Chicago's public transit system is trapped in a fiscal doom loop

Chicago's public transit system is trapped in a fiscal doom loop:

>Ridership is still stuck at 74% of pre-pandemic levels.

>Violent crime at train stations is at its 2nd-highest since 2015.

>Fewer paying riders means less revenue, which means worse conditions, which drives… pic.twitter.com/zquicCNnuM

— Illinois Policy (@illinoispolicy) July 22, 2026