development,
small businesses, neighborhood corridors, and more efficient city development process to make business a lot easier to do in Chicago.
This work goes hand-in-hand with CTA's ongoing construction work. For example, earlier this month, my administration announced a $300 million investment in 15 affordable housing developments across the city as a part of our 2025 Qualified Allocation Plan.
And 13 of those projects are Equitable Transit-Oriented Developments, or ETODs.
ETODs are proven to support affordability, public safety, and economic development in our neighborhoods.
And finally, families living near transit have greater access to jobs, to opportunities,
and that leads to safer and better connected neighborhoods.
And that is the vision behind the work that we are kicking off today.
Construction season is about more than repairing our infrastructure.
It's about ensuring opportunities are within Chicago's beautiful neighborhoods
where our people can reach new heights, making sure that city workers are supported.
And in closing, I want to thank the CTA and CDOT Green Corps workers who will lead our 2026 construction season, as well as the CTA workers who serve millions of riders every single day. And so with that, I'm grateful to have our acting president, CTA president, Nora Learson. Right, thank you all. Give it up for Nora.
Thank you, Mayor Johnson, and good morning, everyone.
Good morning.
What a beautiful morning to spend together celebrating our beautiful spaces here at CTA.
It's great to be here with all of you as we kick off the 2026 Refresh and Renew program.
This year, I talked about our vision for CTA being rooted not just in performance and service delivery,
but in people, and creating spaces that are welcoming, accessible, and reflective of the
communities we serve. That vision comes to life through programs like Refresh and Renew.
Since launching in 2019, this program has worked to deliver improvements at more than 300 rail
stations and over 50 bus turnarounds. And today, I want to tell you, we are building on that
momentum in a big way. This year, we are investing $6.5 million to refresh 28
stations and 14 bus turnarounds throughout our entire system. That
includes the work we are doing right here at Bronzeville and improvements
that riders will see and feel from lighting and repairs to cleaning and
upgrades throughout each station. And I want to take a moment to thank Alderman
Endowell for her incredible partnership and advocacy for CTA in your community.
But just as importantly, this next phase is about going further.
It's about creating welcoming spaces.
While large-scale infrastructure projects are critical, we know the smaller details matter.
The everyday experience matters.
And small changes can have a big impact.
That's why as part of this expansion, we're introducing new features across the system
that are designed with our riders in mind.
We're adding landscaping and planters at nine stations across the system,
bringing more green space into CTA and creating environments that feel cared for and inviting.
We'll also be introducing child-sized furniture at select locations,
and I am ecstatic to tell you that the green bench right here with us today
is our first bench on the system that we are unveiling to you today.
And as a former school teacher and a mom of two young kids,
this is very personal to me and very exciting.
These benches signify the future of our system
to bring riders on in a way that excites them and welcomes them
and lets our children know that this system is for them for a lifetime as Chicagoans.
And we're continuing to explore opportunities for public art and creative expression
that reflect the vibrancy of our neighborhoods.
These are intentional choices.
They reflect what we've heard from riders and employees,
and they reflect the kind of system we are building together,
one that people want to be in, not just pass through.
And I'm especially proud that we are doing this work in partnership.
Through our collaboration with CDOT's Green Corps program,
these spaces will not only be installed but maintained over time.
This partnership also creates opportunities to connect individuals to job training
and careers in the green industry,
while reinforcing CTA's commitment to expanding pathways to employment.
That is what it means to invest in our system the right way.
It's not just about infrastructure. It's about people, partnerships, and long-term impact.
And this work is part of a much larger effort underway across the CTA.
We are improving service, strengthening safety, advancing accessibility,
and investing in major capital projects that will shape the future of transit in this city.
But alongside these efforts, we are focused on what riders experience right now.
When they walk into a station, when they wait for a train, when they move through our system,
do they feel welcome, comfortable?
Do they feel like the system is built for them?
