Cook County State's Attorney Eileen O'Neill Burke talked about it Monday afternoon.
"Everyone deserves to feel safe and secure on public transit," O'Neill Burke said. "This task force brings law enforcement and transit partners together to share intelligence, deter transit-related crime and improve public safety to better protect riders, transit workers and our communities."
She explained how the task force will fight crime on CTA buses and trains in Chicago and throughout Cook County.
The RTTF will meet regularly, with its first meeting scheduled for May 26. Participants include representatives from the CCSAO, the Chicago Police Department, CTA, Cook County Sheriff's Office, U.S. Attorney's Office, FBI, ATF, DEA, Metra and Pace.
O'Neill Burke was joined by the acting CTA president and the Cook County Sheriff's Office, too.
"The formation of this task force marks a historic moment as CTA expands and builds upon its security strategy," CTA acting President Nora Leerhsen said. "This is an unprecedented partnership that brings together local, county and federal law enforcement to work alongside every major transit agency in the Chicago region. Our message is simple: Law enforcement at every level is working in tandem with CTA to ensure a vibrant, thriving future for public transit."
There have been numerous high-profile crimes on the CTA recently, including last week when a CTA bus was hijacked at knifepoint.
"Safe public transit is essential for connecting communities in and around the Chicagoland region," Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart said. "We look forward to working with transit and law enforcement partners to improve safety and security for the two million public transit riders in Northeastern Illinois."
"The Regional Transit Task force is another tool that will bring us together to hold criminal offenders accountable and prevent further crime from occurring on our buses and trains," Chicago Police Department Superintendent Larry Snelling said. "This task force is an example of what happens when all levels of government and law enforcement collaborate to better serve and safeguard those utilizing public transportation throughout the city."
INTERACTIVE SAFETY TRACKER | Track crime and safety in your neighborhood