Sources: Ex-CHA chief, Daley ally next CTA head

Sun-Times:

Former Chicago Housing Authority chief Terry Peterson, who has emerged as one of Mayor Daley's closest political confidantes, is the mayor's choice to replace departing CTA Board Chairwoman Carole Brown, City Hall sources said Monday.

Peterson, 50, described himself as a "roll-up-my-sleeves, work hard, get-it-done-kind-of-guy" who would bring the same "consensus-building" skills to the CTA's financial crisis that he used to tackle the CHA's $1.6 billion Plan for
Transformation.

The CTA avoided fare hikes and service cuts this year, only after shifting capital funds to operations, receiving an influx of federal stimulus funds and ordering another round of budget cuts. Next year's shortfall is expected to approach $300 million.

"What the CTA is facing is no different than what other cities are facing. Revenues are falling. It's the toughest economy in our lifetime. In spite of that, we still have to provide service to hardworking men and women who depend on CTA for their livelihood," Peterson said Monday.

"I am mindful of the fact that working families are stretching their dollars to make ends meet. I take that mind-set with me to the CTA. We've got to look internally at how we address this" before raising fares or cutting service.

As for the burden the CTA would inherit if Chicago wins the 2016 Olympic sweepstakes, he said, "It definitely presents an opportunity for us to get more money. That's been done in other cities. But whether we get the Olympics or not, we still need to make an investment in our transit infrastructure."

QUESTION: Is this a good move or bad move? Do you think of this as Daley shifting his people around?