Tribune Editorial: A hardheaded rethinking of the Red Line Extension is needed now

RLE Extension Project

 I've seen articles about the cost of the Red Line Extension, and now this recent Chicago Tribune editorial. Here's an excerpt:

In the meantime, though, the Trump-induced uncertainty surrounding the project, combined with the push in Springfield this month to reform the Chicago area’s transit agencies and infuse them with more revenue as they face budget shortfalls, should resurface the lingering and legitimate questions about the wisdom of the Red Line Extension. Even if that nearly $2 billion is restored, the overall project cost that now sits at $5.75 billion — an ungodly $1 billion per mile, about twice what an above-surface train line should cost — is impossible even for fervent transit advocates to justify.

We’ve spoken in recent weeks to officeholders with a keen interest in the initiative, among them state Rep. Kam Buckner and U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley, both of Chicago. What we heard from both — and they clearly reflect how many others in local and federal government feel — is disbelief and consternation about how high the RLE cost has gotten but fatalism, too, that Chicago simply can’t afford to say no to $2 billion in federal cash.

Buckner, who knows this part of the city well, went beyond criticizing the eye-watering price tag to questioning whether extending the Red Line from its current 95th Street terminus south to the city limits makes practical sense. The neighborhoods through which that extension would run simply are hollowed out, and while project advocates hope the line will galvanize development and repopulation, there’s plenty of reason to be highly skeptical. The risk of a new $5.75 billion (or likely higher when all is said and done) train line that serves just a smattering of riders is high.

We understand the point of view that so much federal help is politically difficult to refuse, but we also disagree with it. A project that only a few years ago was penciled at $3.7 billion now requires even more than that total in financing from the Chicago Transit Authority and other local resources — and that’s after the $2 billion in federal cash.

Even if city officials are able to reverse the Trump administration’s decision, does the RLE make sense anymore given the cost?

Read the whole thing. 

19th Annual Silas Purnell College Expo

Hosted by the Chesterfield Community Council and sponsored by among others Seaway/Self-Help FCU.

19th Annuel Silas Purnell College Expo

Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025

11:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Tuley Park Fieldhouse

501 E. 90th Place

For more information

chesterfieldcommunitycouncil.org

chesterfield @ ameritech.net

(773) 651-3958

Follow Chesterfield Community Council on Facebook

 Oh and how about this for an added bonus. Are you interested in becoming a Morehouse Man?

On brining the National Guard to Chicago, for or against

Unfortunately, I hadn't been on top of the discussion regarding Pres. Trump sending the National Guard to Chicago as I should've been. It proved to be part of the contentious back and forth between the President and Gov. J.B. Pritzker especially and our ineffective Mayor Brandon Johnson.

Rich Miller wrote a column about the dynamics of the battle between Gov. Pritzker and Pres. Trump. One question to be asked if whether or not Gov. Pritzker could ever call the President to lower the temperature? Just bear in mind our Governor is running for re-election next year and may run for President in 2028.

One other comment I may add is that there were within at least the past 20 years been calls from people in some south side neighborhoods asking for the National Guard to come in. Often I've been opposed to this at least because of the idea that our neighborhoods could be under martial law.

The National Guard is a dramatic solution as opposed to requesting more law enforcement resources to come into these crime hotspots. Over the years I do believe some neighborhoods had the benefit of the Cook County Sheriff coming into crime hotspots. So this is where my support would go more than bringing in the National Guard short of an outright insurrection.

Meanwhile the President is opting to send the National Guard and federal law enforcement resources to Memphis, Tennessee.

Another focus of the contention was the Presidents emphasis on expelling undocumented aliens from this county. Chicago is a sanctuary city and I've always supported expelling especially violent criminals and support those efforts.

In the news in the past week was that ICE was pursuing an undocumented alien and was killed by an ICE agent. He was said to have resisted arrest and attempted to run down the pursuing ICE Agents.

Let's start a discussion here. Would you like the National Guard to come to our neighborhoods? Would you like more law enforcement resources in our neighborhoods (city, county, state, & federal)?

Lime scooters on the sidewalk

I wanted to share an update, at least not from Chicago Like a Local but just to share some of the pics I took recently. These were taken this month perhaps not long after seeing that video you saw on this blog most recently.

Who knew that there is a bike rack in front of Harlan High School at 96th/Michigan. And anyone who is done with the scooter actually locked it to the rack. There aren't too many bicyclists up and down Michigan Avenue unlike some of the more pedestrian heavy corridors of the north side or even the Loop. So I'm thinking locking scooters on these racks in front of Harlan would be no big deal.

In front of Harlan High School

Now these other shots are basically no-nos as far as what to do when you're done with these Lime Scooters. As discussed in the Chicago Like a Local video.

