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Transit reform measure shifts CTA control from Chicago mayor. Lawmaker says that's an 'asset'

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  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Wednesday, November 5th 2025 at 18:33 GMT by Chicago Tribune
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Transit Reform Measure Aims to Place Chicago’s CTA Under Mayor’s Direct Control

A newly introduced transit reform measure is poised to shift the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) from its current state‑controlled status into a structure governed directly by the mayor’s office. If passed, the measure would overhaul the CTA’s governance, funding streams, and accountability mechanisms, aiming to streamline decision‑making and accelerate improvements in service reliability and rider experience. The proposal has generated vigorous debate among city officials, transit advocates, and residents who rely on the system for daily commutes.

The Heart of the Proposal

At its core, the measure seeks to create a city‑controlled transit board that would report directly to the mayor. Under the current arrangement, the CTA operates as a state agency with a nine‑member board appointed by the governor and the state legislature. The reform would dissolve that board and replace it with a mayor‑appointed commission, effectively bringing the CTA’s executive oversight into the municipal sphere. The commission would have the authority to set operating policies, approve budgets, and appoint the CTA president and CEO.

Funding would also be restructured. Rather than being funded primarily through state transfers and federal grants, the CTA would receive a larger share of city revenues, including a portion of Chicago’s sales tax earmarked for transit improvements. The measure includes provisions for a dedicated transit tax surcharge, designed to provide a predictable funding base for capital projects such as track replacement, signal upgrades, and fleet modernization.

Rationale and Support

Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s administration argues that state oversight has contributed to chronic delays in decision‑making and a fragmented accountability structure. “We’re tired of bureaucratic hurdles that slow essential maintenance and prevent us from meeting the community’s needs,” Lightfoot said in a statement released after a city council hearing. She emphasized that a city‑controlled CTA would be able to “respond more swiftly to rider concerns, coordinate better with other city services, and align transit planning with broader urban development goals.”

The CTA’s current board has been criticized for its lack of local representation and for prioritizing state policy over the practical needs of Chicago’s commuters. Transit advocacy groups, such as the Metropolitan Transit Alliance (MTA), have welcomed the measure as a long‑awaited shift toward more responsive governance. “The city is the transit user’s home,” said MTA president Maria Ruiz. “Having the CTA answer directly to the mayor ensures that the voices of the people riding the trains and buses are heard at the highest level.”

The proposal also appeals to fiscal conservatives who argue that state oversight has led to inefficiencies. The mayor’s office claims that a city‑controlled CTA would reduce duplication of oversight and streamline budgeting processes, thereby freeing up funds for direct service improvements.

Opposition and Concerns

Critics, however, caution that transferring control to the mayor could undermine the impartial oversight that a state board provides. Chicago’s state representative, Danica Rivera, voiced concerns about potential politicization of transit decisions. “The state board offers a buffer against political pressure that can distort long‑term planning,” Rivera said. “We must ensure that the new commission will maintain transparency and maintain rigorous performance metrics.”

Another worry among transit employees and unions is job security. The Chicago Transit Workers Union (CTWU) has issued a statement warning that “the proposed governance changes could jeopardize employee benefits and labor agreements.” They have called for a thorough review of labor impact before the measure is finalized.

A potential drawback highlighted by transportation scholars is the risk of reduced federal funding. The CTA’s current structure facilitates federal grants under the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) oversight requirements. A shift to a city‑controlled entity may complicate the compliance process. “The federal funding model is built around state agencies,” noted Professor Alan McKinney of the University of Illinois at Chicago. “The city will need to build a robust compliance mechanism to retain those funds.”

Legislative Process

The measure, codified as Bill 2025-CT-01, was introduced in the Illinois Senate by Senator Patricia O’Connor on October 12, 2025. It passed the Senate with a 33–9 vote and is currently awaiting final approval by the Illinois House. The bill’s proponents argue that the measure is essential to meet the “2025–2030 Transit Modernization Plan” goals, which call for a 15% reduction in delay incidents and a 10% increase in ridership by 2030.

City council members voted 15–4 in favor of a “pre‑adoption” of the measure in a public hearing on November 2. The hearing included testimonies from CTA staff, mayor’s office officials, transit advocacy groups, and residents. A group of city council members from the South Side expressed concern that the measure may not adequately address service gaps in underserved neighborhoods. They demanded that the mayor’s office incorporate a detailed equity assessment into the final proposal.

Additional Resources

For readers interested in the legal framework of the proposal, the full text of Bill 2025‑CT‑01 is available on the Illinois General Assembly website: https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/2025/intro/intro.html?LegID=2025-CT-01. The CTA’s current governance structure and annual performance reports can be accessed at https://www.cta.org/board/overview. Transit advocates can review the Metropolitan Transit Alliance’s briefing paper on the reform measure at https://www.mta-commutes.org/cta-reform. Finally, the mayor’s office has posted a video briefing on the measure’s impact at https://www.chicagocity.gov/mayor/cta-reform.

The outcome of this reform will be pivotal for Chicago’s transit future. If passed, the city would become one of the few major U.S. metropolises to bring its transit authority directly under mayoral control, potentially reshaping the landscape of urban transportation governance nationwide.