Chicagoist: Frank Kruesi out as CTA Boss, Huberman Takes Over

1060WAddison

Fri, 20 Apr 2007 12:24:44 -0600

You dont need a transit expert to come in and work at the CTA. The system needed a good manager, someone he gets things done regardless of obstacles. I am pretty confident the CTA had gotten just that.

LRide

Fri, 20 Apr 2007 12:21:19 -0600

I was hoping the Mayor would appoint Huberman- he's young, he's smart and he gets things done. This is a very good day for Chicago.

thundercougarfalconbird

Fri, 20 Apr 2007 00:37:53 -0600

I'm with mikey on this one.

TWofer

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 23:39:06 -0600

Is there not a single transportation executive/expert in the entire country that could take the CTA over and make it work?? We get stuck with a buddy of the Mayors with a police badge?

Mikey

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 22:20:17 -0600

Here's how I see it... A single strip airport on land owned by the Chicago Park District, but used primarily by the privileged few (i.e. the rich and elite)... or a park such as was envisioned by Daniel Burnham, that can be used and enjoyed by the public. Furthermore, Northerly Island was created specifically for the Century of Progress World's Fair (where my grandfather worked as a concessionaire for The Italian Village). That history means much more to me than that of an airport built 15 years after the fact...

SogladFrank'isgone

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 21:40:37 -0600

Mikey, had to respond, anyone who thinks the demolition of Meigs was good for Chicago is ignorant, not dumb, ignorant about the airport, its history, its utility, its mismanagement by the city.

jimmy323

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 21:26:17 -0600

The CTA needed two things: strong management and someone who could get things done in springfield. Huberman's run a public safety organization and headed up a huge city government. He get things done. And he can handle the politics because he backs up what he says. i think the change is going to be clear

Mikey

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 20:35:08 -0600

The demolition of Meigs Field was a good thing... Let's stick to the negatives, as there's plenty of them...

cubsboy

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 20:23:25 -0600

Transit experience is beside the point. Kruesi had transit experience and he was a disaster. Ford Corp. fired Ford Jr (read: insider/cronie) and replaced him with a guy who had no knowledge of cars to get the company back on track. Government needs to think more like business.

MACK

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 19:57:43 -0600

So. who will be Daley's new chief of staff?

SogladFrank'isgone

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 19:54:42 -0600

When and where's the party to celebrate the "X"ing of Kreusi, incompetent head of the CTA and Daley's point man for the demolition of Meigs Field. I only regret that we, the taxpayers, will be paying Kreusi's pension. Any guess how big it will be?

Chris in Chicago

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 18:28:08 -0600

I think that the reason Daley did this was to have a better team to lobby Illinois legislators. Kruesi is as persuasive as putting fingernails on a chalkboard.

Steven

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 17:39:20 -0600

They should take away the new guy's drivers license right now before they give him the job, just so he knows what the problems are first hand.

In one ear...

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 13:51:18 -0600

That's why the Blue Line was faster this morning!!! Oh wait, it wasn't and won't be for a long time because the CTA's problems are far bigger than any one person. We'll all be complaining about his replacement in a few months.

Mister C

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 13:49:45 -0600

I'll be sure to thank Chicagoist at every opportunity for at least several weeks. I may even do a DIY scrawling of the words "THANKS TO:" on my new Chicagoist T-Shirt. Or would that make me too emo?

rachelle bowden

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 13:25:59 -0600

i feel like chad lowe!

Mister C

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 13:01:47 -0600

OOOPS! And thanks to Chicagoist for what will no doubt be a lovely garment.

Mister C

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 12:59:31 -0600

OMG!!!! What an honor!!! I'd like to thank the CTA of course, and Mayor Daley for dragging his feet long enough to make my prediction a winner, and everyone who beat the drum for firing Kruesi for the last two years...(sniff, sniff) Damn, I promised myself I wouldn't lose it up here (exit music swells) OK, thanks to everyone and goodnight! Seriously, I wondered if Kruesi would even get the ax at all, since it hadn't happened yet and it seemed that the CTA had briefly slipped off the radar (probably why Daley did it now). Plus, the street protests never materialized (which would have made me seem Nostradamian, eh?). Anyway, Huberman as a replacement was a bit of a surprise, as the scuttlebutt was that he was going to be the new head of the CPD. He's definitely a Daley loyalist, but also isn't as afraid to chop heads as others in the camp, so there's a slight chance he might help things. We'll see. While I'm wasting valuable Internet space and wallowing in my tiny moment of glory, please allow a moment of blatant self promotion: Storyteller, historian, and Certified Chicago Tour Guide Michael Corcoran will be giving a presentation on “The World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893” at the Ray Harstein Campus of Oakton Community College (7701 N. Lincoln Avenue in Skokie) on April 24 at 1:00 PM as part of their “Passages” lecture series. The Columbian Exposition was Chicago’s proof to the world that it had recovered from the Great Fire of 1871 to become a global metropolis, and is widely recognized as a pivotal event in the formation of the modern American consciousness. Join Michael as he provides a brief synopsis of the genesis and construction of the Fair, followed by an extensive “virtual tour” of the buildings and grounds featuring over 300 images culled from his vast collection of 1890’s era books, lithographs and pamphlets. A fascinating trip through what many believe to be the greatest peacetime event in human history. Admission is $11.00 for the general public. $6.00 for “Passages” subscribers. Call Joan Phillips at 847-635-1414 for more information.

