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
- Video: https://vimeo.com/showcase/8928551?video=1180915184
- Transcript: full text (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 Committee on Transportation and Public Way, chaired by Alderperson Gregory I. Mitchell, heard eight public commenters on CTA safety, homelessness and accessibility on transit, charter bus staging downtown, the use of interim CTA leadership, and support for two transit board nominees. The committee approved its March 13 Rule 45 report, accepted a direct introduction for a 46th Ward miscellaneous item, and recommended approval of 14 miscellaneous ordinances from several wards. It recommended the appointment of Cristian Diaz to the Metra board, with two members recorded as no votes, and the appointments of Lily Diego-Johnson to the Chicago Transit Board and Marcus A. Jordan to the Illinois International Port District Board. Members questioned the nominees on the transition to the Northern Illinois Transit Authority, transparency in appointments, transit safety and policing, behavioral health, snow removal at bus stops and accessibility.
Topics: Metra board appointment, Chicago Transit Board appointment, Illinois International Port District, Northern Illinois Transit Authority, CTA safety, transit accessibility, public comment, miscellaneous ordinances
Agenda items discussed
- 11:03 Public comment: discussed
- 35:11 Rule 45 report for the March 13, 2026 meeting: passed
- 35:33 Direct introduction of a miscellaneous item in the 46th Ward (item 5): passed
- 35:52 Appointment of Cristian Diaz as director of the Commuter Rail Board (Metra): passed
- 55:26 Appointment of Lily Diego-Johnson as member of the Chicago Transit Board: passed
- 1:21:33 Appointment of Marcus A. Jordan as member of the Illinois International Port District Board: passed
- 1:28:06 14 ordinances for miscellaneous items from Wards 3, 11, 13, 16, 17, 19, 25, 26, 36, 44 and 46: passed
Alderpersons who spoke
- Gregory I. Mitchell (chair): Said Alderperson Andre Vasquez Jr. reframed question to the Metra nominee was a better question and that the committee wanted to keep questioning fair. (49:56)
- William Conway (alderperson): Said the mayor must appoint members to the new regional transit board by September 1 and asked the Metra nominee how he views Metra's role in the Northern Illinois Transit Authority. (41:51); Praised Diaz's answer and said he would support the short-term appointment. (45:28); Asked the CTA nominee about safety and smoking on the CTA, noting the many students who ride to school. (1:02:41)
- Andre Vasquez Jr. (alderperson): Asked the Metra nominee whether the current process for nominating and appointing board members needs improvement for transparency. (46:26); Clarified that he was asking how the public could better understand appointment decisions, not for a critique of the administration. (47:55); Said Diaz's organizing experience is crucial to the role and that he would support the appointment. (51:23)
- Jason C. Ervin (alderperson): Raised a point of order that a question about the executive branch's appointment process was out of bounds for a nominee and should be put to the administration. (47:34)
- Jessica L. Fuentes (alderperson)
- Michael D. Rodriguez (alderperson): Shared an anecdote about public service, said Diaz was ready for the role, and moved to pass the appointment. (53:47); Described Diego-Johnson as a neighbor and leader, noted she would succeed a disability rights champion, and urged colleagues to support her. (1:19:28)
- David H. Moore (alderperson): Said Diego-Johnson assured him disability advocacy would continue and that the MOPD commissioner's support informed his full support. (1:09:43); Said Jordan's past community work speaks to his character, commended the outgoing member, and moved to pass the appointment. (1:25:36)
- Brian Hopkins (alderperson): Asked the CTA nominee to assess snow and ice clearing at bus stops for people using mobility devices, and said expanding pedestrian snow removal citywide dilutes resources needed at bus stops. (1:17:01); Asked the Port District nominee whether a freighter long docked at the port could be scrapped. (1:26:38)
Exchanges between members
- 41:29 The chair recognized Alderperson William Conway for questions.
- 46:03 The chair thanked Alderperson William Conway.
- 46:07 The chair recognized Vice Chair Andre Vasquez Jr..
- 47:28 The chair recognized Alderperson Jason C. Ervin on a point of order.
- 47:34 Alderperson Jason C. Ervin objected that Alderperson Andre Vasquez Jr. question about the appointment process was not for the nominee to answer.
- 47:55 Alderperson Andre Vasquez Jr. clarified his question in response to the point of order.
- 49:56 The chair called the reframed question better, and Alderperson Andre Vasquez Jr. replied that he did not know questions needed approval but accepted it.
- 51:43 The chair thanked Vice Chair Andre Vasquez Jr..
- 51:44 The chair recognized Alderperson Jessica L. Fuentes.
- 53:45 The chair recognized Alderperson Michael D. Rodriguez.
- 1:01:18 The chair recognized Alderperson Jessica L. Fuentes on the CTA appointment.
- 1:02:21 The chair thanked Alderperson Jessica L. Fuentes and recognized Alderperson William Conway.
- 1:09:31 The chair thanked Alderperson William Conway and recognized Alderperson David H. Moore.
- 1:16:49 The chair thanked the Vice Chair and turned the floor over to Alderperson Brian Hopkins.
- 1:19:17 Alderperson Brian Hopkins thanked the chair and ended his questions.
- 1:20:27 Alderperson Michael D. Rodriguez reminded the committee of Alderperson William Conway point that a disability advocate has served on the CTA board.
- 1:20:54 The chair thanked Alderperson Michael D. Rodriguez.
- 1:25:00 The chair recognized Alderperson William Conway on the Port District appointment.
- 1:25:49 Alderperson David H. Moore echoed Alderperson William Conway comments about Jordan's record.
- 1:26:35 The chair thanked Alderperson David H. Moore and recognized Alderperson Brian Hopkins.