Isolated Chicago communities secure money for a coveted transit project before Trump takes office

CHICAGO (AP) — Adella Bass dropped her in-person college classes because it was just too hard to get there from the far South Side of Chicago, where the city's famous elevated train doesn't run. And it can take her nearly two hours to get to the hospital where she is treated for a heart condition.

But things are looking up, with bright red signs across the area boldly proclaiming, "Ready, Set, Soon!” Next year, the city is poised to start making good on a decades-old promise to connect some of its most isolated, poor and polluted neighborhoods to the rest of the city through mass transit.

The Biden administration notified Congress last week that it would commit $1.9 billion toward a nearly $5.7 billion project to add four new L stations on the South Side, the Chicago system’s largest expansion project in history. The pledge, which the Federal Transit Administration is expected to formally sign before President Joe Biden leaves office in January, essentially locks in current and future funding.

Still, Bass fears President-elect Donald Trump's administration might try to scuttle it.

Signals abound to assure residents that the project is “a go,” said Bass, who is raising three young children and works on health equity issues that affect residents of a massive public housing development near her South Side home. "But you just never know with Trump.”

The $1 trillion infrastructure plan Biden signed into law in 2021 focused far more heavily on transit than anything his predecessor advocated. That is why there has been a scramble to finalize some transit grants before Biden's term ends, including commitments last week for rapid transit upgrades in San Antonio and Salt Lake City.

Yonah Freemark, a researcher at the Urban Institute, said Trump unsuccessfully encouraged Congress in his first term to pass budgets eliminating funding for some new transit projects that hadn't secured their grant agreements. But it has been practically unheard of for administrations to claw back projects after they won final approval.

Steve Davis, who handles transportation strategy for Smart Growth America, said Trump could try to redirect future competitive grants to prioritize highway construction over alternative transportation methods such as transit. He said Trump's Transportation Department could potentially slow down some allocations from already approved infrastructure projects but would have trouble halting them entirely.

“If you're building an enormous $2 billion road widening, you need to know you're going to have money in year four or five and there's nothing a hostile administration could do to stop it,” Davis said.

One of the communities that would be served by a new Chicago L station is Roseland, a once-thriving, predominantly Black business district that has fallen victim to the loss of manufacturing and a spike in crime.

Jervon Hicks, who spent many years in and out of jail on gun charges, turned his life around and ended up becoming a mentor for at-risk youth. The new station could help quicken the same transition for others, he said.

“Roseland needs a makeover,” Hicks said. “We lack a pet store. We used to have a theater. Take some of these abandoned buildings and turn them into job opportunities.”

Unlike the busy “Magnificent Mile” shopping district on Michigan Avenue in the downtown Chicago Loop, the business district on South Michigan Avenue in Roseland has fallen from more than 90% occupancy decades ago to around 10% now.

Among the surviving businesses is Edwards Fashions. Owner Ledall Edwards hopes transportation will spur more to return.

“I don’t think it’ll get to the level it was back in the 1970s, but I think the environment is going to improve because of the accessibility," he said. “You’re going to be able to get people here in this area much faster.”

Rogers Jones, who for 30 years has run the Youth Peace Center next to the future train station, said he can't wait for the transformation.

“The community is going to change,” Jones said. “It’s going to be a vibrant community, and people are excited. I know I’m excited.”

Former Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley told residents of Roseland and surrounding areas in 1969 that the L would eventually expand there.

Tammy Chase, a spokesperson for the Chicago Transit Authority, said the cost then would have been $114 million compared to around $5.7 billion now, a figure that would keep rising the longer construction is delayed.

The agency has hired a construction firm, opened a Roseland office in a former paint store and begun boarding up homes that will be demolished for the tracks to run through. Ground is expected to be broken in late 2025, Chase said.

U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley of Illinois, the top Democrat on the subcommittee that oversees transportation spending, points out Chicago's transit system survived wars and depression. It surely also can withstand a pandemic and a presidential administration with different priorities, he said.

“The big infrastructure projects stand the test of time,” Quigley said. "These ups and downs, you have to adjust to them, but you recognize transit always comes back. If transit doesn’t come back, it stymies opportunities going forward.”

A sign reads "CTA Red Line Extension is coming!" on a boarded-up property set for demolition to make room for a new train station where the Chicago Transit Authority plans to expand the Red Line train route on West 111th Street, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024, in the Roseland neighborhood of Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Ledall Edwards stands outside his family's men's clothing store, Edward's Fashions, which his father opened 50 years ago with the hopes of a southern Red Line train line expansion, Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024, in the Roseland neighborhood of Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Buildings across from an empty lot where the Chicago Transit Authority plans to expand the Red Line train route sit along South Michigan Avenue, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024, in the Roseland neighborhood of Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Ledall Edwards stands inside his family's men's clothing store, Edward's Fashions, which his father opened 50 years ago with the hopes of a southern Red Line train line expansion, Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024, in the Roseland neighborhood of Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Altgeld Gardens, the far South Side Chicago Housing Authority community where the Chicago Transit Authority plans to expand the Red Line train route, is seen Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Altgeld Gardens, the far South Side Chicago Housing Authority community where the Chicago Transit Authority plans to expand the Red Line train route, is seen Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Adella Bass, health equity director with the People for Community Recovery environmental organization, stands outside the branch of the Chicago Public Library on the far South Side in the Altgeld Gardens community where she lives and works, Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024, in Chicago, where the Chicago Transit Authority plans to expand the Red Line train route. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