Mr. Smith

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 12:56:49 -0600

Geekgrrl: Keep in mind that Kruesi had experience at the Dept. of Transportation. Huberman's experience in emergency mgmt. is laudable, but I don't think it makes him a better candidate out of the box than Mr. K. was.

james

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 12:45:59 -0600

so i guess that takes 'police veteran' huberman out of the running for phil cline's job....let's hope ron doesn't abuse his position....

Joe

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 12:25:52 -0600

John: probably Terry Peterson.

Paul or the Giant Rabbit

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 12:19:32 -0600

#14 - Joe is right. Daley trusts Kreusi to make certain that capital projects reward Daley buddies to the maximum extent possible. That means the airport.

matty

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 12:15:27 -0600

i agree with john. nyc has the mta and they do commuter rail as well as subways and buses. it's stupid that the metra and cta have to compete for funds.

John

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 12:11:23 -0600

The CTA is an entity that should NOT exist. The City of Chicago needs to get out of the transit system business completely and let the CTA get merged into the RTA/Metra/Pace system. It should all be one METRO agency since our population flows all around. Who's going to be the new Chief of Staff in charge of protecting Daley?

thundercougarfalconbird

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 11:51:25 -0600

This probably isn't going to make a damn bit of difference, but screw it... he really needed to go.

sparky

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 11:45:48 -0600

Maybe he will be appointed to run the Olympics!

Joe

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 11:43:47 -0600

Kruesi will get a cushy job with the airport authority where he can further botch an already over budget O'Hare expansion.

geekgrrl

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 11:42:31 -0600

if huberman has prior emergency experience, he's got a leg up on kruesi already.

spook

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 11:40:19 -0600

opps, Vice 77 said it all

spook

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 11:39:22 -0600

Enjoy this moment while you can because this Friday, there is gonna be a party in the back room of Gibson's and yall aint invited. There, Darth Daley will give Kruesi a fat envelope and a kiss on the cheek. Kruesi will then take a month long vaction to some Island. When he returns he will be appointed to lead another agency where he will screw things up, again!

jerry 101

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 11:38:05 -0600

So, is it time to start a dead pool on Huberman? Things aren't going to get any better. Daley replaced one loyalist patronage hack with another. If the Mayor had any interest in fixing things, he would look outside for someone with experience running or helping run a public transit system. Seeing as how Huberman is Daley's lapdog, I'd say a minimum of 4 years, during which time we'll probably see the complete collapse of the CTA.

vise77

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 11:25:36 -0600

How 'bout a pool on what sweetheart job Frankie boy lands in, say, 8-12 months? Hope his exit makes it easier for the state to cough up more CTA money.

Mikey

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 11:22:00 -0600

Ding! Dong! The witch is dead!

Mr. Smith

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 11:20:41 -0600

Hey, that jacket was green. Show some respect. :) I'm just glad you guys are giving out a prize for the Dead Pool. Not to poop on the parade, but I wonder if Huberman is going to make a difference. He's a Daley loyalist, and doesn't have urban planning or transportation experience, though he does have extensive knowledge of the city and a tech background which might bring the CTA into the 20th Century. In any case, hooray. This is a day for rejoicing. Bring me my wine!

nutsackylacky

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 11:13:46 -0600

I heard he was leaving to spend more time with his yellow jacket.

AZ

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 11:13:34 -0600

Congratulations Ron! It is going to be a tough job, but I think he will do well. I met him last summer and he is a real stand-up guy. A great leader.

matty

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 11:07:18 -0600

awesome. that guy sucked so bad.

vit

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 11:07:07 -0600

Don't let the door hit you on the butt on the way out, let my boot instead!

geekgrrl

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 11:02:31 -0600

HUZZAH!

JAH

Thu, 19 Apr 2007 10:59:51 -0600

May I be the first to say, "It's about damn time!"