When the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) first announced its Meeting the Moment action plan last year, workforce and service delivery issues were at the forefront. Officials pointed to the “Great Resignation” as creating an unusually competitive job market, leading to high attrition rates among bus and rail operators. Mass resignations during the pandemic, along with […]
Tag: Chicago Transit Authority
Posted inBest of Chicago
Best reason to dare riding the CTA in the middle of a pandemic
When my boyfriend and I moved to Edgewater in June 2020, I had quiet weird feelings about becoming yet another white, north side Chicagoan, but the move brought me to the Red Line—and the Red Line brought me back to the world. Ten months later, I put on my mask, walked to the Thorndale stop, […]
Posted inCity Life
Waving at Santa from a rat-infested train tunnel
My secret Chicago talent is that I always catch the Chicago Transit Authority’s Holiday Train. All over the city, the train finds me. Commuting home from work. Meeting my friends at a dive bar. On my way to a show. If the ride occurs between Thanksgiving and Christmas, chances are I’m going to pull up […]
Posted inMusic
The Jokers contributed one great single to the 60s garage-rock boom
The Jokers’ only two recordings have both been reissued on retro compilations, but sketchy liner notes have left the band a mystery till now.
Posted inMusic
The untold story of Joe Mantegna’s teenage garage band
The Apocryphals formed at Morton East High School in Cicero and released five singles before Mantegna left to pursue his burgeoning acting career.
Posted inColumns & Opinion
CTA reverses its decision after community outcry, giving new hope for the 31st Street bus
After announcing that the pilot would end this week, the CTA is giving the route a reprieve
Posted inBlogs
Singer welcomed by America’s Got Talent—but not the CTA
Andrew Johnston has gotten accolades from Grammy-winner Sam Smith, but he keeps getting hassled for his subway and street performances.
Posted inNews & Politics
Attention, CTA passengers: Mind your manners!
Emily Post doesn’t ride the train in Chicago.
Posted inBlogs
Journalist Jamie Kalven won’t be forced to identify his Laquan McDonald story sources, and other Chicago news
Also, a judge has banned Dennis Hastert from unsupervised contact with minors and porn.
Posted inNews & Politics
Suicide along the el
Heartbreak, trauma, economics, and the CTA’s new prevention effort
Posted inBlogs
Emanuel blames the CTA fare hike on state funding cuts, and other Chicago news
Also, how Mayor Rahm Emanuel benefits from Luis Gutierrez stepping down as congressman.
Posted inBlogs
Rauner showcases new biker persona in online campaign video, and other Chicago news
Also, the city wants to issue more weekend parking tickets to generate much-needed revenue.
Posted inColumns & Opinion
CTA’s cloth seat coverings, source of public transit horror stories, might be replaced
The agency is testing more sanitary plastic seat inserts. Will riders be willing to sacrifice comfort for a guarantee of a dry seat?
Posted inBlogs
Illinois to borrow $6 billion to start paying its unpaid bills, and other Chicago news
Also, Mayor Emanuel is trying to persuade Amazon to locate its second headquarters in Chicago.
Posted inBlogs
Prosecutors: Ex-Northwestern professor killed boyfriend in a murder, sex, suicide fantasy plot, and other Chicago news
Also, Rahm says Trump administration is “playing politics” to promote its law enforcement policies.