Monday, March 3, 2025

CTA Announces Bus Route Changes

Just released by the CTA:
  
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) today announced the upcoming launch of the “Frequent Network,” implementing bus service that will arrive every 10 minutes or sooner on 20 key bus routes throughout the CTA service area between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends beginning March 23.


“A reliable and equitable public transit system is key to building strong communities, and we are committed to increasing Chicagoans' access to the CTA so they can get to wherever they need to go," Mayor Brandon Johnson said. "We are thrilled to announce the launch of the Frequent Network and fulfill the promise of increasing CTA bus service, especially for those who need it most. This is an investment in our residents' opportunities to thrive and experience everything our great city has to offer." 
  
“This improvement in frequency is a transformative investment in our bus service and brings 10-minute or better service within a short walk of 2.3 million residents in our area all day, every day,” said CTA Acting President Nora Leerhsen. “This is just one example of how strong transit funding availability allows us to provide the level of service our customers want to see.” 
  
“Buses are the backbone of our public transit system, and CTA's decision to boost service frequency on key routes is a vital step forward,” said Amy Rynell, Executive Director of the Active Transportation Alliance. “We're thrilled to see CTA delivering on what riders are asking for: more frequent and reliable bus service. This move could make public transportation a more viable choice for many thousands while helping build a more equitable, sustainable future for our city.” 
 
Throughout 2025, 20 bus routes will have service added on weekdays and weekends to ensure 10-minute or better scheduled service all day, every day. The Frequent Network improves service all day, but riders will see the most service improvements midday, evenings and weekends. Routes that are part of the Frequent Network will see the highest levels of scheduled service since 2010 when the CTA was forced to implement service reductions due to funding constraints. With the initial set of eight routes going live this Spring, 35% of the population will be within a half mile of a Frequent Route. Once the Frequent Network is fully implemented, by the end of 2025, 70% of the CTA service area will be within a half mile of a frequent bus route​.  
  
The Frequent Network builds on CTA’s Bus Vision Framing Report, which analyzed CTA bus service and identified much needed service improvements on weekends, evenings and midday​ to ensure CTA’s buses better serve riders, especially low-income and non-white riders. The next phase of the Bus Vision Project will provide people in the service area an opportunity to share their input on how CTA bus service can better serve their communities and the attributes of CTA bus service that are most important to them, such as frequency, hours of operation, routing and access to service, among other features.  
 
Eight bus routes will be part of the initial phase of the Frequent Network, with new schedules going into effect on March 23. The initial bus routes were picked to provide high coverage and benefit to the system.  The first bus routes as part of the network are: 
J14 Jeffery Jump  
#34 South Michigan  
#47 47th Street  
#54 Cicero 
#60 Blue Island/26th  
#63 63rd Street 
#79 79th Street 
#95 95th Street 
  
With this transformative investment in bus service, the J14, #34, #47, #60, and #95​​ will see a 25% or more increase in service. Riders will see significant service increases on several of these routes with more full-length trips being provided and fewer buses turning back before reaching the terminal.   
 
In 2024, the CTA returned its bus network to pre-pandemic service levels with some strategic adjustments at the route level to better meet shifting ridership patterns. The introduction of the Frequent Network is a key investment CTA is making to improve service to better meet riders’ needs and evolving mobility patterns. The CTA plans to add service on the remaining 12 routes throughout 2025 as well as introduce the Frequent Network for rail. The full list is available at transitchicago.com/frequent.
  
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Tuesday, February 4, 2025

Crime News Update

    Editor's note: The crime news reported by the Southwest Chicago Post---taken directly from Chicago Police Department incident reports---is not by any means an exhaustive catalogue of all crime reported in the Chicago Lawn (8th) District. For example, it typically does not include news of crimes committed in the eastern sectors of the district---because the Southwest Chicago Post's coverage area is primarily the neighborhoods that border Midway Airport and secondarily because including the relatively large volume of crime news from elsewhere in the district would be a logistical challenge. We make this note to offer a little helpful perspective and remind everyone that while crime is definitely a concern in all parts of the district (as it always has been), crime remains relatively low overall in the western section of the district. May all of us work together diligently to keep it that way. May all of us also remember that a person charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.


