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6h ago

FTA Threatens CTA Funding Over Safety, Orders Fast-Track Security Plan

The Special Directive sets mid-December deadlines, tying continued federal support to a verifiable security plan.

A train pulls away from the Clark Street and Lake Street Blue Line stop where a man doused a woman in liquid and set her on fire on the train Monday night, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
A Chicago police officer patrols the Clark Street and Lake Street Blue Line stop where a man doused a woman in liquid and set her on fire on the train Monday night, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
A train pulls into the Clark Street and Lake Street Blue Line stop where a man doused a woman in liquid and set her on fire on the train Monday night, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
Chicago police keep watch at the CTA Red and Green Line Station in Chicago, Sept. 23, 2025. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Overview

  • Federal Transit Administrator Marc Molinaro warned the CTA to quickly increase law-enforcement presence or face the withholding of federal funds.
  • Under the order, the agency must submit a security enhancement plan by Dec. 15 and implement it by Dec. 19, with an updated safety plan due by the end of the month.
  • The FTA cited CTA-reported data showing worker assault rates above the national average since 2015 and a 150% rise in customer attacks over five years.
  • The action follows the Nov. 17 Blue Line attack that left Bethany MaGee severely burned; suspect Lawrence Reed faces federal terrorism charges and was on electronic monitoring.
  • CTA said it will respond within the timeline, while the FTA plans meetings and possible onsite inspections; Mayor Brandon Johnson pledged a response and criticized the federal move as political.