I have been riding the CTA Red Line for seven years. As an urban dweller, I do not own a vehicle.
During the pandemic, I stopped using the CTA because of documented crime on platforms and in train cars. In the past few months, I started riding once again. There is a stark difference when security is present. When officers are present, there is no yelling or smell of tobacco or cannabis. When security is absent, which is most of the time, riders are exposed to smokers, sounds of uninvited loud music and people yelling at imaginary enemies. When I entered the State Street station recently, the odor of marijuana was overwhelming.
However, the smell of weed is preferable over the smell of filth. Our train lines, on platforms and in rail cars, are filthy. Seats need to be inspected before sitting down. I changed cars one time because there was vomit and urine in the car I originally boarded.
When the CTA pleads for more money, I understand the urgency. However, if the CTA can’t manage to keep things clean and safe, I wonder if we are throwing tax dollars down the drain.
— David Williams, Chicago
Public transit opportunity
Fare increases, congestion fees and highway toll increases are not “solutions” to the budget squeeze faced by CTA, Metra and Pace. The agencies should take this opportunity to reduce rush-hour service levels to reflect what will become permanently reduced peak-hour riding.
Redeploy those resources to add service across middays, nights and weekends. Operating pre-pandemic service levels in a post-pandemic world, while asking for fare increases, only guarantees more customers will abandon public transit.
— Alan Rubel, Deerfield
Sums up state government
Regarding “RTA claims it needs new money from taxpayers. But where are the big new ideas?” (Dec. 14): This editorial pretty much sums up 90% of what’s wrong with Illinois and government at large. Bad service, zero innovation, no accountability and $3.6 billion to go 5.6 miles.
If that doesn’t define total failure, I don’t know what does.
— Randall Ray, Gurnee
A maze of expressways
The aerial view of the nearly completed Jane Byrne Interchange is an impressive sight. One can only wonder how successfully folks will be able to comprehend the complex levels this concrete creation offers.
I guess the key to navigating this Gordian knot of expressways will be for drivers to follow the posted signage that can lead them in and out of the massive maze.
It took 10 years to complete this project. Let’s hope drivers don’t spend that much time trying to find a way out.
— Michael Oakes, Chicago
Tax system perilous to city
This most recent property tax hike, requiring residents to come up with thousands of dollars in mere days, is cruelty unheard of. Now with property tax bills double and more in the future, such as ours in Humboldt Park? It will destroy the city, causing gentrification to explode exponentially. How to stop it?
It’s cause and effect: Fix the property tax system. Now. It’s shattered beyond belief, and these increases are intensely shortsighted for Chicago’s future and viability. Stop tying bills to a speculative real estate market; my paycheck does not speculatively increase to cover these bills because my house value supposedly went up.
Shoving out residents who fill jobs, provide services and rely on city services forces people to seek more affordable housing in less expensive areas. This spreads gentrification like a weed. That could be what the city wants, though — all its residents, except the wealthy, to leave. Who will work in restaurants? Who will drive the buses? Who will run the shops, provide services, police our streets?
We’re not ATMs with unlimited balances. Keep the city viable and workable for residents, or no city will be left.
— Becky Marshall, Chicago
Chicago casino project
I fail to see what net value any casino development brings to Chicago. Any commercial, residential or mixed development of a similar size would also create construction and ongoing jobs and produce significant tax revenue. If residential development is included, population growth opportunities for the city would be created, which down the road likely would generate even greater tax revenue.
Businesses generate products and services of value. Casinos not only come with some problems but also largely simply redistribute money, often from many to the few, much of which does not remain in the city.
— Bruce K. Roberts, Inverness
Put cameras on the Drive
The posted speed limit on DuSable Lake Shore Drive is 40 mph on the North Side and 45 mph on the South Side. That speed limit, however, is largely ignored. Motorists race at highway speeds without consequences.
Years ago, police monitored and ticketed those who exceeded the speed limit. I do not advocate the resumption of police monitoring and ticketing. Today, technology, namely speed cameras, obviates the need for such action. I strongly believe that cameras installed on the Drive would serve the public interest by promoting safety, as well as generating revenue.
— Ava Holly Berland, Chicago
Making cold fusion a reality
In the 1960s, the U.S. space program put a man on the moon in less than 10 years. Now that we know it’s possible, the political will of the’ 60s should be resurrected and applied to making fusion technology a reality by the end of this decade.
Clearly, the need is much greater than manned space missions.
— Richard Webb, Lisle
Join the conversation in our Letters to the Editor Facebook group.
Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
