# Committee on Transportation and Public Way meeting, April 8, 2026

- When: Wed, Apr 8, 2026, 10:00 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](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/committee/transportation-and-public-way)
- Video: https://vimeo.com/showcase/8928551?video=1180915184
- Transcript: [full text](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/transcripts/1180915184.txt) (10,910 words, automatic 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 Transportation and Public Way Committee held a public comment period followed by five appointment votes and a series of ordinance approvals. The committee approved the Rule 45 report, a direct introduction for a 46th Ward item, appointments of Cristian Diaz to the Metra Community Rail Board, Lily Diego-Johnson to the Chicago Transit Board, and Marcus Jordan to the Illinois Port District Board, and then approved fourteen miscellaneous ordinances. The meeting adjourned after the votes.

Topics: public comment, appointment approvals, ordinance approvals, snow and ice removal on CTA, CTA safety and accessibility

### Agenda items discussed

- [35:13](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5219473A-452D-F111-8341-001DD80A9E34?t=2113) Approve Rule 45 report for the Committee on Transportation and Public Way (March 13, 2026): passed
- [35:40](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5219473A-452D-F111-8341-001DD80A9E34?t=2140) Direct introduction for a miscellaneous item in the 46th Ward: passed
- [35:52](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5219473A-452D-F111-8341-001DD80A9E34?t=2152) Appointment of Cristian Diaz as Director of the Community Rail Board, Metra (2026-0023418): passed
- [55:26](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5219473A-452D-F111-8341-001DD80A9E34?t=3326) Appointment of Lily Diego-Johnson as member of the Chicago Transit Board (2026-0024-051): passed
- [1:21:33](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5219473A-452D-F111-8341-001DD80A9E34?t=4893) Appointment of Marcus A. Jordan as member of the Illinois Port District Board (2026-002405): passed
- [1:28:06](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5219473A-452D-F111-8341-001DD80A9E34?t=5286) Approval of fourteen miscellaneous ordinances introduced by various alderpersons: passed

### Alderpersons who spoke

- [Gregory I. Mitchell](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/7) (chair): Called the committee to order and noted his presence as chair. ([10:02](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5219473A-452D-F111-8341-001DD80A9E34?t=602)); Moved to approve the Rule 45 report. ([35:13](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5219473A-452D-F111-8341-001DD80A9E34?t=2113)); Requested a motion for the direct introduction item. ([35:40](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5219473A-452D-F111-8341-001DD80A9E34?t=2140))
- [Andre Vasquez Jr.](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/40) (vice chair): Noted his presence as vice chair. ([10:02](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5219473A-452D-F111-8341-001DD80A9E34?t=602)); Moved to allow remote participation for Aldermen Irvine and Yancy. ([10:49](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5219473A-452D-F111-8341-001DD80A9E34?t=649)); Moved to recommend approval of the Rule 45 report. ([35:24](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5219473A-452D-F111-8341-001DD80A9E34?t=2124))
- [Michael D. Rodriguez](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/22) (alderperson): Moved to allow remote participation for Aldermen Irvine and Yancy. ([10:49](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5219473A-452D-F111-8341-001DD80A9E34?t=649)); Introduced the appointment of Cristian Diaz to the Metra board. ([35:52](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5219473A-452D-F111-8341-001DD80A9E34?t=2152)); Corrected the name of the outgoing Metra director. ([36:35](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5219473A-452D-F111-8341-001DD80A9E34?t=2195))
- [Brian Hopkins](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/2) (alderperson): Asked Chairman Gregory I. Mitchell about the current performance of snow and ice removal at CTA bus stops. ([1:17:08](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5219473A-452D-F111-8341-001DD80A9E34?t=4628)); Expressed concern that diluting snow-removal resources could reduce effectiveness at key locations. ([1:17:40](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5219473A-452D-F111-8341-001DD80A9E34?t=4660)); Asked the chair about the status of the “ghost freighter” docked at the Port District. ([1:26:35](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5219473A-452D-F111-8341-001DD80A9E34?t=5195))
- [William Conway](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/34) (alderperson): Addressed Mr. Diaz, thanking him for his remarks on transit experience. ([41:33](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5219473A-452D-F111-8341-001DD80A9E34?t=2493)); Thanked Mr. Diaz for his answer and called his response fantastic. ([42:53](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5219473A-452D-F111-8341-001DD80A9E34?t=2573)); Introduced himself and discussed CTA safety and smoking concerns for students. ([1:02:24](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5219473A-452D-F111-8341-001DD80A9E34?t=3744))
- [David H. Moore](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/17) (alderperson): Commented on the urgency of filling the CTA board before September 1st. ([41:47](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5219473A-452D-F111-8341-001DD80A9E34?t=2507)); Acknowledged Mr. Diaz’s testimony and expressed support for his appointment. ([46:07](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5219473A-452D-F111-8341-001DD80A9E34?t=2767)); Thanked Lily Diego-Johnson for a phone call and expressed support for her appointment. ([1:09:43](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5219473A-452D-F111-8341-001DD80A9E34?t=4183))
- [Jessica L. Fuentes](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/26) (alderperson): Introduced herself as the 26th Ward alderperson and voiced strong support for Lily Diego-Johnson’s CTA board appointment. ([1:01:24](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5219473A-452D-F111-8341-001DD80A9E34?t=3684)); Thanked Chairman Gregory I. Mitchell after Lily Diego-Johnson’s introduction. ([51:44](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5219473A-452D-F111-8341-001DD80A9E34?t=3104))
- [Ronnie L. Mosley](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/21) (alderperson)

### Exchanges between members

- [1:17:08](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5219473A-452D-F111-8341-001DD80A9E34?t=4628) Alderman Brian Hopkins asked Chairman Gregory I. Mitchell about the adequacy of snow and ice removal at CTA bus stops.
- [51:44](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5219473A-452D-F111-8341-001DD80A9E34?t=3104) Alderperson Jessica L. Fuentes thanked Chairman Gregory I. Mitchell after Lily Diego-Johnson’s introduction.
- [1:26:35](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5219473A-452D-F111-8341-001DD80A9E34?t=5195) Alderman Brian Hopkins inquired about the “ghost freighter” docked at the Port District.

## Documents

- [Summary](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/828f9b05-96f3-4863-8c6c-12d20fa71d4d.pdf)
- [Monthly Rule 45](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/8a74b3b2-86c2-4591-9d59-30f0eb7aae9b.pdf)
- [Notice](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/39317120-fdfa-466a-af2f-c0ea1fa22ba8.pdf)
- [Agenda](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/meetingattachmentspublic/3d816670-15bc-4e6b-bc1d-a52414a5ee6e.pdf)

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Source: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5219473A-452D-F111-8341-001DD80A9E34 · Chicago Politics, an independent, nonpartisan tracker of the Chicago City Council. Guide for agents: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/llms.txt