Committee on Transportation and Public Way meeting, May 8, 2024
- When: Wed, May 8, 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/943785189
- Transcript: full text (17,340 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, chaired by Alderperson Gregory I. Mitchell, heard public comment largely about the mayoral appointment of Pastor Ira J. Acree to the Regional Transportation Authority board. The committee approved its rule 45 report, accepted a substitute ordinance for a 38th Ward item, held Alderperson Gilbert Villegas sidewalk restoration ordinance at the mayor's office's request, and recommended passage of miscellaneous items, a Leland Avenue right-of-way opening for the Lincoln Square Brown Line project, a corrected Bronzeville Lakefront easement release, an alley vacation and dedication on West Chicago Avenue, and a street and alley vacation for a CTA training and control center. Members questioned Pastor Acree at length about his transit experience, CTA leadership, the RTA funding shortfall, a possible agency merger, safety and capital needs; several members spoke in support, and the appointment was recommended for approval on a voice vote.
Topics: RTA board appointment, CTA leadership, transit safety, transit funding shortfall, transit agency merger, sidewalk restoration, right-of-way openings, street and alley vacations, public comment
Agenda items discussed
- 21:06 Public comment
- 56:14 Approval of the rule 45 report for the April 10, 2024 meeting: passed
- 56:44 Substitute ordinance for a miscellaneous item in the 38th Ward: passed
- 57:04 Ordinance requiring utilities and CDOT to plan full sidewalk rehabilitation after utility work: held
- 59:01 Miscellaneous items introduced by local alderpersons: passed
- 59:31 Opening of property to widen West Leland Avenue for the Lincoln Square Brown Line area improvements (47th Ward) (O2024-0008836): passed
- 1:04:33 Amendment of vacation ordinance to release utility easement for GRIT Chicago, Bronzeville Lakefront (4th Ward) (O2024-0008669): passed
- 1:06:42 Neighborhood Housing Services alley vacation and dedication on West Chicago Avenue (27th Ward) (O2024-0008835): passed
- 1:11:55 Vacation of North Harding Avenue and alleys for CTA control and training center (37th Ward) (O2024-0008833): passed
- 1:14:55 Appointment of Ira J. Acree to the Regional Transportation Authority board: passed
Alderpersons who spoke
- Gregory I. Mitchell (chair): Asked Pastor Acree to elaborate on why he expressed interest in serving on the RTA board. (1:48:41); Said he looked forward to working with Pastor Acree on Metra and Pace service in his ward, including senior transportation. (2:16:02)
- Gilbert Villegas (alderperson): Explained his ordinance would require CDOT to work with utilities that damage sidewalks on plans to rehabilitate entire sidewalks, and said he is still working with the administration to bring it back. (57:24)
- Andre Vasquez Jr. (alderperson): Voiced support for the Leland Avenue project and its bicycle infrastructure as the neighboring ward. (1:03:33); Praised Pastor Acree's community work but said he was conflicted, citing what he called failed CTA leadership and ridership not recovering to pre-pandemic levels. (1:17:59); Said transit board appointees need experience to hold agencies accountable. (1:20:08)
- William Conway (alderperson): Shared concerns about the state of public transportation and asked what qualifications a leader of a merged transit agency should have. (1:30:01); Asked whether Pastor Acree has a personal relationship with CTA President Dorval Carter. (1:32:49); Said the RTA board needs both transportation experts and people with a pulse on the community, and said he would support the nomination. (1:33:03)
- Scott Waguespack (alderperson): Asked why Pastor Acree had not spoken with the mayor about the appointment. (1:33:55); Said the appointing official should explain the system's needs to an appointee, while acknowledging Pastor Acree's community leadership. (1:35:02); Asked how Pastor Acree would address a projected $730 million transit shortfall by the end of 2025. (1:36:06)
- Jessica L. Fuentes (alderperson): Asked what capital improvements Pastor Acree believes transit systems need, particularly on the South and West sides. (1:42:17); Asked what Pastor Acree believes is currently wrong with the transit systems. (1:43:33); Asked why Chicago has not restored ridership to pre-pandemic levels as other major cities have. (1:44:58)
- Michelle A. Harris (alderperson): Said Pastor Acree would represent communities of color and raise questions about a lack of transit investment in Black communities. (1:50:31); Said it took 12 years to improve three of the Metra stops in her ward and that stations and buses on her side of the city are unclean. (1:51:19); Said she valued having an appointee she knows and can call, and expressed full support. (1:51:59)
- Chris Taliaferro (alderperson): Spoke in support of Pastor Acree as his pastor and mentor, citing his leadership on police reform and bringing a credit union to the West Side. (1:54:22); Argued that alderpersons themselves come from varied backgrounds and learn on the job, so challenging the appointee's qualifications would be wrong. (1:56:53); Said a busy transit stop in his community was closed because no one advocated for it, and that he wants someone with a voice for his community. (1:59:54)
- Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth (alderperson): Described transit concerns in Edgewater, especially on the Red Line, and concerns about public safety for students on transit. (2:02:28); Asked Pastor Acree for ideas on improving transit safety together. (2:04:46); Said she had been riding transit intentionally and observed a lack of reliability across the city. (2:05:40)
- David H. Moore (alderperson): Called colleagues' questions critical and important but said appointees need the capability to learn, and that Pastor Acree has relationships across the city. (2:10:01); Said he was a little concerned the mayor had not spoken with the nominee but valued that the nominee would not be a rubber stamp, and moved to recommend the appointment. (2:11:40)
- Michael D. Rodriguez (alderperson): Speaking as a West Side alderperson, said boards need organizers and people on the ground alongside business and transportation experts, and supported the appointment. (2:14:37)
Exchanges between members
- 1:30:01 Alderperson William Conway commended Alderperson Andre Vasquez Jr. views and shared his concerns about public transportation.
- 2:03:23 Alderperson Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth said she appreciated Alderperson Chris Taliaferro words about who is qualified to lead.
- 2:10:01 Alderperson David H. Moore commended the questions asked by Alderperson Scott Waguespack.
- 2:10:15 Alderperson David H. Moore commended the questions asked by Alderperson Andre Vasquez Jr..
- 2:10:22 Alderperson David H. Moore said he agreed with what Alderperson Chris Taliaferro said.
- 2:11:26 Alderperson David H. Moore commended Alderperson Michelle A. Harris point about being able to call the appointee.
- 2:16:16 The chair referred to a point Alderperson Michelle A. Harris had raised about having an appointee to call.
- 58:57 The chair thanked Alderperson Gilbert Villegas for his remarks on the sidewalk ordinance.
- 1:29:49 The chair thanked Vice Chair Andre Vasquez Jr. after his questions.