THE GOOD
On Monday, the CTA announced it would install 60 fare-card vending machines across the transit system that accept credit cards. That’s right: The agency now takes plastic (Visa, MasterCard, Discover Card and American Express credit or debit cards). It said it would finance the $4.5 million purchase of the vending machines from bonds, according to the Tribune.
THE BAD
Speaking at a City Club of Chicago luncheon Tuesday, CTA chief Ron Huberman announced ambitious plans to upgrade the agency’s bus fleet, keep rail cars clean and let riders track buses and trains. But the CTA needs nearly $7 billion just to bring it into a state of good repair, and state money for new improvements has been no sure thing.
THE UGLY
On Wednesday, transit officials said the CTA must cut $200 million from its already bare-bones budget for new trains and buses, rail station improvements and other key projects. Why? Because state leaders have not come up with a new capital spending program. The CTA board will be asked to approve the cutbacks — $40 million a year in lost state funding through 2012 — at its meeting next week.
HEAT INDEX
RedEye takes the temperature of current events
Clinton v. Obama
Fight! Fight! Fight!
’24’
Can’t wait for the prequel movie this fall. Jack-pot!
Brett Favre
Finally. Please stay retired.
Danny Noriega
Danny, watching ‘Idol’ without you is TMTH.
Red-light cameras
More tickets on the way for drivers? Total bumper — er, bummer.
Talkin’ politics
The “Texas Two-step” – Step 1 in Texas’ complex nominating process (on display Tuesday in a tight race between Democrats Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama): a primary. Step 2: a caucus that began shortly after the polls closed. In the end, Clinton’s margin of victory was about 3 percentage points, and her net gain was small too: four more delegates than Obama, according to The Associated Press.
Bandits on the run
The FBI this week issued an alert for a bank robber dubbed the 10-Second Bandit (left). The bureau linked this 10-Second Bandit — not to be confused with another 10-Second Bandit who was arrested in 2006 — to three area heists since December. In each case the robber threatened the teller with harm if his demands weren’t met in 10 seconds, authorities said.
The new 10-Second Bandit joins a veritable rogue’s gallery of notorious Chicago robbers, all chronicled in the Tribune.
– The Kangol Bandit: Robbed banks while wearing a distinctive Kangol hat. A suspect was arrested last month in connection with the robberies.
– The Second Hand Bandit: In February, the FBI offered a $20,000 reward for information on this robber, who has been seen wearing used outfits.
– The Paint-by-Numbers Bandit: A robber hit four suburban banks in 2007 wearing paint-splattered clothes.
– The Bandage Bandit: Held up 13 banks with a scarf or wrap over his scalp. Arrested in April 2005.
SAY WHAT?
“We have had our engineers start to go through Wrigley Field to give at least a rough estimate of what it would cost to bring it up to par.”
— Former Gov. James Thompson
[ chairman of the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority, estimating that Wrigley could get a $350 million to $400 million face-lift under the authority’s ownership. Thompson confirmed to the Tribune that the authority would submit a purchase offer soon. ]
