Chicago CTA Risks Losing Federal Funds

- The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has given the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) a deadline of March 19, 2026, to submit a revised and more aggressive security plan. Failure to meet this deadline could result in the loss of up to $50 million in federal funding. - The FTA's directive was prompted by what it called a "years-long surge in violent crime and worker assaults". Federal data indicates that the rate of assaults on CTA transit workers has surpassed the national average for comparable transit agencies every year since 2015. - Violent crime on the CTA system reached its second-highest level in a decade during the 12 months ending in July 2025. While overall crime on the CTA has seen a downward trend in early 2024, the rate of violent crime per ride remains higher than pre-pandemic levels. - The federal rejection of the CTA's initial safety plan was due to its failure to set significant targets for reducing assaults and other crimes. FTA Administrator Marc Molinaro stated the plan was "materially deficient" and failed to "measurably reduce incidents of assaults." - In response to the safety concerns, the CTA and the Chicago Police Department (CPD) have increased the number of officers patrolling the system daily from an average of 77 to 120. The number of private security K-9 units has also been increased. - The potential loss of federal funds coincides with a projected budget shortfall of as much as $250 million for the Regional Transportation Authority, which oversees the CTA, starting in fiscal year 2026. This could lead to service cuts of up to 40% starting in late 2026 if the shortfall is not addressed. - Major modernization projects outlined in the CTA's five-year capital improvement plan could be impacted by a loss of federal funds, including the Red Line Extension, the All Stations Accessibility Program (ASAP), and the electrification of the bus fleet.