Good morning, Chicago. Ease into the week with stories about public transit’s uncertain funding future, the power of organ donation and more. Let us know what you think about this newsletter by emailing us at [email protected].
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With the Chicago area’s public transit system set to be on the precipice of a $730 million fiscal cliff in just over a year, state Sen. Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) says this crisis should be an opportunity for major reform. He’s among a group of lawmakers and advocates who don’t just want to plug the transit agencies’ budget hole – they’re looking to funnel $1.5 billion in additional state funding each year to create a sustainable, world-class public transportation system. In doing so, he's advocating to replace the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra, Pace, and the Regional Transit Authority with a new regional mega-agency. “We need a central agency that is going to address safety, reliability, (and) accessibility for the entire region – and that is what is lacking right now,” Villivalam said.
Some backstory on the crisis:
There’s wide agreement that the funding crisis has long been simmering, but the COVID-19 pandemic brought it to a boil. In March 2020, ridership naturally plummeted. The number of passengers taking the CTA dropped nearly 80% year-over-year that month.
Many transportation watchers say the underlying problem predates the pandemic. The funding formula that determines how much state funding goes to each transit agency was put in place in 1983 – a compromise that critics say doesn’t provide what’s needed to power public transportation.
What’s next?
The State Senate’s Transportation Committee is set to hold its final public hearing on a potential merger this week, looking at transit as a statewide priority.
There’s also a working group in the Illinois House led by state Reps. Kam Buckner and Eva-Dina Delgado, who’s frequently cited a vision for a transit system people view as a first choice rather than something they take out of necessity.
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Aurelio Salamanca was 78 years old when he died of heart failure earlier this year. He was a registered organ donor. (Photos provided by family)
The Gift of Hope Organ and Tissue Donor Network is urging people to become organ donors. According to the nonprofit, while 95% of people in the U.S. support donation, fewer than 60% are registered organ and tissue donors. WTTW News visited a family with deep Chicago roots as they shared how their father, a donor, saved others’ lives. Aurelio Salamanca’s impact:
Salamanca was 78 years old when he died of heart failure earlier this year. A registered donor, his family received a call from Gift of Hope when he died asking about the possibility of a donation. “He donated tissue from his body, bones from both arms and legs, and eye tissue,” daughter Maribel Carmona said.
“It’s a testament that he continues to give,” son Gerardo Salamanca said. “It’s a beautiful thing that he keeps on leading by example even in his death, and for Latinos, it’s such a taboo, right, to talk about.”
Some backstory on organ donation:
In Illinois and Indiana, there are currently 5,000 people waiting for a transplant.
“It is hard for someone to understand that one individual can actually help save up to eight lives and enhance the lives of another 25 because of the tissue donation,” said Janet Dominguez, who serves in a dual role as director of the Illinois Transplant Fund and manager of community outreach for the Gift of Hope.
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There’s a new round of closures and disruptions on DuSable Lake Shore Drive. Patty Wetli has the details.
Yesterday's Chicago Marathon was the site of a world record with Ruth Chepngetich of Kenya becoming the first woman to run below 2 hours and 10 minutes.
As Chicago and its school district wrestle with deficits and the possibility of a property tax rate increase, Cook County’s $9.9 billion budget for next year is on a path to what board President Toni Preckwinkle described as a “good news budget.”
A new recommendation released Friday says to expand consent decree to include traffic stops but give Chicago Police Oversight Board some power too. Heather Cherone has more.
Another former Loretto Hospital executive has been charged in connection with an ongoing conspiracy investigation.
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Back in the Day: October 14, 1994 - Wayne Messmer Sings National Anthem After Shooting Recovery
If you’ve been a Wrigley Field regular over the past four decades, chances are you’re familiar with Wayne Messmer. He’s been the resident national anthem soloist and was a longtime public address announcer. His booming baritone was also the voice you’d hear at Chicago Blackhawks games from 1980-1994. In April 1994, the beloved singer was shot in the neck by a 15-year-old as he was leaving a restaurant on Taylor Street. Messmer was in a coma for almost three days and his vocal cord was paralyzed from the shooting. Still, he was able to recover and slowly regained both his speaking voice and singing voice. On this day 30 years ago, Messmer returned for his first public performance: singing the “Star-Spangled Banner” for the Chicago Wolves. He nailed it. Despite not playing due to the ‘94 NHL lockout, the Blackhawks fired Messmer for working for another team. Since then, Messmer kept soloing for the Cubs and became the resident singer for the Chicago Wolves. Messmer is now part owner of the American Hockey League team.
Get Involved With This Week's Civic Meetings and Events
Every Monday, we bring you a week’s worth of select public meetings, civic happenings and other ways to stay connected to your community. Illinois General Assembly If you read our top story today, you know that the General Assembly is holding a hearing Tuesday at 10 a.m. on funding public transportation. WTTW News will have coverage. Chicago City Council On Tuesday at 10 a.m. the Committee on Workforce Development will consider making Oct. 28 First Responders Day in the city and will vote on a labor agreement with the Teamsters. Then on Wednesday at 9 a.m. the Committee in Education and Child Development will hold a hearing on the Chicago Public Schools’ budget with CEO Pedro Martinez. RTA On Thursday at 9 a.m. the Regional Transportation Authority’s Board of Directors will hold their monthly meeting, which will include a presentation on the 2025 budget. Chicago Police Board On Thursday at 7:30 p.m. the Chicago Police Board holds its monthly meeting. Those meetings are also streamed live.
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With the weather likely changing soon, what’s one fun thing you did outside in Chicago
this year? Tell us what, where, and why it was a blast.
Email [email protected] with your responses and your answers might be published.
We speak with Toni Preckwinkle, President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners.
A primer on the Chicago Board of Education elections this year.
5:30 PM | 10:00 PM
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Newsletter Producer: Josh Terry
