The CTA is looking for modern fare gates that make it harder to skip fares, following similar investments in New York and San Francisco.

Why it matters: New York City, San Francisco and Chicago have all been fighting a post-pandemic uptick in transit-related crime.

The latest: CTA put out a call this month for proposals on new technology to improve accessibility, address aging infrastructure and deter fare evasion.

• New entry gates that would make it more difficult to skip payment are part of an overall strategy to stop small infractions before they become more serious crimes.

By the numbers: CTA's May ridership report, the most recent available, shows that an average of 20,483 daily rides were "underpaid," meaning no fare or less than full fare was paid on trains.

• That number rises to more than 147,000 on buses, but the CTA's call for new tech focuses on train stations.

The big picture: New York City started installing modern fare gates last year as part of a $1.1 billion plan.

• The "paddle doors" open like saloon doors, retracting plexiglass doors on each side to clear a path for entry.

Between the lines: Violent crime is down on New York's MTA, but there's more to the story than just new fare gates.

• New York allocated $77 million for more cops on the subways.

Zoom in: Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart thinks NYC has the right idea.

• Sheriff's officers are patrolling trains and buses as part of CTA's 75% increase in policing hours announced this spring.
• "One of the obvious needs we've come across is to improve turnstiles. It cuts fare evasion down to next to nothing," Dart told Axios last month.

Go deeper

Chicago school board members voted 11 to 7 Thursday night to reject a CPS-crafted budget and adopt a plan backed by the Chicago Teachers Union that restores jobs and relies on $150 million in uncommitted state funds.

Why it matters: Depending on which officials you ask, the move will finally force Springfield to cough up the money it owes CPS — or it breaks state laws and will cause "catastrophic" pay delays.

Backstory: CPS officials urged the board to approve its $9.9 billion plan that closed a yawning deficit with 1,600 layoffs and counted on $285 million in Tax Increment Financing from the city.

• CPS CEO Macquline King said failure to pass the budget this week would prevent CPS from accessing the crucial loans it needs to make payroll on Sept. 2.

Yes, but: CTU-backed board members called the warning "fear mongering" and insisted the district could balance the budget with more state money.

• They pointed to comments by Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch this week supporting supplemental funding in the November veto session.

Yes, but, but: District officials say that, even if Welch does secure the money, it wouldn't arrive until the 2027-28 school year.

What they're saying: The majority of the board "balanced the budget on the payments the Governor and General Assembly have skipped instead of on the backs of children and educators," the CTU said in a statement Thursday.

The other side: "The Civic Federation is deeply disappointed that the Board chose to ... rely on speculative revenue to close a significant budget gap, creating a needless crisis and chaos for what appears to be political objectives," Civic Federation president Joe Ferguson said in a statement Thursday.

Keep reading

🧑‍⚖️ Lawyers for convicted politician Mike Madigan are petitioning the Supreme Court to reverse his 2024 corruption conviction. (Tribune)

🏞️ For the first time, the Chicago Park District will ask residents to vote on how to spend $500,000 earmarked for parks citywide. (Block Club)

‼️ Illinois slipped in the latest U.S. News & World Report Best States rankings. (Axios)

From Lollapalooza and Italian beef to soccer and baseball, Chicago will be rolling with fun ... and traffic.

• Here are the hot spots.

Both Chicago baseball teams are on the hunt for firepower before Monday's trade deadline as they push for the playoffs.

The big picture: For both teams, pitching is the top priority this season.

Here are three players who could draw interest:

Tarik Skubal: The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner is rumored to be on the move from Detroit.

• The Cubs would likely have to part with major league talent, while the White Sox could build a package around top prospects.

Mason Miller: The San Diego closer is one of baseball's most dominant relievers and would boost either team's World Series chances.

• The Sox have a better chance to make a deal, but there's no denying Miller's dramatic flair would fit right in at Wrigley Field.

Freddy Peralta: The former Brewers pitcher was traded to the Mets this past offseason and the results haven't matched expectations.

• Peralta has a relationship with former manager Craig Counsell.

What's next: The MLB trade deadline is Monday, Aug. 3 at 5pm.

More players to watch

👋 Hey, it's Justin! Back at it with another quiz!

The big picture: Patrick Kane's return to the Blackhawks represents one of the biggest homecomings in Chicago sports history.

Yes, but: He's far from the first superstar to leave town and come back.

This week's quiz: Chicago's biggest sports reunions.

The lakes quiz had a few winners: Congrats to Matt A., Cris D. and Timothy A.!

Take the quiz here

Last May, we all got the same Rosy Finch tomato plant as part of our Summer 2026 Tomato Challenge.

Bloom in: Over the last eight weeks, they've developed at dramatically different rates.

🍅 Monica's back porch-raised seedling: Planty boasts five green tomatoes and a 14-inch height. But who's counting? 🤣

🎍 Justin's patio seedling: I've grown fond of little Herbie (I named him), although no tomatoes are growing. Oh well, he's still my best friend.

☠️ Carrie's windowsill seedling: Mine died. Yes, I do live on the 27th floor with tons of light. Help me! I barely knew ya, Rosy.

What's next: We'll check back in mid-August. In the meantime, show us your plants too.

Take a closer look