PRESS RELEASE from the
ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUTE

CONTACT: Micky Horstman (312) 607-4977

Chicago faces roughly 1 crime every 3 hours on CTA 
The Illinois Policy Institute found CTA Green Line riders were the most likely to be crime victims, with about 1.9 of every 100,000 rides ending in a crime

CHICAGO (Dec. 26, 2024) – The number of crimes being committed at Chicago Transit Authority stations hit the highest level since the pandemic, with residents reporting 1,356 crimes from October 2023 through September 2024.

According to the Illinois Policy Institute, over 1 in every 100,000 CTA rides resulted in a crime. That’s about 1 crime every 3 hours, considering 765,566 rides per weekday on average.

Battery was the most common crime, followed by deceptive practices such as bait-and-switch schemes or counterfeiting.

CTA ridership is down roughly 40% compared to before the pandemic.

Crime on the CTA: 

• CTA Green Line riders were the most likely to be crime victims, with about 1.9 of every 100,000 rides ending in a crime.
• The worst stop on the Green Line was at 63rd and Ashland in the West Englewood neighborhood, where nearly 7 of every 100,000 rides resulted in a crime.
• Red Line riders were the second-most likely to be crime victims at a CTA station, with nearly 1.7 out of every 100,000 rides ending in a crime.
• The CPD identified 121 instances of individuals possessing or selling narcotics at stations, 47 more than the prior 12-month period.

“Chicago can reduce serious crimes on public transportation and encourage more riders to return to the CTA by reducing low-level crime, such as disorderly conduct and fare evasion, and increasing the police presence at stations – which has been successful in other cities,” said Patrick Andriesen, writer for the Illinois Policy Institute.

About 45% of all crimes reported at CTA stations result in an arrest. Current, costly CTA security guards are unable to intervene when crimes are occurring on platforms. Instead, they rely on Chicago police to make arrests.

The institute estimated it would cost taxpayers $20 million annually to hire one Chicago Police Department officer for every CTA train station. With that change, officers could handle threats in real time and help individuals feel safe on the CTA.

“City leaders would be wise to reevaluate these costly security contracts that have done little to improve the safety of the public on the CTA,” Andriesen said. “Chicagoans deserve a world-class transit system and to feel safe when using it. City leaders must focus on improving both the quality and security of the CTA in the new year.”

To read more about Chicago crime on the CTA visit, illin.is/CTAcrime.

For interviews or interviews, contact media@illinoispolicy.org or (312) 607-4977.