Committee on Transportation and Public Way meeting, April 10, 2024
- When: Wed, Apr 10, 2024, 11:00 AM (Chicago time)
- Where: Room 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/932943022
- Transcript: full text (13,131 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 one public commenter who criticized CTA service cuts and leadership and urged congestion pricing, then approved its Rule 45 report. Members recommended a right-of-way acquisition for the 47th Street and Ashland Avenue streetscape project and the appointment of Dr. Michael Eddie to the Chicago Transit Board after questioning him about how often he rides the CTA, rider safety, a Western Avenue bus rapid transit line, criteria for evaluating the CTA president and agency finances; one member described the CTA as an agency in crisis and asked for a commitment to problem solving. The committee also recommended 19 miscellaneous orders, a subdivision at Milwaukee and Austin, release of Peoples Gas easements on the former Michael Reese Hospital site, a land dedication for parking near Advocate Trinity Hospital, and two public way vacations on Cermak Road and West 21st Street.
Topics: CTA board appointment, CTA service and safety, streetscape project, right-of-way acquisition, bus rapid transit, public way vacations, utility easements, congestion pricing, public comment
Agenda items discussed
- 17:36 Public comment: discussed
- 21:27 Approval of the Rule 45 report for the March 13, 2024 meeting: passed
- 21:54 Right-of-way acquisition for the 47th and Ashland Corridor Improvements Section 2 project (O2024-0008347): passed
- 29:34 Appointment of Dr. Michael Eddie to the Chicago Transit Board (A2024-0008368): passed
- 1:06:58 19 miscellaneous orders introduced by local alderpersons: passed
- 1:08:00 Milwaukee at Austin resubdivision (O2024-0008375): passed
- 1:10:33 Release of Peoples Gas utility easements on the former Michael Reese Hospital site for GRIT Chicago (O2024-0007914): passed
- 1:15:42 Dedication of Advocate Trinity Hospital land to widen South Crandon Avenue (O2024-0008397): passed
- 1:20:42 Vacation of an alley segment for 465 Cermak LLC: passed
- 1:23:36 Vacation of a South Union Street remnant and alley for 654 West 21st Street: passed
Alderpersons who spoke
- Gregory I. Mitchell (chair): Said he appreciated Advocate's improvements near Trinity Hospital in the Seventh Ward. (1:19:48)
- Andre Vasquez Jr. (alderperson): Said some members have questions about how capital and bond funding decisions are made for streetscapes and asked for information through the chair, while supporting the item. (26:39); Noted public concerns about confidence in the CTA and asked the nominee how often he currently rides the system. (37:03); Asked the nominee to commit to riding the CTA more regularly to understand current conditions. (38:21)
- Brian Hopkins (alderperson): Asked why the streetscape extends past Damen and whether open space at the former Damen overpass site is included, and requested more detail. (27:54)
- David H. Moore (alderperson): Supported the CTA board appointee, citing his relationships across the west and south sides and his business background. (35:34)
- Jason C. Ervin (alderperson): Supported the appointment, describing both the departing and new board members as strong west side advocates. (44:51)
- William Conway (alderperson): Asked what criteria should be used to decide whether the CTA president should be retained or removed. (46:27); Noted the nominee's answer focused on finances and asked whether CTA finances are in a good place and what role leadership plays. (49:45); Asked whether the nominee has a relationship with the current CTA president. (51:39)
- Michelle A. Harris (alderperson): Supported the appointment, saying she has worked with the nominee for over 16 years. (52:03)
- Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (alderperson): Asked the nominee to consider student riders and language access in efforts to increase ridership. (52:55); Described a constituent assaulted on the L while other riders did not intervene and asked the nominee to commit to experiencing the transit system. (54:30)
- Walter R. Burnett (alderperson): Supported the appointment, citing the nominee's west side community work and expected advocacy for equity in CTA jobs and contracts. (1:04:21)
Exchanges between members
- 42:15 Vice Chair Andre Vasquez Jr. referred to Alderperson David H. Moore point about the nominee's reach across the south and west sides.
- 44:51 Alderperson Jason C. Ervin thanked the chair before speaking on the appointment.
- 45:36 Alderperson William Conway responded to the chair's introduction of him with a joke about being called by one name.
- 46:21 Alderperson William Conway said his questions follow Vice Chair Andre Vasquez Jr. questions.
- 53:57 Alderperson Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth echoed Vice Chair Andre Vasquez Jr. request that the nominee commit to riding transit.