From growing up in a transit-rich community to working in Chicago’s transit network itself, Christian Díaz is all about connecting both people and places.
Appointed to the Metra board in April 2026, Díaz is its first openly queer member. He comes with a background of public service, and hopes to put all his experience into creating a more equitable, accessible transit experience.
Díaz was born in Mexico but grew up in Logan Square—giving him an early life connected to multiple bus lines and trains, and sparking his interest in transit.
“I personally experienced the benefits, the opportunity that comes with living in proximity to transit,” he said. “And not just proximity to transit, but having housing that we could afford near transit.”
After seeing gentrification spread through Logan Square—especially affecting the Latino community, they noted—and land value near public transit increase post-2008, they became more involved in the need for affordable housing.
“A lot of people are displaced to the suburbs, which are served by the Metra, and so Metra becomes an important connection for people who still come to Chicago to work or study or play,” Díaz said. “Those are the kinds of intersectional conversations I really want to bring to the board.”
Prior to joining the Metra board, Díaz served as Vice-Chair of Governor J.B. Pritzker’s Community Land Trust Task Force and Mayor Lori Lighfoot’s Inclusionary Housing Task Force. In 2018, they led a racial equity impact assessment for a public infrastructure project, specifically to redesign a Logan Square traffic circle.
As a queer person, he said it takes courage to be his authentic self—even if it shouldn’t. But that courage has lent itself to his public policy work as he worked on successful projects that were once deemed “not possible.”
He previously fought to transform a Logan Square CTA-owned parking lot into affordable housing. After many days protesting, attending meetings and more with community members, they were able to achieve their goal. The experience has stuck with him.
Díaz said their previous roles taught them about the scale of impact a community can have when they unite around a common goal. Their biggest lessons were to “dream big, not take no for an answer and to be courageous.”
Now, he’s co-chair of the Systems Change Working Group for Elevate Chicago and a project manager for the Latin United Community Housing Association (LUCHA). He said he doesn’t view his positions as different areas all needing his attention, but as topics that are very intersectional and connected.
Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration reached out to Díaz about being a part of the Metra board, which he accepted—“I share those values with the mayor around inclusion and affordability.” Díaz said it took a bit of “thick skin” to put himself out there, but his experience being courageous as an out queer person was an indispensable asset.
As the first openly queer person ever appointed to the board, Díaz said the reaction from his community has been one of hope. As there are many negative reactions nationwide to diversity and inclusion, he said it’s a statement in itself to be there and be visible.
“It wasn’t that long ago that an appointment like this for an LGBTQ+ person was unthinkable, and public roles in public service were unthinkable,” they said. “I stand on the shoulders of giants who came before us, especially Black trans women who fought for our right to exist authentically. So I think there’s a lot of hope.”
Since beginning his role, Metra launched an employee resource group for LGBTQ+ employees. Díaz was one of the speakers at the first Pride Alliance event organized by Metra Leadership, and the company also participated in the Chicago Pride parade.
Although he isn’t involved in day-to-day operations at Metra, Díaz works to ensure Metra is complying with financial integrity and in good financial standing with other public institutions. His general role responsibilities are to hire and support the CEO, approve the yearly budget and to help influence policy to make transit more accessible.
Díaz’s appointment to the board will last for five years. During their time, they hope to introduce a tiered fare system to make transit more affordable to low-income riders. They also want to integrate the CTA, Pace and Metra payment systems and create a universal fare.
His ideal future would be a “more equitable and accessible transit system for all people.”
“I think the unifying thread along all [my] roles is a conviction that people of color matter, that queer people matter,” they said. “And that we need to center those experiences in our decision-making.”