Title VI public notice and non-discrimination statement

The Chicago Transit Authority is committed to providing non-discriminatory service and ensuring that no person is excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to discrimination under CTA’s programs, services or activities on the basis of race, color or national origin, as protected by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

CTA also prohibits discrimination based on gender, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, or any other protected status described in applicable federal, state or local law.

Any rider who requires language assistance, seeks more information on CTA’s nondiscrimination obligations or would like to file a complaint of discrimination can contact Customer Service at [email protected] or by calling 1-888-YOUR-CTA (or via 711 relay for deaf or hard-of-hearing assistance).

People may also file a complaint with the Federal Transit Administration’s Office of Civil Rights. Their headquarters office is located at 1200 New Jersey Ave, SE, Washington D.C. 20590 and the regional office is at 200 West Adams Street, Suite 320, Chicago, IL 60606.

Filing a Complaint

Any person who believes that CTA has discriminated against him/her on the basis of race, color, or national origin may file a Title VI complaint. This can be accomplished by completing and submitting CTA’s Title VI Complaint Form to CTA’s Equal Employment Opportunity Unit (“EEO Unit”) by e-mail or mail to the address indicated on the form, or calling the Hotline at 312-681-2610.

Form versions:

Customers are encouraged to file or report a complaint within (30) thirty calendar days of the alleged discrimination. Failure to submit a completed Title VI Complaint Form to the EEO Unit within 180 days of the alleged discrimination may result in an Administrative Closure of the complaint.

Initial review of a Complaint

When CTA’s EEO Unit receives a Title VI Complaint Form submitted in accordance with the above process, it will review the complaint to determine whether it identifies a potential Title VI violation.

If the EEO Unit determines that additional information is needed to conduct the initial review, it will contact the customer. The customer will be given a reasonable amount of time to provide the requested information. If the customer does not provide the requested information, no longer wishes to pursue the matter, or is otherwise non-responsive, the complaint may be administratively closed by the EEO Unit.

At the conclusion of the EEO Unit’s initial review of the complaint, the customer will receive an Acknowledgement Letter. This letter will indicate the results of the EEO Unit’s initial review of the complaint regarding whether a Title VI violation potentially occurred. If it is determined that a Title VI violation did not potentially occur, the complaint will be Administratively Closed. If it is determined that a Title VI violation did potentially occur, the EEO Unit will proceed to investigate the complaint.

Investigation of a Complaint and Internal Appeal Process

At the conclusion of the EEO Unit’s investigation of a potential Title VI violation, the customer will receive a Determination Letter. This letter will indicate the outcome of the investigation and convey whether a violation did or did not occur.

If the customer seeks to internally appeal the EEO Unit’s determinations, the customer may request an appeal to CTA’s Title VI Appeals Committee by completing and submitting the Title VI Appeal Form to the address or e-mail address listed on the document. Title VI appeals must be filed within fifteen (15) business days from the date of the Determination Letter. The Title VI Appeals Committee will not consider any new evidence or re-investigate a complaint. The Title VI Appeals Committee will review the investigation and reach a conclusion about the findings within thirty (30) business days.

Filing a Complaint with U.S Department of Transportation

In addition to customers’ rights to file a complaint with CTA, customers also have the right to file a Title VI complaint with U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration’s Office of Civil Rights. The headquarters office is located at 1200 New Jersey Ave, SE, Washington D.C. 20590, and the regional office is located at 200 West Adams Street, Suite 320, Chicago, IL 60606.

If a customer files a Title VI complaint with the CTA’s EEO Unit and also files a complaint regarding the same subject matter with an external agency or court, the EEO Unit will cease its investigation into the matter.