Delgado Supports Resolution Condemning Trump Administration Funding Freeze of CTA Red Line Train Extension

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — State Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado, D-Chicago, backed a resolution Wednesday condemning the Trump Administration’s funding freeze of the Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) planned Red Line Extension, a critical South Side project that would create jobs, support riders and encourage economic growth.

“Freezing critical funding to the CTA is just the latest example of Donald Trump ignoring the Constitution to attack Chicago and hurt our people,” Delgado said. “Public transit is essential and Donald Trump is undermining our communities and our economy by playing politics with this project.”

Delgado supported House Resolution 506, which calls on President Trump to unfreeze $2.1 billion in funding to support construction of the Red Line Extension, a 5.5 mile ‘L’ expansion from the existing 95th/Dan Ryan terminus to 130th St. This funding was explicitly approved by the Biden Administration, and the CTA later secured a legal obligation from the federal government ensuring that the money would be released.

In addition to pausing support for the Red Line Extension, the Trump Administration has halted $28 billion in similar projects in Democratic-controlled cities and states across the country.

This loss of funding would end opportunities for affordable public transit for roughly 175,000 new daily riders in Chicago, many of whom are from underserved communities with limited transportation options. In addition to increased ridership, the Red Line Extension would generate substantial statewide economic benefits resulting from new good-paying jobs, increased consumer mobility and support for local businesses. Cutting this funding would deprive Illinoisans of those benefits while simultaneously fostering long-term investor uncertainty for federally-funded projects in Illinois and across the country.