AC propulsion allows for smoother acceleration, lower operational costs, less wear and tear, and greater energy efficiency.

In particular, AC propulsion can take advantage of regenerative braking, meaning the train returns excess energy to the third rail as it slows down.

LCD screens, installed near the doors, display real-time surveillance footage of riders in order to deter crime.

[12][13] However, on April 11, 2016, Bombardier filed a protest of the award, alleging that CTA rigged the procurement to give CRRC an unfair advantage.

[14] On September 28, 2016, the CTA finalized its decision to make CRRC Sifang America the manufacturer of the 7000-series cars.

[8] CRRC said it planned to use its Chicago factory to produce rapid transit rail cars for San Francisco and bi-level coach cars for Metra, a commuter rail operator serving Chicago metropolitan area, if it won contracts for these.

Car shells are manufactured in China, transported by ships to Los Angeles or Houston, and then by trucks to Chicago to be completed at the CRRC Sifang America plant.

However, the computer and software components and the automatic train control system will be made by American and Canadian firms.

[3] Although CRRC has also been producing rapid transit trains for Boston, CTA Vice President for Purchasing Ellen McCormick said she was unsuccessful in obtaining information on the rail cars delivered to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority.

[3] In mid-2019, the United States Congress considered banning federal dollars from being spent on Chinese buses and trains due to concerns about unfair competition from state-sponsored firms, sabotage, and espionage.

It would prevent the company from taking further orders in the American market, but would not affect CRRC's current contract with the CTA.

[21] In May 2023, the CTA announced their plans to cancel the optional number of vehicles and transfer to the new fleet dubbed the 9000-series currently in the design phase.