New Transit Crime Task Force Launched

Cook County State's Attorney Eileen O'Neill Burke announced the launch of a Transit Crime Task Force on Tuesday to prosecute offenses on Chicago Transit Authority property. The dedicated unit will focus on violent crimes, robberies, thefts, and other serious incidents across CTA buses, trains, and stations. O'Neill Burke said the initiative aims to enhance rider safety and hold offenders accountable. ### Who Leads the Task Force? Assistant State's Attorney Jasmine Watkins was named head of the new unit. Watkins oversees a team of five prosecutors drawn from the felony review and charging divisions, according to a Cook County State's Attorney's Office release. The group reports directly to O'Neill Burke and operates out of the office's criminal division at 69 W. Washington St. in downtown Chicago. ### What Crimes Are Targeted? The task force prioritizes felony cases including aggravated battery, armed robbery, sexual assault, and gun-related offenses occurring on CTA platforms, rail lines, and buses. Prosecutors will handle cases from arrest through trial, with a focus on swift charging decisions within 48 hours of incidents. In 2025, Chicago police reported 1,247 violent crimes on CTA property, up 15% from 2024, per preliminary CPD data cited by O'Neill Burke. (; ) O'Neill Burke highlighted recent high-profile incidents, such as a March 2026 fatal stabbing at the Jackson station and a April shooting on the Red Line. "Riders deserve to feel safe commuting to work or school," she said at a press conference outside CTA headquarters. ### How Does It Work with Police and CTA? The unit coordinates with Chicago Police Department's Mass Transit Division, which patrols CTA stations and responds to 911 calls. Detectives from the transit unit forward cases directly to Watkins' team for review, bypassing standard intake queues. CTA security footage and witness statements will feed into prosecutions, with task force attorneys attending station-level briefings weekly. ### What Public Outreach Is Planned? Starting June 1, the office will roll out posters and digital ads at all 145 CTA rail stations displaying a dedicated tip line: 312-603-TIPS. Riders can report crimes anonymously via text or app. Community forums with aldermen and transit advocates are scheduled for June 10 in the South Loop and July 15 in Rogers Park. O'Neill Burke's office allocated $250,000 from its 2026 budget for the campaign. ### Why Now, After Rising CTA Crime? CTA ridership hit 1.6 million daily trips in April 2026, recovering to 85% of pre-pandemic levels, but violent crime reports climbed 22% year-over-year, per CTA's monthly security report. Mayor Brandon Johnson endorsed the task force in a statement, calling it "a vital step toward safer public transit." O'Neill Burke, elected in 2024, pledged during her campaign to prioritize mass transit prosecutions amid voter concerns over downtown safety. (; ) ### What's the Timeline for Results? Prosecutors expect to file charges in 50 CTA cases by July 31, with the first trials set for September in Cook County Circuit Court. Monthly crime stats will track progress, published on the State's Attorney website. The task force budget runs through December 31, 2026, with renewal pending 2027 appropriations review by County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. ```