The Chicago Transit Authority is ending contracts with at least two security companies that have been patrolling trains and stations, and replacing them with police patrols.
CTA officials said this decision will strengthen its system by taking money previously spent on unarmed guards and using it to pay armed Chicago police officers to patrol the trains.
The CTA first contracted with the private security firms in 2022. Now, four years later, the contracts have been canceled.
But the affected security companies said the decision came as a surprise, calling it “abrupt” and “devastating,” and claiming they thought their contracts were being extended another year.
“As we grow our resources, we also have to be strategic and smart about what is the right resource on CTA, and that was the decision here, not to continue to add funds to that contract and to move forward with other resources,” said CTA Acting President Nora Leerhsen.
Leerhsen said that the contract will expire when all of the funds are used.
“Safety is our top priority,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson.
The CTA promised a 75% increase in police patrols on trains and buses in a safety plan submitted to the Trump Administration in March. With officers in CPD’s public transit section working more hours, doubling off-duty officers patrolling the system, and Cook County Sheriff’s Police officers working rail lines for 4,400 hours a month.
Agency officials said that the increase would come from an uptick in Chicago Police Department hours dedicated to CTA as well as a partnership with the Cook County Sheriff’s Office.
The safety plan stipulated that these armed officers would conduct ride-along missions on bus routes with high crime rates. They would also board and inspect trains.
Last week, the CTA broke down how it would spend new Regional Transportation Authority funding for enhanced security. It would include $20 million to cover the expanded CPD patrols from 99 officers to 180, $10 million to increase the number of K-9 units from 164 to 200, and $12 million for the added sheriff’s deputies. That plan is still being considered.
When asked if any of the teen takeovers factored into the consideration, he replied, “It’s a small segment of the larger population that ruin it for others, but like I’ve said repeatedly, it’s about accountability and opportunity.”
The public input period for the RTA spending plan began on Monday.
CBS News Chicago has asked the CTA if money freed up by canceling its security contracts is reflected in the RTA spending plan figures.
One rider who spoke to CBS News Chicago said he was skeptical that a uniform and a badge would make a difference when it came to preventing crime. But another rider, Josh White, said he approved of the move.
“I think that’s a step in the right direction, absolutely,” White said, “because the police officers have more authority, and they can actually get more involved — versus a security company, they may not feel like they can really, you know, do something that a police officer can do — you know, make an arrest, or like get physical or contact someone when someone is bringing danger to other people on the train.”
Meanwhile, the companies with which the CTA contracted said they learned about the end of their contracts abruptly and with little notice.
A spokesperson for Monterrey Security said the company was notified on Friday that the last shift for its 250 unarmed guards would be that very night.
A Monterrey subcontractor, Kate’s Security, said, “The CTA’s abrupt decision is devastating for our company.”
The union representing some of those unarmed guards says the CTA blamed the ending of their contracts on “non-appropriation of funds.”
CTA officials said the reallocated money is going to resources “better equipped to help keep riders and staff safe.”
In a statement, the Chicago Aldermanic Black Caucus condemned the CTA’s decision to end its contract for unarmed guards.
“The decision to remove these dedicated public safety professionals with zero warning is not just a logistical failure; it is a direct blow to the economic stability of Black-owned firms and the families they support,” said Ald. Stephanie Coleman (16th), who chairs the Black Caucus. “At a time when we are fighting for equity and investment in our neighborhoods, it is appalling to see the CTA unilaterally discard a workforce that has been on the front lines of transit safety.” zero warning is not just a logistical failure; it is a direct blow to the economic stability of Black-owned firms and the families they support,” said Ald. Stephanie Coleman (16th), who chairs the Black Caucus. “At a time when we are fighting for equity and investment in our neighborhoods, it is appalling to see the CTA unilaterally discard a workforce that has been on the front lines of transit safety.”
CBS News Chicago reached out to CTA and CPD on the enhanced safety plan timeline, but has yet to hear back.
Police searching for suspects after CTA passenger attacked
The contract update comes as police search for the group they said beat a passenger on a CTA train in the Loop last week.
The incident happened on April 14, just after 9:30 p.m. in the 600 block of South State Street.
Chicago Police Department
Anyone with information on their whereabouts is asked to contact the Public Transportation detectives at 312-745-4447 or submit an anonymous tip at CPDTIP.com, using reference number JK189284.
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