by James R. Scott, The Chicago Times
December 6, 2021
CHICAGO – A 15-year-old boy has been charged with felony aggravated battery on a transit employee and disorderly conduct.
Chicago police arrested 22 juveniles that were among the crowds of teens that descended on the Loop Saturday night.
During the chaos, a CTA bus driver, 49, was beaten and dragged in the middle of Michigan Avenue by at least two people within the crowd.
According to CPD, the CTA bus driver was inspecting the bus after hearing a loud noise in the 100-block of North Michigan Avenue around 9 p.m. when he was pushed and punched repeatedly by an unknown male and female.
“We do have some people behaving foolishly, and we will not tolerate it, so I am calling on parents and guardians to step up and do your part. We want our young people to enjoy the city – it is, after all, their city – but they must do so in a way that respects the rights of others.” Mayor Lori Lightfoot said in a statement.
Keith Hill, president of the CTA union, wants more CPD presence and harsher penalties.
“Our drivers are enraged. They are terrified, and they are angry that they are sitting ducks in that seat. The most important thing is that we need more police presence and harsher penalties. You can prohibit someone from entering a store or a sporting event, but we can not prohibit anyone from using public transportation, no matter how many times they assault us.” Hill stated.
Chicago police say they had enough resources to deal with the large crowds. Two officers were injured, including one with a broken arm.
The Chicago Times 