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Good morning, Chicago. We have stories on the CTA’s just-approved budget for 2025 and a look at how Illinois Dems are preparing for another Trump presidency.
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(Rawf8 / iStock)
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The Chicago Transit Authority board on Wednesday approved the agency’s $2.16 billion operating budget for 2025 — with CTA President Dorval Carter facing sharp questions from directors about proactive security measures, a need for better engagement with the public and board, and increased transparency.
Board members said improved communication will be key to the agency’s survival as it faces down a projected $539 million fiscal cliff in 2026, after the CTA runs out of the pandemic-era relief funding that’s been keeping its operating budget afloat. Without the needed state funding, the CTA will be faced with service cuts and layoffs.
Odds of a bailout from the federal government got even slimmer last week with the reelection of former President Donald Trump, under whose leadership former top officials at the U.S. Department of Transportation tried unsuccessfully to make major trims to the grant programs that transit systems rely on for major capital projects. Given the uncertainty a second Trump administration poses, the CTA is working to land the final federal approval and funding commitments for the Red Line Extension before the Biden administration hands over the keys.
The budget approved Wednesday keeps fares steady and, officials say, will fund service levels that exceed pre-pandemic bus and train runs in 2019. Directors also approved a $6.95 billion capital improvement budget from 2025 through 2029 that includes the massive Red Line Extension project.
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Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch appears on “Chicago Tonight” on Nov. 12, 2024. (WTTW News)
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As state lawmakers returned to Springfield this week, Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch joined “Chicago Tonight” to talk about the two-week veto session on the books for legislators that comes on the heels of Trump’s election win. Democratic leaders — who kept their veto-proof majorities in both the state House and state Senate — are discussing what, if any, actions the state may take to “shore up” protections ahead of a second Trump presidency.
On potentially pushing against an abortion ban:
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An increasing number of people have come to Illinois in search of abortion care in the last two years. As talk of a federal abortion ban under Trump’s administration continues, Welch said Illinois will continue to strengthen reproductive rights. An amendment to enshrine abortion as a right in the state constitution is not off the table.
On balancing the state budget:
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Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s budget office released its five-year projection for the state, predicting a shortfall of more than $3 billion for the coming fiscal year, which starts July 1.
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“We passed balanced budgets since I’ve been speaker that take care of the entire state,” Welch said. “Democratic districts, Republican districts, they’ve been balanced. They’ve upgraded our credit ratings. There have been budgets that we can all be proud of.”
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Arts and Culture Events Recommendations From Marc Vitali
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Every Thursday, WTTW News correspondent Marc Vitali highlights the can’t miss events in arts and culture.
More music, more dance, more museums. Mas y mas. As the days grow shorter, lengthen your list of arts to experience in person. Here are five good places to start.
“More Light!” – The Poetry Foundation
The gallery of the Poetry Foundation has gone electric with a shifting prism of colored lights. The art duo Luftwork combine light and color for an immersive take on a minimalist poem by Aram Saroyan. The title comes from the poet Goethe’s final words, right before he went dark. Through Jan. 11
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago – Steppenwolf’s Downstairs Theater
Tough ticket, but if you can get one it’s a chance to know the genius of Bob Fosse and his muse Gwen Verdon. “Sweet Gwen Suite” is a company premiere in collaboration with the Verdon Fosse Legacy group, and Hubbard Street launches it 47th fall series with this posse of Fosse and other faves. Nov. 15–24
Deeply Rooted Dance Theater – Auditorium Theatre
Saturday night only at the historic Auditorium Theatre, witness a Chicago dance troupe that reimagines contemporary dance by melding traditions in movement and storytelling. It’s the opening of the 29th season for this community of dancers and artists with deep roots in the transformative power of art and beauty. Nov. 16
“Frozen” – Paramount Theatre, Aurora
It’s officially named “Disney’s Frozen: The Broadway Musical” — two syllables just wasn’t enough — and the Paramount is the first regional theater to win the rights to stage it. Paramount pulls out all the stops for big shows, so it’s sure to be a knockout — unless you’re a parent who won’t listen to these songs again until hell freezes over. Through Jan. 19, 2025
“Kindertransport” – Illinois Holocaust Museum, Skokie
Kids can experience a dose of bittersweet history at the final weekend of the exhibition “Kindertransport – Rescuing Children on the Brink of War.” Artifacts and testimonies bring to life the amazing rescue effort that brought thousands of children out of Nazi Europe. Through Nov. 17 |
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Back in the Day: November 14, 1963 - Sid Luckman Becomes First NFL QB to Throw 7 Touchdowns in 1 Game
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Last week, the Chicago Bears lost 19-3 to the lowly New England Patriots. After a performance where their rookie quarterback Caleb Williams threw 16 completions for a measly 20 yards and was sacked nine times, they fired their offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. Here’s an opportunity to remember better days. On this date, 1963 — 61 years ago — Bears player Sid Luckman became the first-ever NFL quarterback to throw for more than 400 yards (he totaled 453) and the first-ever NFL quarterback to score seven passing touchdowns. In front of a crowd of nearly 57,000, the Bears routed the New York Giants 56-7. Since then, only seven other QBs have matched Luckman’s total, with Drew Brees being the most recent player in 2015. No one has ever thrown for eight but maybe with a good offensive line, Williams can.
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Where can we find the best cheeseburger in Chicago? Tell us where and why it’s the best. |
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Newsletter Producer: Josh Terry |
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