Agency is engaging directly with riders to discuss CTA’s budget process for next fiscal year
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) announced today it will host three public town hall meetings this month about its FY2026 budget. Agency leaders will discuss potential funding scenarios and hear directly from riders and community leaders about their priorities. These town halls are an opportunity for CTA to engage with the community about the rider experience in new and unprecedented ways.
“We are committed to hearing directly from our riders about what matters to them and what they value in CTA,” said CTA Acting President Nora Leerhsen. “As we work with the Illinois State Legislature to identify a solution to fund transit in the region, it is incredibly important that we engage with our riders and community partners to keep them updated and hear directly from them.”
The town hall meetings, for riders on the South, West and North sides of Chicago, will be held at the following dates and locations, all of which are wheelchair accessible.
All meetings will run from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Doors will open at 5 p.m.
- Tuesday, September 16 - Imani Village (901 E. 95th St.)
- Direct or nearby transit options include: 95th/Dan Ryan Red Line with connection to #4 Cottage Grove, #95 95th and #115 Pullman/115th
- Thursday, September 18 - Truman College (1145 W. Wilson Ave.)
- Direct or nearby transit options include: Wilson Red/Purple Line station, as well as the #36 Broadway, and #78 Montrose bus routes
- Thursday, September 25 - Malcolm X College (1900 W. Jackson Blvd.)
- Direct or nearby transit options include: Illinois Medical District Blue Line station, Damen Green Line station, as well as the #20 Madison, #50 Damen and #126 Jackson bus routes
Community members are encouraged to attend one or all these town halls, share their feedback and learn about the factors that are driving decision-making during the budget process.
Like many transit agencies nationwide, CTA is facing a significant budget shortfall in 2026 as federal COVID relief funding runs out. At each town hall, CTA’s leadership team will provide an overview of the current state of the agency’s budget, including the structural funding gap facing the agency, saving and efficiencies the agency has achieved, and important alternatives being considered under various budget scenarios.
The leadership team will also provide a vision for the future of transit in the Chicago region if transformational levels of funding are identified to support CTA and our transit partners in the region.
Riders will be able to provide input regarding what investments they’d like to see if funding is made available beyond the amounts necessary to sustain existing service.
American Sign Language interpretation will be available at each town hall meeting. If you have questions or need an accommodation, please reach out to [email protected] or call 1-888-YOUR-CTA.
In addition to the town halls, members of the community will also have the opportunity to provide feedback via a brief survey that will soon be available on the following webpage: www.transitchicago.com/2026budget/.
Input received through these town halls will be used to help shape the CTA’s proposed FY2026 budgets, which will be announced in October. CTA will afford another opportunity for interested persons or agencies to be heard at a formal public hearing (date to be announced) with respect to social, economic, environmental and other related aspects of the Proposed 2026-2030 Capital Program of Projects, 2026 Operating Budgets and Program and the Financial Plans for 2027 and 2028.