Chicago City Council July 20, 2022
Referred to the Committee on Public Safety
RESOLUTION CALLING ON THE CITY OF CHICAGO COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY TO HOLD A SUBJECT MATTER HEARING ON RIDERSHIP SAFETY WITH THE CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY AND CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT
WHEREAS, The City of Chicago (City) is home to the nation's second largest public transportation system, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), serving more than 800,000 riders throughout the City and 35 surrounding suburbs per day; and
WHEREAS, Approximately, a quarter of City households do not own a vehicle, and therefore, significantly rely on the CTA for a majority of their transportation needs; and
WHEREAS, Today, the CTA experiences many Covid-19 related consequences like staff shortages and increased crime due to systemic barriers exacerbated by the pandemic; and
WHEREAS, While the Loop is beginning to see. a rise of 71.3% of 2019 hotel occupancy, the pandemic still has significant impact on the City's office tenancy at only 44%; and
WHEREAS, Recently, a CBS2 report revealed violent crime on the CTA is at its highest since 2015 with nearly 375 violent crimes reported on CTA property thfs year, and
WHEREAS, Although COVID-19 and a transition to remote work contribute to low office occupancy-increasing crime rates and trips characterized by public urination, defecation, smoking, and disruptive behavior-all contribute to an unlikely ridership and office attendance across the entire City; and
WHEREAS, Earlier this year, the CTA hired and strategically deployed 300 unarmed security guards across its system to deter unruly and criminal behavior; and
WHEREAS, Despite these efforts, the guards have been unable to make arrests for violating CTA rules and are often ignored or outmatched when confronting aggressive riders; and
WHEREAS, Earlier this year, Mayor Lightfoot, Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown, and Chicago Transit Authority President Dorval Carter, Jr. announced dedicated teams to address gang and narcotics on transit, as well as increased patrol on CTA rail lines; and
WHEREAS, Although plans have been implemented, these investments do not appear to be resulting in notable improvements, with several significant criminal incidents occurring on the CTA in the last few weeks, putting into question resource allocation and further reducing the chances of economic revitalization; and, now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that we the members of the City Council call on the Committee on Public Safety to hold a hearing with the Chicago Transit Authority, and President Dorval Carter, Jr.; and the Chicago Police Department and Superintendent David Brown, providing the City Council with an opportunity to hear and question their efforts in reducing crime and increasing CTA ridership. i
