Committee on Transportation and Public Way meeting, July 9, 2025
- When: Wed, Jul 9, 2025, 10:15 AM (Chicago time)
- Where: 201A, 2nd Floor, City Hall, 121 North LaSalle Street - Chicago, IL 60602
- Status: Scheduled & Published
- Committee: Committee on Transportation and Public Way
- Video: https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/1099742492
- Transcript: full text (5,861 words, official captions)
Meeting notes
AI-written from the transcript. Speakers are inferred from cues in the recording, so treat names as estimates and check the video at the linked time.
The Committee on Transportation and Public Way heard three public speakers, including a Unite Here Local 1 member supporting a proposal to curb smoking on the CTA, and a written comment supporting the Ryan Harris Way ordinance. The committee recommended approval of Alderperson Chris Taliaferro resolution calling on the RTA to create a 29th Ward pilot providing safe transportation for minors to public events, after discussion of cost and whether to wait for the interim CTA president's July 30 testimony. Alderperson William Conway resolution on smoking on the CTA was held at his request until after that testimony, the Ryan Harris Way ordinance and a 44th Ward ordinance were held, and a group of locally introduced miscellaneous items was recommended for approval.
Topics: youth transportation pilot, CTA smoking enforcement, CTA safety, honorary street names, public comment
Agenda items discussed
- 49:39 Rule 45 report for June 11, 2025 meeting: passed
- 50:03 Call on Regional Transportation Authority to create a pilot program providing safe transportation for minors to public events in the 29th Ward (R2025-0018176): passed
- 59:12 Call on Chicago Transit Authority board regarding smoking on the CTA: held
- 1:03:33 Ryan Harris Way honorary street name ordinance (O2025-0018051): held
- 1:04:27 44th Ward ordinance held at the request of Alderperson Bennett R. Lawson (O2025-0017875): held
- 1:04:51 Miscellaneous items introduced by local alderpersons: passed
Alderpersons who spoke
- Gregory I. Mitchell (chair): Told Alderperson William Conway the resolution is a call on the CTA and agreed it is a good idea that could be discussed further with transportation officials. (56:08); Said the interim CTA president will appear at a July 30 hearing, where the youth transportation proposal can be raised in advance. (58:31)
- Chris Taliaferro (alderperson): Presented the resolution, developed with West Side youth leaders, for a pilot that would take youth from city sites such as libraries or police stations to youth-sponsored events and back once or twice a month. (50:33); Said the problem is citywide but a 29th Ward pilot would allow assessment of costs before expanding, given CTA and RTA budget constraints. (53:54); Said the pilot's cost is not yet known and is being discussed with the CTA. (55:32)
- William Conway (alderperson): Asked why the youth transportation pilot is limited to the 29th Ward rather than all 50 wards. (53:42); Asked the pilot's cost and suggested waiting for the CTA president's testimony later in the month, while saying he did not intend to derail it. (55:30); Said smoking on the CTA is out of control and asked to hold his resolution until the acting CTA president testifies on July 30. (59:39)
- Andre Vasquez Jr. (alderperson): Supported the youth transportation pilot as a public safety measure and suggested using incident data to model other pilots. (57:03); Said passing the resolution before the interim CTA president's appearance would signal the committee's intent. (57:54); Described witnessing smoking on the Red Line, said enforcement is lacking and must account for unhoused riders, and tied a CTA plan to adequate state funding. (1:01:51)
- Scott Waguespack (alderperson): Said riders are frustrated with lack of enforcement of the no-smoking policy and other rules on buses and trains and supported moving forward. (1:00:43)
Exchanges between members
- 52:51 Alderperson Chris Taliaferro thanked the chairman for calling the resolution.
- 53:09 Alderperson William Conway asked Alderperson Chris Taliaferro why the pilot was limited to the 29th Ward.
- 54:09 Alderperson Chris Taliaferro answered Alderperson William Conway that the issue is citywide but a pilot allows cost assessment.
- 56:08 The chair responded to Alderperson William Conway suggestion to wait, noting the item is a resolution and could be discussed further with transportation officials.
- 57:03 Alderperson Andre Vasquez Jr. thanked and commended Alderperson Chris Taliaferro for the work on the pilot.
- 57:54 Alderperson Andre Vasquez Jr. said he understood Alderperson William Conway point on timing but favored passing the resolution before the CTA hearing.
- 1:00:43 Alderperson Scott Waguespack thanked Alderperson William Conway for holding the smoking resolution to continue the conversation and said he agreed with it.
- 1:01:51 Alderperson Andre Vasquez Jr. told Alderperson William Conway he was not alone on the smoking issue and commended him for introducing the resolution.