That is the standard we are holding ourselves to, and that is what Refresh and Renew represents.
It's visible progress, it is pride in our system, and it is a commitment to showing up for our riders in ways both big and small.
I want to thank our teams, our partners, and everyone here today who is helping make this work possible.
We are excited to get started, and we are proud to continue building a city that reflects the very best of Chicago.
And with that, it is now my honor to introduce a great partner in ensuring that the transit bill was passed in Springfield, Senator Maddie Hunter.
Thank you, Madam President.
Good morning, everyone.
Good morning.
I don't know if you all know it or not, but I grew up in this neighborhood, so I'm really, really excited about today.
What a great day it is to be standing here at 51st Street, because starting today, things are looking up for this station and for everyone who depends on it.
For those of you who don't know me, I am State Senator Maddie Hunter from the 3rd Legislative District, and I have represented this area for over two decades.
I am proud to be here today as we announce that CTA's Renew and Refresh program has arrived at the 51st Street Green Line Station.
Over the next two weeks, readers, writers rather, and neighbors will see real visible improvements right here.
We're talking about paint on rusted structures, repairing lighting, refreshed floors, even bench seatings.
Updated signage, replaced staircase, canopy, repaired gates, restored escalators, and so much more.
From the washroom fixtures to the train trackers to the warming stations,
This station is getting the attention it deserves.
This is not a small thing, y'all.
This is a big deal.
When our transit stations are safe, clean, and functional, it sends a message to every resident of the third ward.
You matter, your commute matters, and your community matters.
we've already seen the difference these investments make at the 43rd Street and
55th Street Green Line stations and now it is 51st Street's time that is
momentum and we intend to keep it going I do what I do want to clear this this
a strong and meaningful step forward but it is not the finish line the third ward continues to
fight for large-scale long-term investments at this station we will not stop until our
infrastructures fully reflect the strengths of this community to the CTA thank you for your
partnership mayor Johnson Alderman Dow and to the residents the standing
behind me thank you for your patience your advocacy and your continued trust
this one's for you and at this time I'll bring Henry Johnson from green course
good morning good morning mayor Johnson Alderman Dow president my deputy is
here with us as well, all the elected officials, city staff, partners, and
community members. My name is Henry Johnson. I'm the program manager
for the Chicago Department of Transportation Green Corps Chicago Job
Training Program. And while I stand here today in the leadership role
I don't take these moments like this lightly
because this is personal for me.
I know what it means to feel like life has got you off
track i know what it feels like to miss a stop or when the route you planned doesn't go exactly
where you think it should go but i also know something else just like our transit system
life gives you another train another direction
another chance to move forward that's what green core represents green core is not just a job
training program it's a new line of opportunity a reset for individuals who have faced real
barriers whether it's educational gaps justice involvement employment history challenges or
simply needing a way back on a path towards stability and when i look and when i look at all
who we serve, we're talking about communities that have often been left wanting or waiting
on another station. 75% of our participants in the Green Corps Chicago program come from
the west and south sides of Chicago. 95% are from black and brown communities that look
exactly like me. This, well, these communities have been historically disadvantaged and
overlook. But what I see today is not people stuck. I see people ready to move, ready to build,
ready to grow. They just need access to the right platform. So when I look and I see Mayor Johnson
and his administration making intentional investments into these same communities,
it resonates deeply with me. Because this is what it looks like to lay down new tracks for new
opportunity this is what it means to make sure our communities is not left
behind this is what participation and partnership with CTA is so meaningful so
that we so as we work to refresh revitalize and beautify CTA stations bus
turnarounds we're not just improving infrastructure but we are restoring
various spaces that connect our city stations are more than just stops their
starting points. They're places where people began their day, head to work, go to school,
move their lives forward. And for those spaces, they should reflect dignity, care, and pride.