A sign reads "Ready, Set, Soon!" on a boarded-up property set for demolition to make room for a new train station where the Chicago Transit Authority plans to expand the Red Line train route on West 111th Street, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024, in the Roseland neighborhood of Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago Transit Authority spokesperson Tammy Chase talks about the expansion of the Red Line train route in front of a boarded-up property set for demolition to make room for a new train station on West 111th Street, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024, in the Roseland neighborhood of Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Cars pass the 95th Street Red Line Station, the train station currently the farthest south on the line and where the Chicago Transit Authority plans to extend from in 2025, Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — LeBron James had 32 points and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Sacramento Kings 103-99 to sweep a two-game set on Saturday.

Trailing 101-99 with 12 seconds left, the Kings had a chance to tie after Anthony Davis missed two free throws but squandered the opportunity after they couldn’t secure the rebound. Austin Reaves was fouled and made both free throws to put the game away.

Reaves finished with 16 points, and Davis had 10 points and 15 rebounds as the Lakers completed the sweep after beating the Kings 113-100 on Thursday.

De’Aaron Fox led Sacramento with 31 points. Domantas Sabonis had 19 points and 19 rebounds, and DeMar DeRozan added 12 points for the Kings.

Davis earned his 642nd block and passed Kobe Bryant for the fifth most in franchise history.

MAGIC 121, HEAT 114

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Cole Anthony scored 27 of his 35 points in the second half and Orlando tied their largest comeback in franchise history to beat Miami after trailing by 25 points.

The Magic also trailed by 22 entering the fourth quarter before outscoring the Heat 37-8. Their 25-point comeback ties a mark set on Nov. 8, 1989 against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Anthony also had eight rebounds and nine assists. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 24 points and Goga Bitadze added 18 points and 13 rebounds for the Magic, who lost center Mo Wagner to a knee injury in the first quarter and center Wendell Carter Jr. to an ejection before halftime.

Bam Adebayo and Terry Rozier led Miami with 23 points each, and Tyler Herro added 22.

GRIZZLIES 128, HAWKS 112

ATLANTA (AP) — Desmond Bane scored 23 points and Memphis, without star player Ja Morant, beat skidding Atlanta.

Scotty Pippen Jr. added 22 points and nine assists. Morant, who injured his back in the Grizzlies’ Dec. 19 win over Golden State, was ruled out with low back soreness before Saturday night’s game.

De’Andre Hunter led Atlanta with 26 points and Jalen Johnson added 13 points and 11 rebounds.

The Hawks were also without their own star in Trae Young, who was ruled out before the game with a right heel contusion. After winning its first three games in December, Atlanta has now lost four of its last five games.

JAZZ 105, NETS 94

NEW YORK (AP) — Lauri Markkanen scored 21 points, Collin Sexton and Svi Mykhailiuk each had 18 points, and Utah beat Brooklyn.

The Jazz, who at 7-20 have one of the worst records in the NBA, have now won consecutive games for the first time this season. They beat the Pistons 126-119 on Thursday.

Both victories have come on the road, where they improved to 5-20.

John Collins finished with 13 points and 11 rebounds while Jordan Clarkson chipped in 16 points for a struggling Utah team that had lost 12 of its previous 15 games.

Cam Johnson had 18 points and Ben Simmons added 15 points and 10 assists for the Nets, who have lost seven of their last nine.

CAVALIERS 126, 76ERS 99

CLEVELAND (AP) — Darius Garland scored 26 points and Evan Mobley had 22 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists, sending NBA-leading Cleveland to a victory over Philadelphia.

Donovan Mitchell had 19 points and Georges Niang added 13 points off the bench for Cleveland, which is 25-4 for the top record in the league.

The Cavaliers tied their season high with 22 3-pointers -- Garland made 6 of 7 -- and improved to an NBA-best 16-1 at home.

Tyrese Maxey scored 13 of his 27 points in the third quarter and Paul George had 11 points for Philadelphia. Kelly Oubre Jr. had nine points, but the 76ers were outscored by 34 in his 27 minutes.

CELTICS 123, BULLS 98

CHICAGO (AP) — Jayson Tatum scored a season-high 43 points, grabbed 16 rebounds and dished out 10 assists for his third career triple-double and Boston beat Chicago.

Kristaps Porzingis scored 22 points and Jaylen Brown added 19 to help the Celtics rebound from a 117-108 loss to the Bulls in Boston on Thursday night.

