WGN: Chicago's CTA changes, safety concerns, crime rates & more transit news

 Below are a compilation of stories regarding safety on CTA. With the Trump administration in Washington, there have been threats to federal funds to CTA if there no real plan for safety on public transit.

In recent weeks, the first story you see in the below video was that the Cook County State's Attorney has started a task force which will include Chicago Police to address criminal issues on CTA. I like the idea of banning an offender from CTA while their case is going through the courts.

Last year from about March to December - it seems the earliest story was December 18, 2025 - I saw a lot of things going on with CTA when I was riding it regularly. 

For example the Red Line has always had people engaging in panhandling and solicitation. Smoking has been an issue in recent years, it's not just cigarettes it's also weed. I would like CTA to address the smoking and the panhandling & solicitation. 

The the case of panhandling and solicitation, I really don't want to hamper anyone's ability to make a living at the same time I think the Red Line is safer without this activity. Over the years, I've seen people on the train begging and of course people selling anything from the Chicago Sun-Times newspaper, to telephone cords, ID Wallets, barrettes, socks, candy, sometimes CTA passes to loose squares or loud most recently. One late night years ago on the train a man was peddling shots of liquor - small bottles of alcohol.

I hear the Blue Line is awful and just think this is the train to and from O'Hare. Any crime or issues on that line needs to be addressed for sure. And one factor in the surge of police on CTA is the woman set on fire on the Blue Line by a mentally disturbed man.

Finally I've seen that in addition to K-9 security, Chicago Police, now we have the Cook County Sheriff patrolling CTA. And there are some videos circulating on social media - especially Instagram - showing the Sheriff's Deputies don't play.

Meanwhile's let's get to the video [VIDEO]

Does anyone have any thoughts on safety on CTA buses and trains. Does anyone have any thoughts about their commutes on the CTA Red Line especially?

Red Line Extension meetings this month

 CTA is hosting meetings on the South Side to discuss what to expect when construction begins on the extension. There will be three of these meetings this month.

You are encouraged to register: Click this link to RSVP.

March 10, 2026

Altgeld Gardens Community Youth Center

951 E. 132nd Street

5:30 PM to 7:00 PM

March 11, 2026

Another Chance Church

9550 S. Harvard Ave

5:30 PM to 7:00 PM

March 12, 2026

Visions Odeum & Events

11901 S. Loomis St. 

5:30 PM to 7:00 PM

h/t Concerned Citizens of Chatham

Early voting started on February 12

The image you see is the back of a sample ballot mailed to voters from the Cook County Democratic Party. The sample ballot itself shows you the slated or endorsed candidates for the county party. 

As far as early voting to be able to vote in all Chicago wards that's not available until March 2, 2026. Before then you have to go to site in downtown Chicago, the voting supersite located at 137 S. State Street.

Oh wait how many of you remember the old CVS which was formerly an Osco Drug store right on the northest corner of State & Adams? No excuse if you take the CTA Red Line, just get off at Jackson and then exit the station on Adams Street.

However, if you want to do early voting closer to home in the 9th Ward, then on March 2, 2026 you can go to Palmer Park as you see above at 201 E. 111th Street. If nothing else you can take the 111 CTA Bus there. Presumably any of these sample ballots will have the nearest early voting site to you printed on it depending upon your address.

Of course what I would suggest is checking the ChicagoElection.gov site to check for other early voting locations throughout the city. Especially once that becomes available in all Chicago wards for 2026.

Happy Presidents Day!
 

9th Ward Community Meeting Schedule #Ward09

 Hat-tip Concerned Citizens of Chatham

Bear in mind the meeting coming up this month on Tuesday, February 24, 2026 which features the Chicago Water Department. All meetings held at the Pullman Presbyterian Church located at 550 E. 103rd Street.

The year's schedule for all community meetings are below.

Recent 34th State Rep. District Mailers

 Nothing particularly new this time, just these mailers from candidate Aja Kearney. Remember I shared a mailer from another candidate last year for one Cleopatra Cowley. Both are running to succeed state Rep. Nick Smith who's retiring in 2027.

The primary election first and foremost is coming March 17, 2026. I need to find out about early voting.

This first mailer is more introductory for those who want to know her background. She wants us to know she's a union member and a small business owner.

Preservation Chicago: Roseland’s South Michigan Avenue Commercial District

 First and foremost, Happy New Year. I mark this almost one month in 2026 and allow me to share this history video regarding the Roseland neighborhood.

[VIDEO] We see a history lesson in this video highlighting Roseland's history as a settlement for Dutch immigrants and even as a station on the Underground Railroad. Never heard of that in your history class well here's a link learn about it.

And then the current story and what led up to it. The loss of manufacturing jobs in this part of the city led to disinvestment in Roseland. However, would the future look up with that Red Line extension being built in the next decade or so?

I'd like to see an updated Roseland history video discussing the Red Line extension.