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Quote of the Week

“Young community leaders … appeared before this committee last month and very articulately spoke about the need — the need for them to be able to access resources and events within their own communities, and perhaps even provide opportunities for them to go to these events in lieu of a lot of youth traveling downtown to gather.”

— Ald. Chris Taliaferro (29th Ward) speaking in favor of his resolution to create a pilot program for safe pick-up and drop-off services in the 29th Ward.

[City Council Committee on Transportation and Public Way, July 9, 2025]

Teen transport

Just weeks after it was introduced, the Committee on Transportation and Public Way approved a resolution calling on the Regional Transportation Authority to establish a pilot program for safe pickup and drop-off services for Chicago teenagers attending public events in the West Side’s 29th Ward. 

The most recent version of the resolution directs the RTA, the Chicago Transit Authority and PACE to create a one-year pilot program to provide safe transportation services for minors in the 29th Ward. 

The services would include pickup and drop-off services for public events at specified locations within the ward, such as libraries, parks, schools and other public spaces. 

When introducing the resolution last month, Ald. Chris Taliaferro (29th Ward) said a major motivation behind the initiative was the recognition that even if there are youth-centered activities available, youth often lack the ability to get to them. 

Several alders voiced support for this and mentioned a need for this in other areas of the city. Taliaferro emphasized that the current version of the initiative was meant to just be a pilot to access logistics and cost of the program, but that he hopes it can later be expanded to include other wards across the city. 

What you can do:

Want this pilot in your ward? Click here to find your ward and contact your alder.

Catch up on the headlines: 

  • Transportation committee delays vote on CTA anti-smoking resolution, approves resolution for safe youth travel pilot in Austin | The Daily Line

Pool safety

Members of the 10th Police District Council discussed the recent shooting of two unarmed Black teenagers by a now-former lifeguard, Charles Leto. The shooting occurred by the pool area of Douglass Park, within the 10th Police District. 

Leto has since been charged with murder and attempted murder after shooting at three unarmed teenage boys over a dispute regarding his bike, according to Block Club Chicago. Leto is accused of killing 15-year-old Marjay Dotson and critically injuring 14-year-old Jeremy Herred.

Council Chair Kiisha Smith has been in touch with families of both victims and hopes to have the families and the park supervisor at the next district council meeting. Smith said she was dismayed that Leto brought a gun to a community space, noting that it showed a lack of respect for the community. 

According to a Chicago Park District report, Leto had a history of altercations with park patrons and staff. In 2023, Leto was hired by the park district just months after shooting two dogs in Lakeview, causing a SWAT standoff and lockdown of multiple local schools. The park district said in its report the incident did not come up in Leto’s background check. 

The park district said it plans to add permanent security at Douglass Park and stronger disciplinary tracking for staff.

So far, community members have expressed frustration over both the park district’s hiring of Leto, but also its response to the shooting. Dotson’s family is asking for community support at Leto’s court hearing July 16.

What you can do:

Contribute to Jeremy Herred’s GoFundMe: Herred’s family has started a GoFundMe to help cover ongoing medical costs.

A version of this story was first published in the July 16, 2025 issue of the Newswire, an email newsletter that is your weekly guide to Chicago government, civic action and what we can do to make our city great. You can sign up for the weekly newsletter here.

Have thoughts on what you'd like to see in this feature? Email Civic Editor Dawn Rhodes at dawn@citybureau.org.