For the second time this year, Chicago aldermen managed to schedule a high-profile grilling of the Chicago Transit Authority’s acting president, then failed to show up in enough numbers to actually ask any questions. Only six of the Transportation Committee’s 14 members appeared at Wednesday’s special quarterly meeting, one short of the seven needed for a quorum, which meant acting CTA President Nora Leerhsen got roughly half an hour to talk but escaped any formal interrogation.
Committee Chair Gregory Mitchell pulled the plug on the meeting after determining the panel could not legally proceed without seven members. The same thing happened in March, when just five aldermen turned up and Mitchell canceled that quarterly session as well. These briefings are part of a City Council requirement that the CTA chief appear four times a year. As reported by NBC Chicago, Mitchell still allowed public comment and let Leerhsen run through a short progress report in place of a full-blown hearing.
Leerhsen used the time to paint what she described as signs of recovery at the transit agency. She cited systemwide ridership at its highest point in six years, more bus trips tied to the expansion of the Frequent Network, and a 40 percent decline in smoking complaints since 2024. She also credited expanded overnight police patrols with what the CTA has touted as an 80 percent drop in crime on the Red Line compared with last year. Those claims were reported by the Chicago Sun-Times, and Leerhsen’s office declined to offer further comment after the meeting.
Aldermen Absent, Tensions Brewing
Ald. David Moore (17th), who attended virtually and therefore did not count toward the quorum, told the Chicago Sun-Times he was disappointed so few colleagues made it and urged members to show up “to hear what’s going on.”
Others tried to explain their absences after the fact. Ald. Bill Conway (34th), who missed the meeting entirely, said he was “losing sleep” over the possibility that Chicago might not be represented on the incoming Northern Illinois Transit Authority board. Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd) said that when he skips committee meetings, it is usually because of illness or family obligations. The Chicago Sun-Times compiled the attendance roll and aldermanic reactions from the session.
New Transit Board Looms
The timing of the non-meeting is touchy, since a brand-new regional transit power structure is about to come online. The Northern Illinois Transit Authority is set to take shape and rework who gets to call the shots on major transit decisions. A NITA board must be seated by September 1, and Mayor Brandon Johnson “plans to announce his NITA board picks by early next week,” a mayoral spokesperson told reporters, according to NBC Chicago. Several aldermen have said that backdrop makes it even more important for them to actually attend oversight hearings while the governance map is being redrawn.
What’s Next For Oversight
The City Council first moved to force regular testimony from the CTA president after a string of high-profile absences and fiery exchanges at the few hearings that did happen. ABC7 reported that the quarterly appearance rule was put in place during that fight over accountability.
With big budget questions and structural transit changes on the horizon, transportation advocates say blowing past scheduled oversight opportunities is no small thing for riders who want answers on safety and service. The CTA’s official website lists Nora Leerhsen as acting president, and she has been handling day-to-day operations since early 2025 while the agency waits for a permanent leader.
For now, if aldermen want those answers, they will need to physically show up or push the Transportation Committee to reschedule a formal hearing before the NITA board is seated. All eyes will be on the mayor’s NITA nominations next week and any follow-up moves by City Council members to compel testimony ahead of the September deadline.
