Mayor Johnson signs executive order to curb smoking on CTA trains and buses
Smoking is already banned on the CTA, and a group of Chicago alderpeople last month called for enforcement of the ban.
On Tuesday, the mayor signed an executive order directing the Chicago Police Department, the Chicago Department of Family and Support services, the Chicago Department of Public Health, and the mayor's office to work with the CTA to end smoking on public transit and improve public safety.
"Smoking on our public transit system has got to stop, and I am directing our city's agencies and the Mayor's Office to work together to put an end to this activity," Mayor Johnson said in a news release. "Our public transit system is for all Chicagoans. We have parents taking their young children to school in the morning and seniors with respiratory issues who are inhaling smoke. This executive order calls for the same full-force-of-government approach that has resulted in historic reductions in crime to tackle this critical issue."
The order directs city departments to partner with the CTA to "explore possible areas of collaboration," including deploying the Chicago Department of Public Health Crisis Assistance Response and Engagement teams and the Department of Family and Support Services Homeless Outreach and Prevention teams to curtail smoking on trains.
In the order, the mayor also calls for exploring whether a team could be assembled, possibly including community violence interrupters and mental health professionals, to engage with people found smoking on the CTA system and offer "on-site counseling, smoking cessation resources, and long-term treatment."
Johnson's announcement of the the order focused more on the health risks of smoking and the dangers of secondhand smoke than the nuisance issue of smoking specifically on 'L' trains and other CTA property.
Complaints have made headlines in recent years about people smoking cigarettes, marijuana, and other substances on the CTA. But while referring generically to "smoking," the focus of much of the release on the mayor's order was on the health risks of cigarettes.
CTA officials released some statistics about the issue in 2023, when it said more than 6,300 citations for smoking were issued. That same year, a CBS News Chicago investigation found more than 90% of those smoking fines went unpaid.
According to a recent survey from the Regional Transportation Authority, four out of five riders who use CTA, Metra, or Pace say they've experienced cigarette and marijuana smoking or drinking on Chicago buses and trains, on platforms, and in stations.
Noting the CTA is facing a major budget shortfall in 2026, some aldermen last month argued a concerted effort to decrease smoking on trains and buses could increase ridership, and boost revenue.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
15 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Derila Ergo Unveils Upgraded Memory Foam Pillow, the Ultimate Ergonomic Pillow Designed to Transform Sleep Quality
The improved Memory Foam Pillow introduces a new ergonomic design with cooling technology to enhance comfort, provide supportive relaxation, and improve sleep experience. This launch signifies a significant step forward in the brand's mission to provide sleep solutions that work harmoniously with the body. Franklin, Tennessee--(Newsfile Corp. - July 31, 2025) - Derila Ergo, the wellness division of Derila Pillow, is thrilled to announce the launch of its latest product, the Upgraded Derila Ergo Memory Foam Pillow, aimed at helping millions sleep better and experience enhanced comfort and better rest. With targeted ergonomic support and built-in cooling technology, the new pillow marks a bold step forward for the company in its efforts to redefine what it means to enjoy optimal airflow and comfort and move less for more restful sleep. Derila Ergo Unveils Upgraded Memory Foam Pillow, the Ultimate Ergonomic Pillow Designed to Transform Sleep Quality To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: According to Derila Ergo, through a spokesperson, quality sleep has become a hard-to-reach dream for millions due to the fast-paced nature of the world. Stress, screens, and poor posture continue to leave many people struggling with fatigue, tension, and disrupted nights. The new Derila Ergo upgrade offers a practical, low-effort solution that fits right into people's routines. Building on the success of the original Derila Ergo pillow, the upgraded Memory Foam Pillow offers better comfort, posture support, and temperature regulation. This model features a more refined butterfly-shaped contour, upgraded materials, and a more innovative design that is tailored for all types of sleepers. From side sleepers to back and stomach sleepers, the Derila Ergo Memory Foam Pillow adapts to the body, keeps the spine aligned, and reduces pressure points. This version also provides comfortable support for various sleep positions and preferences by encouraging a healthy head and neck position throughout the night. Recognizing that overheating is another major cause of poor-quality sleep for many people, the new upgraded model features built-in cooling technology. The upgraded Memory Foam Pillow includes breathable mesh panels, moisture-wicking layers, and a soft-touch outer material that keeps things cool and comfortable overnight. The pillow is also hypoallergenic, making it ideal for people with allergies or other sensitivities. Derila Ergo Unveils Upgraded Memory Foam Pillow, the Ultimate Ergonomic Pillow Designed to Transform Sleep Quality To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: This launch is a big moment for Derila Ergo as it signals the brand's push beyond ergonomic pillows and into the broader wellness space. The company's spokesperson explained that the design of this new pillow was engineered with advanced ergonomic concepts. Its unique curvature naturally provides enhanced support for the head, neck, and arms of those who cradle their head in their sleep. With its ergonomically engineered support zones, the memory foam pillow maintains head and neck positioning for enhanced comfort which supports proper alignment. The new upgraded Derila Ergo Memory Foam Pillow is designed with every type of sleeper in mind, offering tailored support and unmatched comfort. Its unique butterfly-shaped contour, cooling technology, and targeted support make it a standout solution powered by one simple idea: to help people experience more comfortable sleep and enhanced rest. The new upgraded Derila Ergo Memory Foam Pillow is now available on the brand's website. Prices start at $39.95 for the standard Derila Ergo Memory Foam pillow. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition. Individual results may vary. To learn more about the new ergonomic pillow or Derila Ergo's commitment to holistic, practical solutions for better sleep and posture, visit Contact Info:Name: Samantha JennEmail: samantharojenn@ Derila ErgoWebsite: To view the source version of this press release, please visit Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
