FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Ted Villaire
Active Transportation Alliance
(312) 563-1118
[email protected]
Community Advocates Demand Transparent, Nationwide Search for Next CTA President
Chicago, IL — April 18, 2025 — As the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) enters a pivotal leadership transition during a period of unprecedented challenges, a coalition of community organizations and transit advocates is calling on the Chicago Transit Board and Mayor Brandon Johnson to pause and take a thoughtful, transparent approach to hiring the agency’s next president.
The advocates — including Access Living, Active Transportation Alliance, Better Streets Chicago, Commuters Take Action, and Elevated Chicago — have issued a letter urging city leaders to conduct a nationwide search for a world-class transit executive. They stress that the next CTA leader must possess deep experience running a major metropolitan transit system, proven expertise in securing federal funding, a commitment to equity and accessibility, and a bold vision for the future of Chicago’s public transportation.
“Leading a transit agency is a highly specialized role, and given the specific challenges CTA riders have weathered over the last several years, they deserve an experienced, world-class transit leader who is ready to tackle the system’s challenges on day one,” the letter states.
The coalition’s recommendations include:
- Hiring a qualified executive search firm to conduct a thorough, nationwide search after robust stakeholder engagement with community members, advocates, and CTA advisory committees.
- Ensuring the next leader has extensive experience managing large-scale rail and bus operations, navigating federal funding complexities, and a personal history of consistent transit use.
- Prioritizing candidates with a demonstrated commitment to equity, transparency, collaboration, and accountability, as well as a bold vision for expanding and improving transit access — especially for underserved communities and people with disabilities.
The advocates also emphasize the importance of timing, urging that the search for a new president should take place only after the conclusion of the Spring 2025 legislative session in Springfield. With significant transit legislation and potential governance reforms under consideration, they argue that any leadership search prior to these decisions would lack critical context and risk overlooking the needs of Chicago’s riders and communities.
The call for a thoughtful process comes as the CTA faces a looming fiscal cliff, ongoing service reliability and safety concerns, and the recent retirement of longtime president Dorval Carter’s departure following years of mounting criticism over service gaps and lack of transparency.
“Chicago deserves a transit leader who understands the daily realities of our riders and is ready to champion a strong, fully funded, accessible, and reliable system,” said Amy Rynell, executive director of the Active Transportation Alliance. “We are at a critical juncture for public transit in Chicago, and this process must reflect the gravity of the moment.”
The coalition urges the Chicago Transit Board and Mayor Johnson to demonstrate their commitment to building a trustworthy, safe, and equitable transit system by ensuring a transparent, inclusive, and nationwide search for the next CTA president.
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