Next level squatting pt. 3 - moving in with them

 

[VIDEO] This is related to the other two entries. According to this ABC 7 report the alleged squatters involved in the other two stories had found another home to occupy. Of course I have to admit it took some guts to bring a few friends and move into this house - which March Velasquez expected to place on the market.

And, I'm wondering if there is any attorney's reading this blog. Are the police correct that this is a civil matter and they just can't kick any trespassers off a property? What does Illinois law say about situations like this?

Update to the story about "next-level squatting"

 

[VIDEO] You saw a story about this last month about a squatter who was able to produce some documents showing that they owned the home although the address shown on documents was actually in the south suburbs.

A good conclusion that squatter was removed from the property and arrested. She's being charged with burglary, fraud, obstructing identification, and trespassing.

The couple who sought media attention for this is doing work on the house and clean-up, and expect to put this house back on the market soon.

Thanks to media attention the couple got a call from a detective who said they were taking a closer look at this. I don't know about you, but this was a bit sketchy anyway.

The Red Line extension: It's starting

Red Line Extension

Via Block Club Chi: 

With preliminary work underway, transit officials say the long-awaited Red Line Extension is set to break ground early next year.

The $5.7 billion, 5.6-mile Red Line Extension project would move the south end of the Red Line from 95th Street to 130th Street. The CTA plans to build stations at 103rd and 111th streets near Eggleston Avenue, at Michigan Avenue near 116th Street and at 130th Street near the Altgeld Gardens public housing project.

Officials with the CTA and contractor Walsh-VINCI Transit Community Partners updated neighbors on the project Thursday during a Meet the Contractor session at St. John Missionary Baptist Church, 211 E. 115th St. in Roseland.

Groundbreaking is set for early 2026, and the project will be split into six zones, said Rob Cheeseman, construction manager for the project with Walsh Construction and senior project manager for Walsh-VINCI.

The project is said to be in it's design phase and currently prep work such as demolition, utility relocation, and soil sampling is underway. A lot of buildings were condemened in the areas where the extension is to be built.

Construction will begin in the middle of the route. Crews will start from 106th Place to 118th Street — including two new stations at 111th Street and Michigan Avenue — then from 99th Place to 106th Place along Eggleston Avenue, with a new station at 103rd Street.

From there, crews will complete the remaining segments from north to south:

• The existing 95th Street-Dan Ryan terminal to the Interstate 94/Interstate 57 interchange.
• Interstate 94 to 99th Place.
• 118th Street to 120th Place, including a bridge over the Metra Electric tracks.
• 120th Place to 132nd Street, including the new 130th Street-Altgeld Gardens terminal.

 Also

Much like the North Side’s Red-Purple Modernization project, two bridges for the Red Line Extension will incorporate pre-cast segments that will be built off-site. This will allow construction to be completed in a “much faster fashion” than traditional methods, Cheeseman said.
...
One resident asked project leaders to prioritize plant life along the extension route and at the four new Red Line stations.

The CTA and construction teams will return to neighborhoods near the new stations for public input sessions later this year, and residents can share their ideas for greenery, benches and other aspects of the station developments, said Tammy Chase, CTA director of communications.

I can't believe it, it's starting and very soon! 

Block Club Chi: 1 In 5 Chicagoans Will Lose Access To CTA, Pace, Metra If State Doesn’t Fund Public Transit, RTA Says

transitchicago.com

Any concerns about this current transit fiscal crisis? 

The Regional Transit Authority oversees Metra, Pace, and the Chicago Transit Authority and they're sounding the alarm over funding gaps. In what ways could this affect the CTA?

The RTA contends this impending crisis was caused by “decades of underfunding” from the state. Seventeen percent of the agency’s operating budget comes from the state — a significantly lower portion than in other major transit systems. In New York, 28 percent of its regional transit authority’s operating revenue comes from the state. It’s 44 percent in Boston and 50 percent in Philadelphia, according to the RTA.

The lack of state funding, combined with the end of federal aid provided during the COVID-19 pandemic, has left the system in a precarious position, the RTA said.

If the cuts occur, the most drastic changes would be felt in Chicago, where the CTA would be forced to shut down half the city’s “L” lines and eliminate nearly 60 percent of bus routes, cutting bus access for 500,000 Chicagoans and leaving “260,000 city workers without a reliable way to commute,” according to the RTA release. The frequency of both train and bus service on remaining lines would be reduced by 25 percent.

If this happened, the CTA would go from the third-largest transit system in the country to having fewer bus routes than Madison, Wisconsin, or Kansas City, Missouri, according to the RTA.

“Public transit is what helped shape the City of Chicago and surrounding suburbs as we know it today — it is why and how millions of us call this region ‘home,'” CTA acting President Nora Leerhsen said in a statement. “The results of a 40 percent service reduction are unconscionable, and no decisions about our service future will be made without community input.”

