Federal Pressure Spurs Security Boost
On Friday, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) implemented heightened security across its public transport network. This action came one day after the Trump administration reiterated its threat to withdraw $50 million in federal funds unless a more robust plan to combat crime was presented.
The Chicago Police Department has escalated its daily patrols on the transit system by 56%, increasing officer numbers from 77 to 120. Additionally, private security K-9 units will see a 10% rise, bringing the total to 188.
Federal Demands for Monthly Crime Reduction
The Federal Transit Administration sent a letter to CTA President Nora Leerhsen on Thursday, criticizing the agency's submitted plan as insufficient. The administration insisted on a more detailed strategy that specifies monthly targets for reducing assaults on staff and passengers over the next six months, rather than maintaining static goals.
"By proposing flat targets for the entire first quarter of the Dec. 15 plan, CTA has failed to set targets showing reductions for 'each' month as ordered," wrote Federal Transit Administration chief Marcus Molinaro.
Molinaro emphasized that the agency "requires full implementation of the security surge" to ensure "the impact of increased law enforcement presence should be immediate" and reflected in future crime statistics.
Response to a Violent Incident
The federal crackdown was prompted by a November incident where 26-year-old Bethany MaGee was assaulted with gasoline and set on fire aboard a city L train. Federal prosecutors have charged 50-year-old Lawrence Reed of Chicago with a terrorist attack, which could result in a life sentence.
The CTA now has 90 days to comply with the federal requirements or risk losing the funding.
CTA's Security Strategy and Budget
CTA spokesperson Catherine Hosinski declined to comment on ongoing federal discussions but noted that the transit system's budget, approved in early November, allocated $5 million for enhanced security measures.
The security surge involves Chicago police officers volunteering for extra duty on their days off, supplementing regular patrols of CTA property.
"Chicago police officers are at the core of CTA’s multilayered security strategy," Leerhsen stated. "We expect the additional police and K-9 presence on our system to further increase security visibility."
Crime Statistics and State Support
Police data indicates that violent crimes reported at CTA locations through Thursday totaled 933 for 2025, a decrease of 18 from 2024.
In a related development, Governor JB Pritzker signed a statewide transit overhaul into law on Tuesday, injecting an additional $1.5 billion annually into public transport and incorporating long-term safety and security initiatives.
