In January, the Little Village Environmental Justice Organization (LVEJO) of Chicago was proud to take part in the TRPT's National Advocacy Day for Civil Rights. In light of Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) $300 million shortfall, doomsday service cuts and layoffs loomed large, making it hard to leave our comrades in the streets, picketing at CTA’s doors. However, now more than ever we need to push for greater transit funding and civil rights. So off we went to tell our story to Congress.

Discussing Our Demands with Congress

We met with the staff of Senator Durbin and Senator Burris, as well as the staff of Representatives Davis, Gutierrez, Jackson, Jr, Lipinski, and Quigley. Because senators’ number one priority right now is jobs, we stressed transit operations funding for jobs in both the Jobs for Main Street Act of 2010 and the Surface Transportation Authorization Act. A recent analysis of the previous economic stimulus package shows us that investments in public transportation have produced twice the jobs of highway projects.

Congress’s Response

The Congressional staff were interested in TRPT’s civil rights demand to restore the private right to sue and enforce civil rights regulations on transportation projects, so we promised to forward TRPT’s updated civil rights language so Chicago’s elected officials can support the struggle to restore equity and civil rights into our transit systems.

On a good note, Representative Quigley’s (5th District) staff informed us that Rail Modernization funds to bring the top 7 rail systems into a State of Good Repair would have its own fund, and would not compete with 5307 funds for buses.

Racial Discrimination in Transit

Some of the Congress people wanted to know more about a recent class-action civil rights lawsuit against the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA). The lawsuit alleges racial discrimination in funding. Over a 25-year period, the State of Illinois subsidized suburban Metra commuter service at 5 times the subsidy per passenger per ride as CTA.

• Metra ridership is over 70% white and higher income, while CTA ridership is over 60% African-American and Latino and lower income. 
• Metra has raised their fares 30%, while CTA has raised their’s 120%. 
• CTA carries 80% of the transit ridership for Northeast Illinois. 

The lawsuit fights for greater funding for CTA and policy reform for how funding is used. This could be a major step toward transit equity for EJ communities in Illinois. 

Where We are Now

On February 7, Doomsday cuts went into effect. Two days later we were hit with a massive snowstorm. Riders have been dealing with:

• 18 % less service on buses and 9 % less service on trains
• A 30-50% increase to already extremely long travel times. 
• Buses begin later and end earlier, stranding riders in the evening or forcing them to walk more or pay more to get around.
• Elimination of 9 express bus routes with 7 of the routes in African-American and Latino communities on Chicago’s South Side. None of the express bus service in wealthy downtown, lakefront or sports venue areas has been eliminated.

CTA workers have also been hit hard. CTA blames the workers, claiming that if transit workers allow CTA to take $76 million out of their pockets, then riders will be spared the service cuts. This strategy doesn’t even plug the hole! Rather it pits riders against public workers, playing on race and class differences to distract us from the government and corporate elites who are the most responsible for the policies that have broken transit in Chicago.

CTA has now laid off 1100 union workers, about 14% of CTA’s workforce. This is very clearly, a public punishment of a largely African-American, Latino workforce which has said, “We’ve given enough.” Negotiations are ongoing to see what cuts can be reversed.

Adelante en la lucha!  

The City of Chicago still only gives only $1 per person per year to it’s transit system! Federal support for transit operations and civil rights can help to reverse the current trend. Despite the dire situation, we continue to struggle alongside transit riders and public workers for a long-term solution and transit for all.