According to a March 2026 Chicago Tribune report, the CTA recorded 20.7 reported passenger assaults per 100 million passenger miles in 2024, compared to 4 to 9.5 on other major transit systems, such as those in New York and Los Angeles. ABC News also reported a woman being set on fire aboard a CTA train, while CBS Chicago reported a woman being stabbed on a Blue Line train. Additionally, WTTW News reported that by April 2026, there had been 14 criminal sexual assaults on the CTA, compared to nine during the same period in 2025.

As a female college student who regularly relies on the CTA, these reports have made me increasingly concerned about my safety while riding trains and waiting at stations, especially when traveling alone or at night. For students and workers who have limited transportation options, avoiding the CTA is not always possible. No one should have to feel unsafe simply because they depend on public transportation. Although the CTA has implemented security measures, continued incidents indicate the need for further improvements. Security should be consistently visible and accessible, especially during hours when passengers may feel more vulnerable. Emergency call buttons should also be clearly marked and regularly inspected to ensure passengers can quickly request assistance when needed.

I am calling on Alderman Gregory Mitchell, Chairman of the Chicago City Council Committee on Transportation and Public Way, to work with CTA leadership to increase visible security patrols at high-incident train stations during evening and late-night hours. I urge the committee to review existing security efforts, prioritize stations with frequent incidents, and request regular reports evaluating the effectiveness of these patrols. Without meaningful improvements, passengers will continue facing safety risks, and public confidence in the CTA may decline further. Passenger safety should not be optional. It is time for city leaders to take action.