But what makes this work even more powerful is who's doing the work. It's the individuals like
myself who knows what it means to get back on track. It's the people who have been waiting
for opportunity and now are helping build it. It's the workers who are not just passing
through these stations, but leaving their mark on them today. So this becomes more than
beautification. It becomes ownership. It becomes purpose. It becomes full circle moment where
the same communities that we helped terrorize, we now be able to come back in and help revitalize.
So yes, we are proud to partner with CTA, we are excited to begin this work, and we are committed to showing up in excellence every single day.
Because it's Green Corps, we understand something clearly.
We're not just here to clean stations, we're here to help people get back on track and find the right station to go to.
Thank you.
Man, Henry took us to church, didn't he?
I mean, y'all thought y'all were coming to a public announcement.
We had eight-man corners on both sides.
And I saw the audience.
I mean, one woman was out there waving the fan and everything.
Is that your mom?
I'm like, who is that since over there?
Yes.
Morning.
We will have on-topic questions first, and then we will transition to off-topics later.
We'll do one on-topic.
Rose? Sure. Hi, Mayor.
I'm wondering if you and the CTA president could both address the fact that there is a new
CTA safety and security plan in place, and specifically some layoffs
that were impacted by Cigarity Guards last week.
Yeah, look, safety is our top priority, and the work
that we have continued to do to make sure that our ridership can
experience safety, it's why we're making these necessary
investments. But it's also about ensuring, I was talking to
operator Austin on the on the on the ride over and talked about just the need
to support our unhoused individuals and having that type of support available as
well is also part of the safety plan Nora sure safety is our absolute number
one priority as the mayor says we are in a moment at CTA of expanding our
security resources significantly we just reported a 75% increase in law
enforcement hours on CTA across several different police aspects on CTA we're
also taking a holistic approach that also initiates pilots across crisis
intervention specialists violence interrupters and this is because we need
dynamic resources
...that fit the needs of CTA, those resources are growing and even more suitable to meet what we need to with our riders.
Good morning, Mayor. Maxwell Evans, Bar Club, Chicago.
Good morning.
Could you mention any specific improvements along the Jeffrey Local route that you rode this morning that you noticed needed to be made?
Well, one of the things that I did notice that I thought was a good step in the right direction
is making sure that there are the bus shelters for more of our stops.
You know, obviously those investments, you know, will continue to grow, but, you know, we saw all along the way, again, just stronger bus stop locations with cover, right?
As you all know, the city of Chicago, our weather is about as moody as a middle schooler, and it's important that we have systems that reflect the changing, you know, weather dynamics.
Good morning, Mayor.
Good morning.
I was various with Telemundo.
though, beside the safety, another big and huge complaint from CDA users, especially
on the train blue line, is the cleanliness.
How or what is the plan to make sure that CDA users feel comfortable in the train when
mostly every day they see feces, urine, and also blood sometimes?
Yeah, well, listen, this is what this launch of Refresh and Renewal is about.
We've heard those complaints and we're addressing them.
You just heard a testimony from Mr. Henry Johnson about Green Corps and how that support will also, you know, contribute to a cleaner experience for our riders.
Nora?
Absolutely.
Certainly the sentiment around the work we're saying here today is much about the experience our riders need to see from a cleanliness and bright, welcoming perspective.
Part of that is absolutely also the interior of our trains.
