Chicago Transit Board Nominations Spark Advocacy Concerns Over Expertise and eTOD Focus

TITLE: Chicago Transit Board Nominations Spark Advocacy Concerns Over Expertise and eTOD Focus
SLUG: chicago-transit-board-nominations-spark-advocacy-concerns
EXCERPT: Mayor Brandon Johnson’s recent nominations for the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) board have drawn criticism from transit advocates who question the inclusion of members lacking transit expertise and the omission of an equitable transit-oriented development (eTOD) proponent.
CATEGORY: transportation
TAGS: Chicago, CTA, transit, urban planning, eTOD, NITA, Mayor Johnson, public transit
SEO_TITLE: Chicago Transit Board Nominations Under Scrutiny by Advocates
SEO_DESCRIPTION: Transit advocates express disappointment over Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s CTA board nominations, citing a lack of transit expertise and the exclusion of an eTOD champion.
MEDIA_QUERY: Chicago public transit station and CTA train
IMAGE_ALT: A Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) train arriving at an elevated station platform.

Chicago transit advocates have voiced strong criticism regarding Mayor Brandon Johnson’s recent nominations for the revitalised Chicago Transit Board. The nominations, made as part of the new governance structure mandated by the Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) Act, have raised concerns about the prioritisation of transit expertise and the exclusion of key figures in equitable transit-oriented development (eTOD).

New Board Structure

The newly established NITA Act reshapes regional transit governance, including the CTA. Under the previous structure, the Chicago mayor appointed four out of seven CTA directors. However, the new framework reduces the mayor’s direct appointment power to three out of seven board members. The nominations are subject to approval by the Chicago City Council.

Mayor Johnson’s Picks

Mayor Johnson has nominated individuals for the CTA, Metra, and Pace boards. Among the nominees for the CTA board is the re-appointment of Pastor Michael Eaddy, who initially faced some pushback during his first appointment in 2024 due to a perceived lack of transit expertise. Critics argue that Eaddy has not significantly distinguished himself during his tenure on the board.

Additionally, current CTA Board Chair Lester Barclay has been re-nominated and also selected for the NITA board. This decision has drawn particular ire from advocates, who point to Barclay’s past expressions of skepticism regarding the potential dilution of local accountability and autonomy stemming from the new regional transit authority structure.

Exclusion of eTOD Champion

In contrast to the re-appointments drawing criticism, transit advocates are particularly dismayed by the omission of Roberto Requejo from the CTA board. Requejo previously served as the executive director of Elevated Chicago, a non-profit dedicated to promoting equitable transit-oriented development. His organisation played a significant role in the creation of the city’s eTOD plan. Advocates argue that his expertise is crucial, especially given the CTA board’s expanded development authority.

Speculation Surrounding Requejo’s Omission

The Chicago Tribune’s transportation reporter, Talia Soglin, has suggested that Requejo’s exclusion might be a consequence of his opposition to Mayor Johnson’s previous plan to nominate his former chief operating officer, John Roberson, for a transit-related role. Roberson, like Eaddy, was noted for lacking significant transit expertise. This alleged opposition occurred during a notable CTA board meeting in May 2025.

Advocacy Group Reactions

While several Chicago-based transit advocacy organisations and experts were contacted for statements, few were prepared to comment by press time. Streetsblog Chicago indicated that it would update its reporting as more statements become available. However, commentary shared on social media platforms like Bluesky, particularly from Scott Presslak (Star:Line Chicago), has been sharply critical. These online discussions highlight a sentiment that the mayor is retaining a board chair openly skeptical of regional transit integration and a pastor, while sidelining individuals with demonstrable transit and eTOD experience.

The criticism centres on what is perceived as a mismatch between the nominations and the evolving needs of Chicago’s public transit system. Advocates express concern that retaining individuals with limited transit backgrounds and removing proponents of equitable development could hinder the CTA’s ability to deliver responsive, community-centred service and effectively implement eTOD policies.

Key facts

The implications of these nominations for Chicago’s urban planning and transportation future are significant. The exclusion of Roberto Requejo, a proponent of equitable transit-oriented development, raises questions about the city’s commitment to integrating housing and economic development strategies with its transit network. Equitable TOD aims to ensure that development around transit hubs benefits existing communities and mitigates displacement, a critical consideration for a city like Chicago.

Furthermore, the continued presence of board members whose expertise in transit operations is questioned, coupled with the potential sidelining of those with direct experience in critical areas like eTOD, could impact the CTA’s long-term strategic planning. This includes service reliability, accessibility, and the agency’s role in shaping sustainable urban growth.

The upcoming City Council approval process will be a key moment to watch, as it may reflect the broader concerns raised by transit advocates regarding the qualifications and priorities of the individuals tasked with overseeing Chicago’s vital public transportation system.

Source: Streetsblog Chicago, https://chi.streetsblog.org/2026/07/07/calling-out-in-transit-advocates-ridicule-may-re-nominating-nita-skeptical-barclay-pastor-eaddy-to-new-cta-board-leaving-behind-tod-friendly-requejo