The Chicago Transit Authority Board on Oct. 8 placed five ordinances and 12 contract awards on the meeting omnibus and approved the omnibus by roll-call vote.

Board members moved and seconded placement of the items on the omnibus and then approved the omnibus in a separate motion. Director Eady moved and Director Ortiz seconded both the omnibus placements and the final omnibus approval; roll-call votes recorded unanimous “yes” votes from the directors present on each motion.

Why it matters: The omnibus process bundles multiple items for single-board consideration. Items approved will allow CTA to extend a retail lease, grant a permanent easement connected with the Red Line Extension project, and to purchase insurance coverage the agency uses for construction and cybersecurity, as well as advance a set of contract awards across transit operations, infrastructure and administration.

Key approved items reported at the meeting included:
- Third amendment to the lease with Saigon Sisters LLC for retail space at 567 W. Lake St.; CTA and Saigon Sisters agreed to a five-year extension with all existing terms unchanged. Staff recommended approval and there were no questions from board members before the item was placed on the omnibus.
- Ordinance authorizing a permanent easement agreement with the Chicago Department of Water Management to relocate an 8-inch water main and hydrants as part of the Red Line Extension project; staff said there is no cost to CTA for granting the easement and that the permanent easement will merge into the city interest upon recorded dedication of the new alley parcels.
- Purchase of blanket railroad protective liability insurance for policy year 11/01/2025–10/31/2026; staff reported the policy provides $2,000,000 per-occurrence and $6,000,000 project aggregate limits, with a policy aggregate of $25,000,000; CTA requested a not-to-exceed amount of $950,000 for the projected premium based on an anticipated construction forecast.
- Purchase of cyber insurance coverage for policy year 11/01/2025–10/31/2026; staff recommended renewal with incumbent insurer AmTrust for a $5,000,000 policy with a $1,000,000 deductible and an approximate premium of $284,736 (including fees and taxes).
- Twelve contract awards across transit operations, infrastructure, and administration were placed on the omnibus for board approval after staff reported no substantive board questions.

Board process and vote: For omnibus placement motions and for the omnibus approval motion, Director Eady moved and Director Ortiz seconded. Roll-call votes recorded “yes” from Director Ortiz, Chairman Barclay, Director Jaques, Director Eady, Director Lee and Director Raquel (all directors present); the motions passed.

What’s next: Items placed on the omnibus are advanced for board approval and will be implemented under the terms presented in staff reports. Staff indicated it will proceed with contract and purchase execution consistent with the approved ordinances and contracts.

Notes: The committee of finance, audit and budget had reviewed these ordinances and contracts earlier the same day and recommended them for placement on the omnibus.