U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy threatens to pull CTA funding over safety concerns
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is threatening to pull federal funding to the Chicago Transit Authority over safety concerns.
Duffy sent a letter to Acting CTA President Nora Leerhsen demanding she present a plan to deter crime and stop fare evasions within 14 days.
In a press release announcing the letter, Duffy referenced Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian refugee who was fatally stabbed on a public bus in Charlotte, North Carolina, in an apparently random attack.
"While local leaders seem intent on putting the needs of criminals first, we're not waiting for the next Iryna. Chicago and Boston are on notice to take actions that enhance safety and reduce the crime affecting their riders and transit workers – or risk federal support," Duffy stated in the press release.
The release also cited the attack of a 70-year-old CTA worker who was thrown onto the tracks at a Blue Line stop last month. Two other CTA workers have been attacked in the past month.
"Chicago, as it relates to public safety, the Chicago system is failing. One in five Chicago citizens feel that using public transit isn't safe," Federal Transit Administrator Marc Molinaro said.
Molinaro said the Federal Transit Administration has tracked a 10-year increase in crime on transit systems, including in Chicago.
CBS News Chicago Investigators looked at crime data which showed, while violent crime on the CTA has dropped since it peaked in 2019, it's still up significantly compared to 2015.
In addition to plans for reducing crime and halting fare evasions, the FTA called on the CTA to provide information on "CTA funds from all sources that are programmed to improve the security of passengers and workers."
"They've got two weeks to explain to us how they are spending federal dollars as it relates to public safety, but also what steps they will take to augment public safety in Chicago," Molinaro said.
The letter warned federal funding could be redirected or withheld if prompt attention isn't given to the FTA's demands.
Asked for if he had a response to the letter, Mayor Brandon Johnson said, "No, I do not."
CBS News reached out to CTA for their comment, and they replied, "The CTA is in receipt of a letter from U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. We have reviewed the letter and will respond within the requested timeline."
Efforts to reduce crime on the CTA have been a city priority for years. As the Department of Transportation letter notes, the CTA is the third-largest public transit system in the U.S. by ridership. In 2024, the CTA reported 309.2 million rides total, including 181.7 million bus rides and 127.6 million rail rides. Officials reported a total ridership increase of 10.8% in 2024 compared to 2023.
The system also faces financial pressure without help from state lawmakers. Without additional funding from Springfield, CTA officials have warned there could be drastic cuts to service and the elimination of 24-hour service. Currently, the CTA Red and Blue lines are the only two train lines that operate 24 hours a day. There are 18 bus lines that operate 24-hour "night owl" service.
Duffy also sent a letter to Boston's MBTA general manager demanding the same report and plan for safety.