It seems, the state and city finds a way to make it work financially and service resumes under current levels. Of course, there are other issues I would like CTA to address such as safety and even how some riders are smoking on the trains.

Having to rely on transit at the current time cutting services would be inconvenient for me. Of course what bus routes would be cut if CTA isn't funded. And I already take for granted (at least over the years) the headways of the Red Line during the day at least. How infrequent would service on the L be once it's budgeted accordingly?

Stormy Kara: Metra's Massive Makeover

 

[VIDEO] While we wait to begin construction of the CTA Red Line extension to 130th Street, at least Metra our suburban commuter rail service is making some improvements to Metra Electric stations on the south side.

I witnessed construction on the 103rd Station in Rosemoor over the past summer. My curiosity was peaked what did they have in mind. I like the idea of a more inviting station and without having to go under the railroad viaduct to board a train.

It appears that's what they have in store for other south side stations such as 79th and 87th. And I can't wait for you to see what's planned at 95th. That's another station that was due for a makeover and it appears there will be an entrance off the street and perhaps they'll use that long - seemingly abdoned building adjacent to the streets. Thankfully will utilize it's position right next to Chicago State University.

My question is how many of you use the Metra Electric line to get to where you need to go? Do you like these improvements?

Sun-Times: CTA launching 'Frequent Network' bus service on some routes that will arrive every 10 minutes or sooner

CTA

 Old news but the longtime President of the Chicago Transit Authority - Dorval Carter - had retired in January. Many viewed him as the main problem as far as improving service on the rails and the buses. 

Then this recent article from the Sun-Times which affects many south side bus routes:

The Chicago Transit Authority said it will launch “Frequent Network” bus service that will arrive every 10 minutes or sooner beginning later this month.

Buses on eight routes will arrive every 10 minutes or sooner between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekends beginning March 23, the CTA said in a news release.

The first routes to be part of the network are the J14 Jeffery Jump; No. 34 South Michigan; No. 47 47th Street; No. 54 Cicero; No. 60 Blue Island/26th; No. 63 63rd Street; No. 79 79th Street; and No. 95 95th Street.

The program is expected to increase service by at least 25% on the J14,  No. 34, No. 47, No. 60, and No. 95 routes, the transit agency said.

...

The service will be added to another 12 routes by the end of the year, the CTA said.

The riders who thought this was good news had often complained about waits for buses. It seems to be an ongoing complaint over the years about service, the wait times for a bus or train. Another issue was safety and I have my own story about that.

If you're a frequent CTA rider do you think this is a good development? Are you riding any of those routes above and have any experience with long waits for service? 

Clean out your closets for Rosemoor Community Association, Inc

We're almost at the end of February and Saturday is the first day of March. Time to start thinking about Spring Cleaning. Here's a flyer below for more information on the Rosemoor Community Association fundraiser. 

Feel free to call them for more info at 773-264-0783

E-mail them at connect@rosemoorchicago.org

Visit their website at www.rosemoorchicago.org

 

Hotel Florence walkthrough

 

[VIDEO] I just wanted to wish you all a Happy New Year and right now it's very cold outside. It snowed yesterday morning and current temp as I write this post is 13°F. I hope you're staying warm.

If you're on your computer or even if you're able to see this on your "iPhone" - well any phone where you could surf the internet will do - you can warm up with this video.

I've always been fascinated by the Hotel Florence which I would frequently drive by when shopping at the Pullman Walmart. It would be cool if it was a functional hotel again, however, these days it's more or less a tourist attraction.

This YouTube channel known as Regal - South Side Metra Man goes on a tour of this historic building. Of course Pullman which is a nat'l monument is known for it's historic architecture and the history as a planned community and company town. And it's located right here in the 9th Ward on the far south side of Chicago.

Has anyone reading this toured this building and share their thoughts on it?

DO NOT SKIP school board races

 I found this on the FB page for Ward 15 Ald. Ray Lopez sharing this graphic of preferred candidates for the Chicago Board of Education. One of those names was highlighted yesterday Miquel Lewis, and this graphic is basically against the Chicago Teachers Union and Mayor Brandon Johnson.

It may explain the anti-Lewis mailer I shared with you yesterday.

Last townhall for the year #Ward09

•  9th Ward Community Meeting
  This WILL be the last townhall for the year
  Tuesday, September 24, 2024
  6:30 PM to 7:30 PM
  Pullman Presbyterian Church
  550 E. 103rd Street
  773.785.1100
  

Oh wait don't forget about the Alderman's Residential Night posted on his website ward09.com.

Alderman Beale will host Residential Night every Monday between 4:30 PM and 6:30 PM. Residents are welcome to walk in and meet with the Alderman, one on one on a "first come, first served basis".