CBS News
16 minutes ago
- CBS News
North Texas children experience an increase in emergency heat-related illnesses
Krystal Jackson ensures her daughter Mia gets a balance of time in the great outdoors and out of the blazing heat. Walking the line, she said, is challenging. "It's very hard to balance that, especially when it doesn't get dark until 8:30 at night," Jackson said. "Her bedtime's right around the corner." Jackson and her husband plan their 7-year-old's outdoor activities in the morning or late in the evening. Additionally, they offer aquatic or water-based recreation so Mia can cool off. Over the past couple of days, she needed it, as temperatures reached 100 degrees or more. "It's been brutal," Jackson said. The parents have been keeping a close eye on their daughter since she fell ill before school ended. Jackson said her daughter's school called her because Mia had overheated. "She kept crying," Jackson said. "I think the sun just messed with her because it's never happened (before). And that's what she kept saying, I'm so hot, I'm so hot." Mia cooled off; however, some children require emergency care. UT Southwestern Medical Center's Dr. Taylor Merritt knows that very well. As a third-year pediatric resident, Merritt said a football player with a heat-related ailment sparked her curiosity about children and heat-related illnesses. "It really made me wonder if this is something we see every summer, if it's getting worse, what those trends look like, and that's kind of where the study started," Merritt said. UT Southwestern is a pediatric partner of Children's Health. Merritt examined emergency data already recorded from the hospital system's Dallas and Plano campuses over the past decade, from May through September. The results are published in Academic Pediatrics. "So from 2012 to 2023, we saw a 170% increase in the number of heat-related illnesses coming to our emergency department in the Dallas area," she said. The illnesses varied. Patients faced heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat syncope—when the body overheats, causing blood pressure to drop—heat stroke, and rhabdomyolysis, a condition in which toxic particles from the muscle break down and enter the circulatory system. Children of all ages, she said, are at risk. Study leader Dr. Andrew Yu, an assistant professor of pediatrics and director of the Pediatric Residency Program at UT Southwestern, as well as a pediatrician at Children's Health, said the information should be taken seriously by parents, coaches and athletes. "We do sort of recommend that they take a period to get acclimated to the heat. That they stay hydrated," Yu said. "And to pay attention to signs and warning signs from your body as well too." The impact of heat-related emergency care affected all ages. Those who are too young to fend for themselves in hot vehicles may not survive, Merritt said. Mia's mother, Krystal Jackson, said every parent has to do what works for them. She believes children need to experience the outside without the consequences. "It's hot. It's very hot," Jackson said. "And it's not fair to them."
CBS News
17 minutes ago
- CBS News
Lollapalooza festivalgoers handed new device to detect fentanyl in drugs
Amid concerns about overdoses and dangerous drugs, Lollapalooza festivalgoers were supplied with a new device that detects fentanyl. Doctors at Rush University Medical Center said they anticipate to see anywhere from 10 to 20 extra patients a day in the emergency during Lolla. Some come in for drug overdoses, which could include fentanyl, and the company that makes the new device is trying to change that. The device, called Defent, is a stick that resembles a thumb drive. It has the power to detect the smallest grain of fentanyl almost instantly. RELATED: With Lollapalooza starting, warnings issued about fake rideshare drivers, other safety concerns Nico Macaione said it came in handy when he went to a Central Illinois music festival this year. "Somebody was like: 'Hey, like I came across this. It's Defent. It's a fentanyl testing kit, like, better safe than sorry, right?'" said Macaione. Unlike Narcan, which may help if someone tries to overdose, Defent prevents that from happening. Users scoop up part of the drug, drop it into the device, and shake it. Results on the side will say if it contains fentanyl. RELATED: Lollapalooza 2025 starts in Grant Park as Chicago air quality plummets with wildfire smoke "Unfortunately, I've lost both family, friends from fentanyl poisoning," said Ahmad Hussain, president and chief executive officer of Defent. Hussain said it took three years to create Defent, with 57 prototypes, and the device just launched back in December. The purpose is to meet drug users where they are at. "You're not going to stop drugs from coming into the country," Hussain said. "They've never done that." While the Cook County Medical Examiner's office said opioid deaths went down last year, 87% of the opioid deaths in the county in 2024 last year involved fentanyl. Dr. Antonia Nemanich at Rush University Medical Center said overdoses at Lolla are not common, but they do happen. "When I was working at UIC, we did see like one or two of those," Nemanich said. Macaione said while he has never encountered fentanyl, Defent could save lives. "We can know, and it's not really like we're a bunch of guinea pigs," he said. READ MORE: Lollapalooza bag policy, lineup, schedule, festival map, Chicago road closures Defent said while people might think its device is for the more illicit party drugs, it is also for counterfeit drugs that appear to be from a pharmacy, which can also contain fentanyl.
