Chicago City Wire

State Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Louisville), the Republican nominee for governor, said people should not have to be afraid of getting attacked on public transit after a man was stabbed on a CTA Red Line train.

“We must get crime under control,” Bailey tweeted. “People shouldn’t fear for their lives when taking public transportation. Pritzker has prioritized violent criminals over victims and keeping your families safe. Making Illinois safer and more affordable for everyone is my priority.”

On the morning of Nov. 3, a man was riding a southbound CTA train on the Red Line when he was stabbed by a person with a knife, CWB Chicago reported. Officers who responded to the scene found the man with a stab wound on his hip on the southbound platform at the North-Clybourn station. Officers also recovered a knife from the suspect and took him into custody.

The Chicago Police Department provided an update in a media statement: “The victim, a 40-year-old male, was riding a train when a male offender approached and grabbed the victim’s personal property. The offender then stabbed the victim in the abdomen and thigh. The victim was transported to Illinois Masonic Hospital in serious condition. The offender was quickly located and placed into custody. Charges are pending.”

Although there has been a decrease in ridership on Chicago's public transportation systems since the pandemic, violent crime on the CTA has surged, CBS Chicago reported. As of mid-October, there had been approximately 500 attacks reported on CTA trains and stations - the most in 20 years. Efforts by the Chicago Police Department to increase officer presence on the CTA has not succeeded in driving down crime. An analysis of crime data found that the portion of the Red Line that runs through the South Loop has seen the most crime.