* * *


Say man tried to break into ATM

A 31-year-old man from the town of West Chicago was charged with attempted burglary, as well as possession of a burglary tool, after he was arrested at 56th and Mobile at 2:49 a.m. Friday, Dec. 27.
Pittman


Joshua A. Pittman was found to be in possession of a crowbar, a CPD spokesman said, adding that he attempted to break into an ATM at a nearby bank. Also, Pittman was wanted on a warrant, although the spokesman declined to say which jurisdiction issued the warrant or what Pittman was wanted for.

According to public records, Pittman has been arrested four times by CPD since 2014 on such charges as robbery, theft, criminal trespass to state land, criminal trespass to a residence, criminal damage to property and public indecency.


Manager points, police make arrest

A 31-year-old Chicago Lawn man was charged with retail theft after he was arrested on the street at 6206 S. McVicker at 3:13 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21.
McShane


Antoine McShane, of the 6200 block of South Western, allegedly stole merchandise from a 63rd Street business, although a CPD spokesman declined to name it or say what allegedly was stolen.

A source in the neighborhood identified the store as the Walgreens at 63rd and Austin. The CPD spokesman said McShane was pointed out by a store manager, who then apprehended McShane. A pat down reportedly yielded a small amount of illegal drugs, and a charge of possession of a controlled substance was added.




He hit me with a bottle, man says
Jenkins


A 36-year-old Austin man was charged with battery after he was arrested at 5200 S. Cicero at 3:44 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14.

James Jacoby Jenkins, of the 200 block of South Lavergne, allegedly used a bottle to hit a 25-year-old man in the head during an argument.

According to public records, Jenkins has been arrested five times by CPD since 2018 on charges that included assault, as well as failure of a convicted felon to report to authorities as a gun offender.


Traffic stop yields convicted felon

A 44-year-old Near South Side man was charged with driving on a revoked license after he was arrested during a traffic stop at 5356 S. Pulaski at 9:14 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3.
Johnson


Kejuan H. Johnson, of the 100 block of East 14th Place, was pulled over when police saw his license plate had expired, a CPD spokesman said. A computer check revealed that Johnson had failed to register with authorities as a convicted gun offender, the spokesman added, leading to another criminal charge.

According to public records, Johnson has been arrested 14 times by CPD since 2014 on such charges as possession of a controlled substance, possession of a fraudulent driver’s license, illegally transporting open alcohol in a vehicle, aggravated DUI, leaving the scene of an accident and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon.




Allegedly stole from Target
Li


A 39-year-old Archer Heights woman was charged with retail theft after she was arrested at Target, 4433 S. Pulaski, at 6:31 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28.

Li Mei Li, of the 4900 block of South Komensky, allegedly stole merchandise from the store, although a CPD spokesman declined to describe the merchandise.

A source at the store claimed Li was observed removing a price tag from an item and affixing a tag with a lower price on it.


Bust Kankakee man at Queen’s

A 42-year-old Kankakee man was charged with criminal trespass to property after he was arrested at Queen of the Universe Church, 7114 S. Hamlin, at 7:50 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11.
Pendleton


Alphonso Pendleton was taken into custody after he allegedly refused to leave the church after he was told to do so. He also was charged with theft, but a CPD spokesman declined to say what was reportedly stolen.

According to public records, Pendleton has been arrested four times by CPD since 2019 on such charges as criminal trespass to a vehicle and criminal damage to property.

Allegedly pushed, pinched man

A 24-year-old Scottsdale man was charged with domestic battery after he was arrested at his home in the 7700 block of South Karlov at 1:04 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 26.
Rodriguez


Enrique E. Rodriguez allegedly pushed and pinched a 28-year-old man during an argument, police said.

According to public records, Rodriguez was arrested by CPD in March 2019 near 79th and Knox and charged with leaving the scene of an accident, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and possession of a stolen vehicle.



Charge pair with obstructing police

A 19-year-old Gage Park man was charged with obstructing police after he was arrested near his home in the 5600 block of South St. Louis at 2:39 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 25.

Gael Leanos allegedly scuffled with police responding to a “man with a gun” call. Also arrested on the same charge, at the same time and place, was 24-year-old Luis A. Leanos.

Gael (left) and Luis Leanos



Hit Hegewisch man with drug, ammo charges
Garcia



A 21-year-old Hegewisch man was charged with possession of a controlled substance, as well as possession of ammunition without a valid FOID card after he was arrested during a traffic stop in front of 4951 S. Cicero at 2:28 a.m. Friday, Dec. 6.


