CTA board approves $1.75 million settlement in Johnson Hollins case

The Chicago Transit Authority board on Dec. 10 approved a proposed settlement of $1,750,000 in the lawsuit captioned Kayla Johnson Hollins, individually and as independent administrator of the estate of Ernest Johnson, v. Marbella Salas and the Chicago Transit Authority (Circuit Court of Cook County, case no. 2025L002746).

The item was reviewed during executive session under the Illinois Open Meetings Act. In open session, counsel stated the settlement figure and presented the motion. The board initially recorded a roll-call vote on a $1,700,000 figure, then moved to reconsider; a subsequent motion approved the settlement in the amount of $1,750,000. Roll-call votes were recorded in the transcript and the motion passed.

Board members present voted to approve the settlement; the transcript records a formal roll-call process and subsequent clerk correction of the approved amount.

What’s next: Staff will execute the settlement documentation consistent with the board’s vote and court procedures. The transcript indicates the board followed required closed-session and open-session procedures for review and approval of the settlement.