I managed to make my way downtown and back yesterday while most of the city collectively huddled under their quilt. If you've ever been in the Loop on a major holiday like Christmas Day you know how eerie and silent it can be down there when there's a near-total absence of humanity. That's what it was like yesterday, and the scene on trains and buses (at least from my anecdotal experience) was similarly vacant, and I have to add, pretty smoothly run. I did have to trudge over to Western to shuffle onto a Brown line, but when I got on there, it was fairly smooth sailing all the way to the Loop and back even as the storm refused to slow. more ›

As the CTA prepares its 2011 budget, it's already making cuts for next year. CTA President Richard Rodriguez announced today that more than 70 jobs, mainly management and office positions, will be cut for next year in an effort to save money. The CTA is hoping to save $53 million and, according to Jon Hilkevitch, "About $36 million of the total will come from personnel efficiencies, including spending cuts, limiting overtime pay, delaying hiring and freezing wages for non-union officials." Rodriguez also said that he's hoping that fare hikes and services cuts won't be necessary but nothing is solid yet as the budget preparation continues and more cuts are possible: "The economy remains sluggish and isn't rebounding as quickly or robustly as had been predicted." more ›

There were fewer trains and buses and the ones that did run were more crowded, but CTA President Richard Rodriguez called the first full work day with reduced CTA services a "typical Monday" and the CTA reported "no major delays." more ›

According to information acquired by the Chicago Tribune, 51 CTA bus and rail employees have been investigated over the past year for using "personal cell phones and other electronic devices" like iPods while on duty, which has led to 11 firings. There were 27 incidents that were dismissed due to lack of evidence, and 13 bus drivers are still suspended without pay while investigations continue. more ›

CTA President Richard Rodriguez denied a report by the Sun-Times gossip columnist Michael Sneed (pictured right) that indicated he was prepping to leave local government for the private sector, causing a City Hall Shuffle. According to Sneed: more ›

• Students involved in the Medill Innocence Project denied allegations made by prosecutors they paid witnesses for testimony relating to Anthony McKinney; the students claim to have only paid transportation costs.
• CTA President Richard Rodriguez commented on last week's miracle stroller story, calling the mother's claim "plausible" and saying the investigation will now turn to the train's operator.
• The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society is ditching Chicago in favor of Las Vegas for it's 2012 convention.

• As expected, Mayor Daley named Richard Rodriguez to replace Ron Huberman as President of the CTA. Daley also appointed Rosemarie Andolino as aviation chief.
• Former Bulls player and television analyst Norm Van Lier passed away today at the age of 61. Van Lier was a three-time all-star for the Bulls from 1971-1978.
• The Republic Windows and Doors plant where workers staged a sit-in last year has been bought by the California-based Serious Materials, who plans to rehire the plant's former workers.

With Ron Huberman moving from the CTA to the Chicago Public Schools in recent weeks, the search is on for a new CTA head. Sources at City Hall are now saying that Aviation Commissioner Richard Rodriguez is the lead candidate. Originally, the top pick was alleged to be Terry Peterson, Daley's 2007 campaign manager, but it doesn't appear Peterson has any interest in leaving Rush University Medical Center where he is vice president of government affairs. Rodriguez has formerly worked with the Chicago Housing Authority and the Department of Aviation. more ›