over the last several years we have notably increased our cleaning
resources and it's not just about an increase you have to deploy them in a
smart way and that's what we're always working on to make sure they're being
deployed in the most strategic targeted ways to make sure our riders have a
pleasant ride. Mayor Inora I'm Christine Flores with WGN so I know you guys
touched on the safety aspect right we just heard about those 159 ish security
guards that were let go for the rider what is this new safety plan going to
look like are they going to be looking for specific people dressed a certain
way if they need resources or help all right sure so the safety plan has what I
noted is a 75% increase in law enforcement hours those are coming from
the Chicago Police Department as well as the Cook County Sheriff's Office so
you're going to see uniformed officers across the system in a targeted data
informed way that's driven by feedback from our riders from our employees as
well as the data that we're seeing you're also going to see our canine
guards on the system also deployed in a strategic way as well as upcoming new
pilots of violence intervention and crisis specialists on the system so
we're bringing a full force of a holistic approach to address the needs
on our system that's in addition to our long-standing partnerships of social
service agencies but what you're seeing from the law enforcement partnership in
particular is new missions across our rail system new missions across our bus
system that are designed to ensure our employees feel safe and our riders see a
visible presence of resources good morning Stephanie with ABC 7 might be a
better question for you I suspect this has to do with the state and lake
construction, but yesterday it seems that CDOT closed down two lanes
on Dearborn at Lake, perhaps with that construction.
Do we know if this is going to happen again? Is there a way to prepare drivers? We saw some congestion
in that area and received some complaints. Yeah, it's a
really massive, exciting project right in the heart of our downtown, and we
work closely with CDOT to make sure that messages are sent to people that use
that area about any shutdown. It will require some impact to that
area as we move forward and as CDOT moves forward with that work, but there's always
really intentional messaging to the public to prepare for those closures and to manage
their commute.
As a part of a long-term project, you are going to see those impacts.
Yes.
Mayor, a question for you.
The Black Caucus just put out a statement saying that they are profoundly disappointed
in an infirm opposition to the sudden termination of the CTA-based security contracts that
involved african-american subcontractors can you respond to that Nora wait that
questions for you but it's but I'm asking you
thank you Sarah certainly so that contract in long established mutually
agreed upon terms would expire when all the funds were used and that's what
occurred so that was a long-term understanding between the parties really
it's critical that we have the right resources on CTA to meet the needs of
our riders and as we grow our resources we also have to be strategic and smart
about what is the right resource on CTA and that was the decision here do not
continue to add funds to that contract
and to move forward with other resources.
Mayor, could you just respond?
Yeah, look, safety is our top priority.
That's why we've expressed the increase in security presence,
working with our police department, sheriff's department,
but it's also the full force of government, as I expressed earlier,
ensuring that we're addressing the social ills
that our riders as well as our workers encounter every single day.
Look, we're going to continue to make sure that we are moving with expediency to create a safe, accessible, reliable, affordable transit system.
And, you know, we're going to do that in an equitable way.
I've already responded.
Thank you.
Hey, guys.
Good morning.
Hi, good morning.
Carol with CBS.
Two safety-related questions.
Either of you want to tackle these.
First up, I want to talk about repeat offenders on the trains.
We see that so often.
When we talk about safety, what's being done to target that issue?
And then also heading into the summer months, what's being done to address, you know, teenagers on the trains
and obviously keeping them safe but also making sure that the city is safe as well.
Well, first of all, you know, what I can say is that, you know, our judicial system doesn't work in isolation, right?
Our officers do their part to hold individuals accountable that act violently or irresponsibly.
As far as the judicial system as a whole, you're not going to get an argument from me
that we have to ensure that we're working in coordination to not just hold people accountable,
but to make sure that we create long-term safety measures.
right you know as far as if anything on a policy level that could be done i mean that's something
that the legislative branch can certainly look into but again the most important thing though
is is that we've increased the presence of of of multiple safety enforcement entities in place
this is something that has been long called for and we're doing that as far as our young people
are concerned look we're going to continue to create as many opportunities for them as possible
I'm grateful that there are a lot of community-based organizations, faith leaders, business leaders,
who are supporting our efforts to create more safe and active spaces for young people.
We do know that there are a small segment of the larger population that ruin it for others.
But as I've said repeatedly, it's about accountability and opportunity.
the more opportunity we give young people the more jobs that we give young
people the more safe spaces that we give young people the less likely there are
they will engage in irresponsible behavior so I'm calling on all the folks
of the city of Chicago to continue to work with my administration to work with
our state legislature our city council our business community to wrap our arms
around young people to show up in a very intentional way to make sure that they
have opportunities and if they behave outside of the confines of those opportunities we hold
them accountable. Final question. All right. How are you doing Mayor Thunder? I'm doing very well.
