Nik Hunder –

CTA appointees Michael Eaddy, left, and Lester Barclay, the CTA board’s current chair, talk before the Transportation and Public Way Committee meeting at City Hall on July 14, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/baiduhai)

Nik Hunder: Brandon Johnson shows us again that he doesn’t value transit but rather cronyism

July 19, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Two of Chicago's representatives on the Northern Illinois Transit Authority don't ride the system enough to know its problems.

Chicago Transit Authority acting President Nora Leerhsen, center, attends a ceremonial groundbreaking event at 115th Street and Michigan Avenue in Chicago to mark the start of the multibillion dollar Red Line Extension project on April 24, 2026. (Terrence Antonio James/baiduhai)

Commuter advocates: Make Nora Leerhsen the CTA’s permanent president

May 21, 2026 at 2:38 p.m.

Under Nora Leerhsen's leadership the CTA has shown improvements in service reliability, ridership recovery, public engagement and rider trust.

A bicyclist passes in the protected bike lanes while Mayor Brandon Johnson speaks Sept. 23, 2025, during an event in Chicago’s West Town neighborhood to mark progress on building bikeways across the city. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

Cycling advocates: The mayor endorsed us. Now he advocates against us.

March 6, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

In 2023, Mayor Brandon Johnson endorsed our bike grid plan. Now, he advocates against us and our right to safe infrastructure.

CTA President Dorval Carter Jr. speaks with a conductor after riding the newly reopened Yellow Line on Jan. 5, 2024, after it was closed following a crash in November. (Stacey Wescott/baiduhai)

Nik Hunder: Despite scrutiny, the CTA’s president rode the system only 58 times in 2023

July 24, 2024 at 8:13 a.m.

By not riding the CTA frequently, President Dorval Carter Jr. is disconnected from customers' day-to-day challenges.

CTA workers walk along Red, Purple and Brown "L" tracks near the Belmont station on Nov. 29, 2021.

Commuter advocates: The CTA vows to double rail operator trainees this year. Its data shows that’s impossible.

February 14, 2024 at 12:59 p.m.

At the November meeting of the Chicago Transit Board, CTA President Dorval Carter Jr. addressed public concerns about the staffing challenges that have contributed to a continuing decline in rail...

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