Mauricio Ruiz Garcia, of the 13100 block of South Baltimore, was the driver of a vehicle pulled over because of expired license plates.



Traffic stop leads to gun, drug charges
Herrera


A 44-year-old West Lawn man was charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon after he was arrested during a traffic stop in front of 6601 W. Archer at 1:57 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7.

Roberto Herrera, of the 3700 block of West 70th Place, was found carrying a loaded handgun, a CPD spokesman said, adding that Herrera has a valid FOID card but no CCL.

A charge of possession of a controlled substance was added after police reportedly found a small quantity of a white powder in the vehicle, the spokesman added.



Crash results in multiple charges

A 21-year-old Garfield Ridge man was charged with drinking alcohol on the public way, driving too fast for conditions and damage to property (a light pole) after he was arrested in front of 6276 S. Archer at 12:47 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 5.
Kowalski


Jakub Kowalski, of the 5400 block of South Menard, also was cited for driving an uninsured vehicle, as well as driving without a license.

A charge of resisting arrest was added after he allegedly struggled with officers at the scene.







Charge man with domestic battery
Rodriguez



A 20-year-old Garfield Ridge man was charged with domestic battery after he was arrested at his home in the 5900 block of West 55th Street at 11:39 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 8.


Keiver M. Escola Rodriguez allegedly put a 20-year-old woman in a headlock and pushed her to the floor during an argument.





He punched me in the face, man tells police
Borczyk



A 35-year-old man from suburban Glenview was charged with battery after he was arrested outside a business in the 5600 block of West 55th Street at 6:20 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15.

Lukasz A. Borczyk was one of three men involved in a fistfight and allegedly punched a 45-year-old man in the face multiple times.

According to public records, Borczyk has been arrested four times by CPD since 2019 on such charges as retail theft and possession of a controlled substance.



Say man violated order of protection
Rivas


A 32-year-old West Lawn man was charged with violating an order of protection after he was arrested near his home in the 6400 block of South Kostner at 9:44 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 26.

Marine M. Rivas allegedly had contact with a 33-year-old woman, in violation of a court order. A charge of assault was added after Rivas allegedly chased the woman outside the home.

According to public records, Rivas has been arrested four times by CPD since 2014, on such charges as domestic batter and trespassing on a CTA vehicle.



Charge man with DUI at 47/Cicero
Chavez



A 19-year-old West Elsdon man was charged with DUI and illegally transporting open alcohol after he was arrested during a traffic stop at 4656 S. Cicero at 6:10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21.


Joel Chavez also was cited for failure to stay in his lane, driving without a license and failure to display a current city vehicle sticker.


Allegedly punched, choked woman
Cuero

 

A 35-year-old Garfield Ridge man was charged with domestic battery after he was arrested at his home in the 5400 block of South Latrobe at 6:40 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21.


Luis Guillermo Angulo Cuero allegedly punched a 38-year-old woman in the ribs and choked her during an argument.





Arrested on Christmas, charged with domestic battery
Estrada



A 35-year-old Sleepy Hollow man was charged with domestic battery after he was arrested at his home in the 4400 block of South Knox at 4:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 25.


Ricardo Estrada allegedly punched a 21-year-old woman in the face and body during an argument, a CPD spokesman said.


Gun charge at migrant shelter
White


A 22-year-old West Garfield Park man was charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon after he was arrested at the State of Illinois migrant shelter at 7353 S. Cicero (the former Holiday Inn) at 4:20 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22.


Nosaj T. White, of the 800 block of South Pulaski, was discovered ditching a loaded handgun in a garbage can at the site, a CPD spokesman said without elaborating.


Claim man swiped jeans from JC Penney
Mendez-Moreno


A 41-year-old Chicago Lawn man was charged with retail theft after he was arrested at Ford City at 11:19 a.m. Monday, Dec. 23.

Martin Mendez-Moreno, of the 3400 block of West 62nd Street, was apprehended without incident. A CPD spokesman declined to name the store, but a source in the mall said Mendez-Moreno allegedly stole $367 worth of blue jeans from JC Penney. 

According to public records, Mendez-Moreno was arrested by CPD in May 2022 near 61st and Kedzie and charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon.




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