Cook County deserves a public transit system that is efficient, affordable, and accountable, not a patchwork of underfunded agencies, delayed trains, and wasteful spending. As a candidate for Cook County Board President, I support real transit reform that focuses on improving service, reducing inefficiencies, and restoring trust in how our tax dollars are spent
Transit isn’t just about buses and trains; it’s about access to opportunity: jobs, healthcare, education, and family. When our transit system fails, it’s working people who pay the price, not politicians.
Too Many Agencies, Too Little Accountability
Cook County’s transit system is weighed down by redundant layers of government, including the CTA, Metra, Pace, and the RTA. These agencies operate with little coordination, limited transparency, and minimal public input, all while draining resources on overhead and political appointments.
I support:
Consolidating overlapping transit agencies to reduce waste and improve coordination
Publishing clear performance metrics so riders know where their money goes
Shifting funding to front-line service, not administration or politically connected contracts
Empowering local communities to help shape routes, schedules, and priorities
Service First, Politics Last
Too many Cook County residents experience:
Infrequent or unreliable service
Unsafe or unclean stations and buses
Limited access in working-class or underserved areas
Rising fares with no improvement in quality
That’s unacceptable. We must prioritize riders and frontline workers over bureaucrats and contractors. Transit should be judged by how well it serves the public, rather than the number of agencies involved.
A Smarter, Fairer, More Responsive System
Reforming transit is not about spending more, it’s about spending better. I will push for:
Integrated fare systems and simpler transfers across CTA, Metra, and Pace
Investment in high-demand corridors, especially in transit deserts
Increased security and maintenance without criminalizing riders
Expanded mobility options, like microtransit and community-based solutions, where full routes aren’t viable
Leadership That Commutes With You
I’m not a career politician; I’ve waited for the same delayed trains, paid the same rising fares, and watched the same broken escalators sit unfixed for months. I understand the urgency of fixing this system because I live it too.
Cook County deserves a transit system that reflects our values: freedom of movement, fiscal responsibility, and respect for working people. Let’s move forward, together.