Thank you. I'm trying that out. I don't know how I feel about it. Listen there's a whole new logo
being drafted and designed right now. That's it. Nice. So I'm seeing we talk about refresh and
renew. I see the child size furniture which I've heard acting President Learson talk about at
City Club some time ago. It's clear that that's something about which she feels
very strongly. She sure seems like somebody who would like the job of
CTA president full time. Where are you on making
that appointment and acting President Learson if you might speak to whether you
are interested in that job? Well, I do
appreciate the fact that he's calling for a job interview right in the public.
Look,
Look, here's what my position has always been.
You know, leadership that is compassionate, that's collaborative, that's competent,
leadership that recognizes that building safe and affordable communities requires us to invest in our workforce.
You know, look, I want to give a special shout-out to, you know, both ATU 241 and 308.
These are the folks that matter the most here.
And, you know, as far as any considerations,
Thank you.
In terms of the timing of that, look, I'll make that decision in due time.
Clearly, we have a pretty strong track record in attracting some of the best applicants from around the country and around the world who want to be a part of what's happening.
This extension of the red line that many, many, many administrations were trying to accomplish, we got that done.
The fact that we have ridership that is going up every single day, that we're increasing presence in a holistic way for force of government to ensure that we maximize safety, those are all great testaments.
And I want to give a special shout out to Kyle and many of the other public transportation activists and organizers who have called for more investments repeatedly, and that work will continue to do.
But as far as Nora is concerned, I mean, Nora, you can speak for yourself.
Thanks. I appreciate the focus.
the output of the job. That's my focus. Serving the riders, serving the employees,
and keeping this agency moving. So thank you. Thank you all very much. Appreciate it.
Sarah, we'll start with you. We've got time for one question.
Yeah, well that's what it really comes down to, right? Well as you know, property
taxes fund school districts and property taxes have been an ongoing conversation not just in
Chicago but around the state right where there's been an increasing burden on working people with
property taxes being the sole source of revenue and this proposal would essentially stifle off
revenue from property taxes that would have otherwise gone to our public schools.
So I don't think it's a mismatch for educators to be involved in legislation
that would have impact on our students.
In September 18th, you were there, the Independence Day Parade.
Why are they canceled?
Why are they concerns coming from your administration?
Yeah, well, look, there's always ongoing concerns about the reckless, dangerous, unconstitutional behavior of President Trump.
I mean, he has released terror across this country.
Now, obviously, we are fighting back here in Chicago against all of his poor policies,
from illegal tariffs to his attack against undocumented families.
You know, the organizers made a conscious decision that for the overall benefit of the community, that it made sense for them to cancel.
I think the last thing that I'll say to this is that I've had the chance to walk through the business corridors in Little Village, in Chinatown.
The economic impact that the Trump administration has had on our local economy has been quite severe and negative,
where there are some businesses that have lost as much as 70 percent of revenue
because of the fear and the terror that the Trump administration has released across the country.
That's why I've signed multiple executive orders to protect Chicago.
It's why other cities like New York and Los Angeles are taking up those executive orders to protect residents.
But there's still more work to do because the ongoing threat from this president has just been relentless.
But our resolve is strong, and we're going to continue to celebrate.
We're going to continue to build safe and affordable communities.
And I'm going to use every single tool.
I'm going to use every single tool that's available to me to protect the people of Chicago.
Lawmakers are in Springfield this week and, you know, through the end of May.
Sarah already asked about the fairs.
But can you talk about your legislative priorities,
What you would like to see that passes when you look at home in Chicago before the session's over,
and I guess also where you stand on the millionaire's tax.
What, I stand on the millionaire's tax?
Are you serious?
I am serious.
