Chicago, IL – October 3, 2025 — Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson strongly criticized the Trump administration’s decision to withhold $2.1 billion in federal funding for city transit projects, calling the move “politically motivated” and a setback for both equity and economic growth. The funding, previously allocated by Congress, was intended for the Red Line Extension on the South Side and the Red and Purple Modernization Project on the North Side.
The Red Line Extension, a project that has been on the drawing board for more than 50 years, is designed to connect underserved South Side neighborhoods to the broader transit network. Johnson described it as “the single largest investment in the Far South Side in a generation,” projecting that it would bring 25,000 jobs and spur billions in new development in communities such as Roseland, Altgeld Gardens, West Pullman, Riverdale, and Woodlawn.
One-fourth of residents in these areas live below the poverty line, making improved transit access critical for job opportunities, education, and economic stability. “South Siders have waited for more than 50 years for the Red Line Extension,” Johnson said. “This project is about jobs, economic development, and connectivity.”
The Red and Purple Modernization Project, which has already delivered reduced travel times and four new fully accessible stations, was also slated for further investment before the cuts. Future phases were expected to rebuild additional stations, benefiting more than 175,000 daily riders. Johnson warned that halting this progress would stall accessibility upgrades and undermine the economic growth associated with the project.
The decision highlights the broader tension between federal infrastructure priorities and local urban needs. Chicago is not alone in facing uncertainty over federal funding: in recent years, other U.S. cities have seen delays or reductions in promised infrastructure dollars as White House budget decisions shifted with political priorities.
Johnson underscored that contrast directly, remarking: “Argentina gets $20 billion and the South Side gets nothing. What happened to America First?” His comments reflect a broader frustration among urban leaders that domestic infrastructure projects — particularly those serving lower-income communities — are often the first to face cuts during political disputes.
While the administration’s move threatens to delay projects already decades in the making, city officials have vowed to push for the restoration of the funds. For now, Chicago’s transit future hangs in the balance, with thousands of jobs, neighborhood development, and equitable access to public transit at stake.