Trump admin must restore $2B in CTA funding for Red Line, other projects, judge rules
Source: WFLD-TV Chicago, IL
Published March 24, 2026 6:49pm CDT
CHICAGO - A federal judge ruled that the Trump administration improperly withheld about $2 billion from the Chicago Transit Authority for its Red Line extension and modernization projects.
What we know:. On Tuesday, Judge Thomas Durkin ordered the Federal Transit Authority and U.S. Department of Transportation to release the funding designated to modernize and extend the CTA’s train system.
The CTA said if the funding was not released by the end of this week, the projects would face delays and "deprive the citizens of [Chicago] of much needed improvements to their public transportation system." The Trump administration said last October it would freeze the funding after a review to see if any "federal dollars go towards discriminatory, illegal, and wasteful contracting practices," according to court documents. The federal government also sought information from the CTA, which the agency said it complied with.
"Today, the CTA secured a major victory for the Red Line Extension and the residents of Chicago’s Far South Side. CTA promised the community that it would fight for RLE, and this ruling is a massive step toward restoration of funding for this historic project.
Read more: https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/cta-red-line-funding-ruling-3-24
Link to CTA PRESS RELEASE - Court Grants CTA Temporary Restraining Order, Directs Federal Government to Resume Funding for Red Line Extension and Red & Purple Modernization Projects
Link to ORDER (PDF) - https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/TRN_CTA_restraining_order.pdf
REFERENCE - https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143636193
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