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Crain’s Chicago Business

Letter to the Editor by John Tillman

State must act on CTA woes

Regarding Crain’s June 16 editorial, “In superstation mess, city sinks to new low,” we agree that the Block 37 fiasco is a clear sign of fiscal irresponsibility, lack of accountability and disregard for taxpayer dollars.

As we continue to blame Chicago Transit Authority leadership, it’s also time for the state Legislature to start sharing the blame. State government is dominated by leaders who live in Chicago yet have done very little. Enough is enough.

Block 37 should represent the last straw. It’s time for our leaders to demand accountability and implement full transparency reforms at the CTA. Every dollar that goes out the door, every vendor paid and every consultant hired needs to be online in a searchable database so taxpayers can see how our money is being spent.

In the process, taxpayers might be able to recommend some ways to save hundreds of millions of dollars. In addition, an independent citizen-based and -selected audit commission should be formed to manage an audit by a private-sector firm reviewing all CTA spending historically.

There is a way to avoid the next “doomsday” scenario presented by the CTA. If Block 37 continues to be a fiscal black hole, you can bet that, with the same old “solutions,” higher taxes and another bailout are on the horizon.

John Tillman
CEO
Illinois Policy Institute
Chicago