Proposed ordinance calls for the resignation of CTA Chief Dorval Carter

City Council members have drafted a new ordinance calling for the resignation of Chicago Transit Authority Chief (CTA) Dorval Carter.

Aldermen Andre Vasquez, 40th, and Matt Martin, 47th, plan to introduce the measure during a May 22 City Council meeting, according to a report by Crain’s. The ordinance reportedly calls on Carter to resign amid the embattled transit organization’s ongoing struggle to meet consumer needs.

According to Crain's, if the ordinance fails to prompt a resignation from Carter, City Council will implore Mayor Brandon Johnson and Gov. J.B. Pritzker to designate a new CTA leader, at which point the CTA board would formally appoint the new chief.

Carter's removal mandates that Mayor Johnson and Gov. Pritzker jointly request a change of leadership with the CTA Board, according to Crain’s. City Council does not hold the power to remove Carter from his position.

According to Crain’s, Gov. Pritzker has endorsed the need for new leadership within the CTA, but Mayor Johnson has been less open to discussing the matter. Johnson has reportedly refused to answer questions regarding his stance on Carter’s removal during press conferences.

Renewed calls for Carter’s removal followed weeks of unrest within Chicago’s transit organizations. Chicago’s CTA, Metra, and Pace transit systems face an impending $730 million fiscal cliff in 2026, leading to increased calls for strategic leadership changes within the system. On April 25, the Civic Federation proposed combining the three transit systems into a single organization to combat the looming financial crisis.