CTA Crimes Dip Slightly Despite Extra Patrols

Chicago transit agency faces deadline to submit revised safety plan or risk funding cuts

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has until mid-March to submit a revised safety plan to the Trump Administration or face possible funding cuts. The demand came after a string of attacks and crimes on rail lines and buses, including a widely reported incident where a man lit a female passenger on fire. While the CTA has increased the daily number of sworn law enforcement officers on its transit routes by 56% to a total of 120, some riders still worry it's not enough.

Why it matters

The CTA's safety issues have drawn federal scrutiny, with the threat of funding cuts looming if the agency doesn't address rising crime on its trains and buses. This comes as Chicago grapples with broader public safety concerns, making the CTA's response a key test of the city's ability to protect its transit riders.

The details

Data shows CTA passengers filed 332 police reports in January 2025, alleging everything from assault to theft and drug use. Last month, that number dropped slightly to 324. The CTA has also implemented advanced gun detection technology, with every station expected to have the system in place by the end of the month.

  • The CTA has until mid-March to submit its new safety plan to the Trump Administration.
  • The CTA recently increased the daily number of sworn law enforcement officers on its transit routes by 56% to a total of 120.

The players

Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)

The public transportation agency serving the city of Chicago and surrounding suburbs.

Andrea Lopez

A CTA passenger who reported being harassed and assaulted on the Blue Line last year.

Alderman Bill Conway (34th Ward)

A Chicago alderman who said his office has not seen a big 'decline in complaints' about CTA safety issues.

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What they’re saying

“I remember being spit on. I remember being humiliated.”

— Andrea Lopez, CTA Passenger

“From there he went on to push me, cough [and] spit.”

— Andrea Lopez, CTA Passenger

“I've not seen a big decline in complaints.”

— Alderman Bill Conway, 34th Ward

What’s next

The CTA is expected to have advanced gun detection technology installed at every station by the end of the month as part of its revised safety plan.

The takeaway

The CTA's struggle to address rising crime on its transit system underscores the broader public safety challenges facing Chicago. While the agency has taken steps to boost security, some riders remain concerned about their safety, putting pressure on the CTA to deliver meaningful improvements before facing potential federal funding cuts.