Tatum, the five-time All-Star, scored 18 points in the third quarter as Boston used a 19-8 run to open a 93-77 lead heading into the fourth.

Nikola Vucevic scored 19 points and 10 assists to lead the Bulls, whose season-high three-game winning streak ended. Zach LaVine, Coby White and Patrick Williams had 14 points each.

BUCKS 112, WIZARDS 101

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Bobby Portis replaced Giannis Antetokounmpo in the starting lineup and scored a season-high 34 points, leading Milwaukee to a victory over Washington.

Khris Middleton had 18 points, six rebounds and eight assists for the Bucks, while Portis finished with 10 rebounds and eight assists.

Antetokounmpo (back spasms) missed his third game of the season and the Bucks also played again without Damian Lillard (right calf strain) after winning the NBA Cup earlier this week.

Milwaukee coach Doc Rivers said Lillard could play Monday against Chicago.

Rookie Ryan Rollins started at point guard in Lillard’s absence and contributed 14 points in 31 minutes. Center Brook Lopez also had 14 and Gary Trent Jr. had 15 points and seven rebounds.

WARRIORS 113, TIMBERWOLVES 13

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Stephen Curry scored 11 straight points in the fourth quarter and 31 for the night as Golden State beat Minnesota.

Trayce Jackson-Davis had 15 points and nine rebounds, while Brandin Podziemski had 12 and Curry — who made seven 3-pointers — added 10 assists for the Warriors.

Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo led Minnesota with 19 points apiece. Rudy Gobert had 18 points and 12 boards for Minnesota.

Curry hit three 3-pointers and a pair of free throws in a 90-second span that helped the Warriors pull away after blowing a 21-point first-half lead.

KNICKS 104, PELICANS 93

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Jalen Brunson scored 29 of his season-high 39 points in the second half to power New York to a victory over New Orleans.

All-NBA defensive player Herb Jones pressured Brunson in the first half, picking him up at three-quarters court. That pressure led to the Knicks’ 35.6% shooting in the first half, when New Orleans held a 49-45 lead.

But Brunson caught fire in the third quarter, scoring 16 points, including 13 straight, in a 22-6 run that erased a 65-52 deficit and gave New York a 74-71 lead. Brunson scored nine of the Knicks’ first 13 points of the fourth quarter to extend the lead to 95-81.

New Orleans, which lost for the 15th time in its last 16 games, was paced by Trey Murphy III with 26 points. Dejounte Murray added 14 points for New Orleans.

The Knicks also got 18 points from Mikal Bridges and 16 from OG Anunoby.

MAVERICKS 113, CLIPPERS 97

DALLAS (AP) — Quentin Grimes scored 20 points off the bench, 14 in the fourth quarter, leading eight Mavericks in double figures as Dallas beat Los Angeles despite missing leading scorer Luka Doncic.

Doncic, fifth in the NBA with 28.9 points per game, missed his second consecutive game with a left heel contusion.

Klay Thompson scored 16 points, and Kyrie Irving and Spencer Dinwiddie had 15 apiece.

Norman Powell scored 28 points for the Clippers, who split a two-game series at Dallas. James Harden and Kevin Porter Jr. each added 19.

The Mavericks outscored the Clippers 31-18 in the second period to lead 54-40 at halftime, outshooting them 47.8% to 22.2%.

SPURS 114, TRAIL BLAZERS 94

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Victor Wembanyama scored 30 points and tied a career high with 10 blocks as San Antonio rolled to a victory against Portland.

Wembanyama added seven rebounds while sitting out the final 8 1/2 minutes of the fourth quarter with San Antonio headed to its largest margin of victory this season.

Wembanyama is the first player with four 3-pointers and 10 blocks in a game in NBA history and the first player under 21 with multiple games with double-figure blocks since the league began keeping track of blocks in 1974.

Charles Bassey added 16 points and 12 rebounds and Devin Vassell had 11 points for the Spurs, who have won four straight against the Trail Blazers.

Shaedon Sharpe scored 25 points and Anfernee Simons had 18 points for Portland.

PISTONS 133, SUNS 125

PHOENIX (AP) — Cade Cunningham scored 28 points and had 13 assists, Jalen Duren added 17 points and 11 rebounds and Detroit beat Phoenix.

The Pistons dominated the majority of the game and didn’t trail after the first few minutes. The Suns cut their deficit to 122-119 with 2:26 left on a pair of free throws by Kevin Durant, but Malik Beasley responded with a corner 3 to thwart the comeback attempt.

Durant scored a season-high 43 points on 14-of-26 shooting and made all 11 of his free throws. Bradley Beal added 26, but the Suns couldn’t overcome 19 turnovers.

Seven Detroit players scored in double figures. Jaden Ivey had 20, Beasley added 18 and Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 16.

Detroit jumped out to a 41-26 lead by the end of the first quarter, scoring 16 points off of seven Phoenix turnovers. The Suns cut the margin to 64-59 by halftime.

Sacramento Kings guard De'Aaron Fox (5) attempts a shot over Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)