Politics

Ald. Moore Warns CTA Board Not to Be ‘Backbiting Snake’ by Opposing Mayor’s Pick for Agency Leader as Some Call for National Search

The Chicago Transit Authority board of directors saw a highly unusual heated exchange at its monthly meeting, with Ald. David Moore (17th Ward) warning directors not to be a “backbiting snake” and oppose Mayor Brandon Johnson’s reported pick for the transit agency president, city COO John Roberson.

In his fiery, unscheduled remarks to directors at the end of the usual public comment period, Moore slammed transit advocates’ outcry for a national search to find the next CTA leader and said the board should fall in line behind the mayor’s nomination.

Moore touted Roberson’s long track record of work across local government and claimed advocates for a full-fledged search don’t actually represent commuters who rely on the CTA. Among his previous jobs, Roberson once served as chief of staff for Moore.

But, Moore added, “this is not simply about Mr. Roberson. This is about stopping the BS.”

“If you want a search and all of that, put it in your policies next time,” Moore said. “If you want it, … do the work and get 26 members of the City Council to pass a resolution that says going forward, there’s got to be a search every time. Do not change the goalposts and don’t change the rules in the middle of a game.”

While Moore said he’s supportive of independent voices, he also berated directors in support of Johnson’s choice, who was first reported by Crain’s Chicago Business. Johnson has so far demurred when asked publicly about Roberson.

“(Don’t) assume power that you do not have,” Moore told directors.

While the mayor has the authority to nominate the CTA president, that person must be approved by the agency’s board.

“Work with the mayor that put you here,” Moore continued. “Don’t be a backbiting snake.”

Just two of the current board members were appointed by Johnson: Roberto Requejo and the Rev. Michael Eaddy. Two others, Chairman Lester Barclay and Michele Lee, were appointed by former Mayor Lori Lightfoot. The other three board members — the Rev. L. Bernard Jakes, Neema Jha and Rosa Ortiz — were appointed by Gov. JB Pritzker.

After Moore’s “backbiting snake” comment, Ortiz interrupted to ask the board chair and other officials whether Moore’s comments were appropriate. Moore retorted that he hadn’t mentioned anyone by name and wrapped up his remarks shortly thereafter.

The meeting’s agenda then proceeded as scheduled, but before wrapping up for the day, Jakes asked the chairman for leave to comment on Moore’s extraordinary rebuke of a board that has so far not publicly spoken about the process to replace former CTA President Dorval Carter.

While Jakes said dealing with sometimes-insulting comments from members of the public is part of the job, he took exception to Moore’s “snake” comment and said it’s as bad as when residents have called directors “stupid” or “unskilled.”

“On one hand, the mayor gets to choose, but on the other hand, we get to confirm or deny,” Jakes said. “Everyone has a right to their opinion. I just don’t believe anybody has a right to insult people.”

Ortiz agreed with Jakes, calling Moore’s comments disrespectful and out of line. And she added that she’s an advocate of a national search for the next director — which her colleagues Requejo and Jha later echoed, putting three of the board’s seven votes on the record as in favor of a search.

Also during the meeting, acting President Nora Leerhsen acknowledged that several people have been hurt or killed during incidents on CTA right-of-way in recent weeks, saying that the agency’s safety and security teams are working to address any gaps in the system. She also touted several accomplishments during her first 100 days of interim leadership — including some 2,000 tickets for smoking and the addition of overnight K-9 security units working seven days a week at Red Line stations from 95th to Cermak.

With the General Assembly’s spring session barreling toward its end-of-May adjournment, Leerhsen assured directors she’s making regular trips to Springfield to advocate for a funding solution to the $771 million budget gap that CTA, Metra and Pace are set to face next year.

Leerhsen also said she’s been pitching lawmakers on the improved service the agency could offer if funding levels reach the additional $1.5 billion annually that transit agencies and advocates are calling for, as well as engaging on “rider-focused” governance reforms.

Contact Nick Blumberg: [email protected] | (773) 509-5434 | @ndblumberg

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