**Please call BEFORE arrival**

Attendees must have a government-issued ID with a 9th Ward address.

Residential night is for residential concerns.

All business inquiries must go through the Greater Roseland Chamber of Commerce.

There will NOT be an December Community Meeting

 Ald. Beale's ward office is located at

• 34 E. 112th Place
  Chicago, IL 60628
  773.785.1100
  773.785.5849
  

Is the Red Line extension worth it?

 

[VIDEO] Just found this video this morning and discusses some thing I knew was going to happen.

For example we know that bus service through the affected areas of the Red Line extention will change. Bus routings will either be combined, extended or even eliminated. So the proposed routings we see here such as extending buses into Indiana aren't very likely.

I would like to see more utilization of Metra Electric service especially within those areas that won't be directly served by CTA extension. Especially in the South Chicago/South Shore area and certainly going into West Pullman and Blue Island - further west.

And transit oriented development. I don't know about developing high density projects. High rises for example or even developing say a new neighborhood. Roseland and Altgeld Gardens aren't very desirable areas anyway.

I would say the lot at 115th/Michigan - where a stop will be located would be a great possibility for a multi-use development. I'm thinking certainly housing and retail - perhaps another grocery store and certainly businesses with the commuter in mind. So I think in that area that's a possibility of developing something that might work for the area.

Also I'd be curious how the YouTuber - BurjTransit - gets these numbers 38,000 riders are expected to use this extension once it's online. However, it's more likely that 6,000 rides would utilize the services. I'm sure the 38K comes from CTA's projection itself.

However, let's note as he had that the Red Line ridership hasn't been great post-pandemic. CTA as a whole has issues as far as rail service and certainly if you've had to take a bus anywhere in recent years.

What are your thoughts on the CTA extension? What do you think it would bring to this part of Chicago's south side?

Some of you may have gotten this in your mailbox recently

I found this flyer in my mailbox this week a short time before this event is to take place today regarding plans for the 95th Street Corridor.

Event details

• Location: 
  The Chicago State University 
  Jones Convention Center
  9501 S. King Drive

• Date & Time: 
  Wednesday, July 19, 2024
  From 6 PM to 8 PM

• Doors open at 5:30 PM and light refreshments will be provided

Flyer is provided below

CBS Chicago: Advance work to begin for Chicago's Red Line Extension project

 

[VIDEO] The work is starting and while the funding for this project isn't yet secured, I'm still hoping to ride the first trains past 95th Street in the near future. For now, construction crews are preparing to work on utilities and possible demolish properties along the extension.

Summer Clear-Out Fair #Ward09

9th Ward - Summer Clear-Out Fair

Thursday, May 23, 2024

10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Pullman Community Center

10355 S. Woodlawn

*Early arrival strongly suggested

• Prescription drug disposal
• electronic recycling
• shredding

**All services are drive-thru only

Alderman Anthony A. Beal

9th Ward ✶ Chicago

(773) 785-1100

Ward09.com

Coming events: Job opportunity and a shred day

 There's some good information at Concerned Citizens of Chatham. And hopefully it's something you could use. Starting with a coming job fair on May 6, 2024 at the old Target store 11841 S. Marshfield which is currently the Blue Cross Blue Shield Morgan Park facility.

Blue Cross Blue Shield Morgan Park is having OPEN interviews hiring on the spot Monday, May 6, at 10am. *Bring updated resumes (copies).

*Google "STAR Interview" which will help you prepare for the interview.

Customer Advocate I is the position. Duties: speaking with members regarding insurance needs.

*Interview question examples:
They will ask the question what would you do in a situation where you had to help someone?
How you would you work to resolve matters?
*Again, google for examples.

Bring a nice personality, a smile and speak to everyone you come in contact with at the office. *Dress code: Business casual.

Also mark your calendars on June 1, 2024 a Shred Day is being hosted by State Sen. Elgie Sims and County Commissioner Stanley Moore at 8233 S. Princeton Ave.

Clevan Tucker R.I.P.

If you've never heard of Mr. Clevan Tucker, he was the longtime President of the Roseland Heights Community Association. In addition he was also a former CPS teacher and a small business owner. He passed away late in the month of March

He was known to me as person interested in the issues of Abbot Park, which is the local park at 95th & Michigan. He was at one point on the Advisory Council there, and he became President of the RHCA at some point in the last decade.

Mr. Tucker was very good at getting information out and you would be well versed in neighborhood issues if you were on his many email blasts. He most certainly will be missed.

My apologies for not noting this sooner. His funeral occurred on April 12, 2024 and sadly I wasn't able to attend. However, it was important for me to not let the month of April go by without acknowledging his transition and his accomplishments.

Thanks to the acting president of the Roseland Heights Community Association for allowing me to share information on Mr. Tucker.

My condolences to his family and friends.