Okay, have you not heard me call for a millionaire's tax?
Okay, I just want to make sure.
There's a chance where you're talking about it.
No, okay, I just wasn't sure.
I mean, we used to know where I stood on it.
Well, look, first of all, I mean, we stand with the people of the state in the city of Chicago.
We stand with the Speaker of the House.
We stand with the Speaker of the House.
progressive caucus members. Many people have been calling, you know, for it. I mean, it's something
that needs to happen. Now look, there are still folks who are disrupting, you know, the effort
to pass a millionaire's tax. The opposition is still very fierce. The same, you know, individuals
that did not want, you know, corporate head tax, the same individuals that did not want us to move
on the smart tax, the social media amusement responsibility tax, which is another tax on big
corporations, those same folks are opposed to progressive revenue.
So all of us are going to have to still continue to band together to ensure that we have a
revenue structure that ensures that we are investing in education, housing, health care,
transportation, good-paying jobs, and community safety.
That's a part of what my demand has been, the local government distributive fund, as
As you know, the current budget proposal in Springfield reduces that.
I'm working with mayors across the state to ensure that we don't lose resources when it comes to the LGDF.
Clearly, we still believe that there's more work to be done around affordability and housing.
There needs to be, of course, stronger support for our school district.
So my legislative priorities have not changed.
We have to tax the rich, and I'm hoping that Democrats stand strong in this moment
and do what we've done at the local level with taxing these big tech companies
that we tax earners over a million dollars to fund the necessary services that the people rely upon.
I know you roll pretty deep as the mayor of Chicago.
Before today, when was the last time you rode a CTA bus or a train,
and what were the things you noticed on your ride?
Yeah, so, you know, obviously, you know, as mayor of the city of Chicago, my schedule, you know, requires me to move around quite a bit from one end of the city to the other and do that in a timely fashion.
So, yeah, that is an adjustment for me.
I never thought in a million years that, you know, I would have, you know, vehicles that move me around the city.
Look, before I was mayor, when I was Cook County Commissioner, I essentially rode public transportation multiple times during the week.
As far as what I experienced the last time, you know, a very similar experience.
You see people who get on our public transportation, our buses and trains,
and they're trying to get to their next point, and they're in good spirits.
They have, you know, great attitudes, you know, about, you know, the lived experience.
Obviously, you know, you do still see some of the societal challenges that we have.
You know, there's no secret that because of the type of disinvestment that Henry Johnson spoke of,
that it has left a lot of our communities in despair it's why i'm showing up and investing
in mental and behavioral health care services it's why we're expanding the care program and so
all of those things that you know are responding to the unhoused right we put you know like i said
you know millions of dollars into building not just more affordable homes but ensuring that we
have shelters for families and right now we don't have a waiting list for families who are seeking
shelter. So again, you know, I've enjoyed, you know, my time as mayor, certainly. I do miss
riding public transportation as much as I used to do, you know, but again, today was another
opportunity for me to actually experience it differently, of course, as mayor, but quite
frankly, not that much than what I've been accustomed to. Quickly, Billy Donovan's out,
your thoughts. Oh, well, yeah, I mean, I would just say this, man, it's a long time coming for
For, you know, our folks on Madison, I think what's happening,
I know what Denny Wirtz is up to, has really done a good job in the draft.
The Bulls, the Rhinestors have a good opportunity in this draft selection.
I think the next coach that comes in will have an opportunity to work with,
you know, a nice young talent.
And I'm rooting not just for, I'm rooting for the entire United Center.
I want to see the Bulls and the Blackhawks, you know, back in the playoffs.
And I know that ownership is committed to having a good team on the court and on the ice.
But they're also committed to developing the community.
The 1901 project is a multi-billion dollar investment to build out on the west side of Chicago.
So, you know, go Bulls, go Blackhawks.
But right now, in the meantime, let's go get them, Cubbies.
All right, thank you all.