travel information chicago cta

Awesome, you're subscribed!

Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon!

The best of Chicago for free.

Sign up for our email to enjoy Chicago without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush).

Déjà vu! We already have this email. Try another?

By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions.

Love the mag?

Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox. Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news, events, offers and partner promotions.

• Things to Do
• Food & Drink
• Time Out Market
• Coca-Cola Foodmarks
• Attractions
• Los Angeles

Get us in your inbox

🙌 Awesome, you're subscribed!

Chicago transit guide

Before you hop on that bus or train, plan your trip on Chicago transit with information about El stations, Ventra and more

If you're looking for a way to get around the city, you can always take a cab or drive, but the cheapest way to and from the Loop and everywhere it leads is to hop on a bus or a train. Plan your trip in by keeping up to date with CTA projects, Ventra hiccups and everything else you need to know about Chicago transit.

The latest Chicago transit news

High-speed rail project from O'Hare to Chicago in the works

A high-speed rail project would connect O'Hare to downtown Chicago, Rockford, Champaign and beyond.

Say goodbye to the Madison/Wabash El station

One of the city's most depressing El stations closed for good on Monday. 

CTA to host concert series outside of El stops in June

Your evening commute during the second and third weeks of June is going to be way more interesting.

Red light cameras are a pain, but speed cameras are much worse

On Sunday, Mayor Rahm Emananuel announced that the city will remove 50 red light cameras at 25 intersections and that those cameras would no longer be issuing...

Chicago transit features

The 5 worst intersections in Chicago

There are loads of terrible intersections throughout the city. Here are some of the worst that we're aware of.  

A complete guide to the 606

For years, the Bloomingdale Trail was an unused elevated train line, riddled with weeds and broken bottles. After some extensive rennovations, it's now...

Quiz: Which CTA El station is this?

Whether you love or loathe the CTA, as a Chicagoan you probably spend plenty of time riding the El. But have you ever stopped to really notice the art on...

You can rent out a private CTA train for $1,800

We’ve all been there. You’re waiting for a train with your friends in the wee hours of the morning and a completely empty train car rolls up. It’s every...

Historic photos of Chicago trains and buses

Take a ride back in time on the green and cream CTA buses, trains, trolleys (and horses!) from Chicago's public transportation past

2014's best People of the CTA photos

One of the best (and worst) things about Chicago transit is that all kinds of people from different walks of life—sometimes different planets—are huddled...

The 19 people you'll see on the CTA

All kinds of bizarre people ride our buses and trains, but these are the most common characters you'll see—and attempt to avoid

The 6 best and 6 worst El stations

Some CTA stops make us happy to ride the train, other make us angrier than a tourist trying to reload a Ventra card

Everything you need to know about Ventra

Ventra FAQs

Cutting through the information fog on the CTA’s fare system

The best #AskVentra questions on Twitter

Chicago's most (un)reliable PR fiasco suffers yet another public embarrassment

The best reactions to the CTA's fare system

After the morning commute, the "new way to pay on the CTA" has garnered mixed reactions

We answer your Chicago transit questions

What does it take to get a seat on the train?

Pregnant, gimpy, overburdened or all three: What's a girl gotta do to earn a seat on the jam-packed El?

Can CTA employees use signs and vests to park in tow zones?

The transit agency says it’s looking into the use of emergency signs and CTA vests to dodge fines

Are there public bathrooms at the Chicago Blue Line station?

In the mezzanine level of the Chicago Blue Line stop, there are two bathroom doors. Are these open to the public?

What's up with the See Something, Say Something poster campaign?

Does the CTA’s poster campaign do nothing?

Discover Time Out original video

• Press office
• Investor relations
• Work for Time Out
• Editorial guidelines
• Privacy notice
• Do not sell my information
• Cookie policy
• Accessibility statement
• Terms of use
• Copyright agent
• Modern slavery statement
• Manage cookies
• Advertising

Time Out products

• Time Out Worldwide

Time Out magazine

CTA bus routes around the city will soon see more service; 29 routes getting increases

CHICAGO (WLS) -- More CTA bus service is coming soon on 29 routes around the city, the Chicago Transit Authority announced Wednesday.

Most of the new service will be during weekdays, with extra Saturday service on the 77 Belmont bus and 81 Lawrence bus.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Starting on March 29, bus routes will return to nearly pre-COVID scheduled service levels, the agency said. CTA said they're targeting a variety of routes that have experienced strong ridership recovery.

The routes that will see more frequent service in spring 2024 are:

#3 King Drive

#X9 Ashland Express

#20 Madison

#36 Broadway

#49B North Western

#52A South Kedzie

#53 Pulaski

#55 Garfield

#60 Blue Island/26th

#66 Chicago

#70 Division

#71 71st/South Shore

#75 74th-75th

#77 Belmont

#81 Lawrence

#82 Kimball-Homan

#85 Central

#111 11th/King Drive

#115 Pullman/115th

The CTA said they expect to add rail service on the L in the late spring and summer, especially during the AM and PM rush periods on weekdays, along the Red, Green, Brown and Purple Lines, as well as the O'Hare branch of the Blue Line as new operators complete their training.

Related Topics

• PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

1 shot at CTA Red Line 95th Street station, CPD says

Art at CTA Red Line stations unveiled as part of reconstruction

CTA adding more L service throughout spring, summer

5 shot, 1 fatally, on West Side: CPD

Top stories.

Tornado Watch in effect for parts of Chicago area | LIVE Radar

• 9 minutes ago

Chicago woman gets 50 years for murder in which baby was cut from womb

Naperville schools lockdowns lifted after shooting investigation

• 2 hours ago

El Chapo writes yet another letter to federal judge from prison

• 33 minutes ago

Brookfield Zoo to welcome 2 koalas for the first time

Senior admin. for Dolton, Thornton Twp. charged with bankruptcy fraud

• 13 minutes ago

Mysterious Taylor Swift mural appears on River North building

Health officials discuss lessons learned from Chicago measles outbreak

Chicago Transit: CTA Tracker 4+

Metra, bus and 'l' times, adamton apps ltd.

• 4.9 • 23 Ratings
• Offers In-App Purchases

Screenshots

Description.

Introducing the ultimate travel app for Chicago! Say goodbye to waiting for buses or trains with our real-time tracking feature that shows you exactly where your ride is and when it will arrive. • Our app offers up to five different route options to your destination, so you can choose the fastest or most convenient route for your trip • Never miss your stop again with our stop notifications, which alert you when your stop is approaching. • With live crowding information, you'll know whether to skip the next bus or train or wait for the next one. • Stay ahead of delays and diversions with our real-time updates, and enjoy the convenience of full seven-day schedules with live and offline map routes. • Need to find your way home? Our one-tap "get me home" feature and last bus or train information will make sure you never get lost again. Simplify your daily commute and download our app today! -- Privacy Policy: https://travelwhiz.app/privacy Terms of Use: https://travelwhiz.app/terms

Version 2024.2.9

This release includes a number of bug fixes and improvements to the app, including: A new status indicator when activating a Live Activity. The app now correctly shows you multiple addresses when choosing a contact from your address book. Train departure search now works correctly. Watch App: Long line names now show correctly. Your feedback means a lot - if you have any suggestions, or run into any issues, just tap on the Settings button and get in touch with us. If you can spare a moment, we'd love it if you could leave a review on the App Store - it means so much to us to hear from you, our customer. Thanks for using the app!

Ratings and Reviews

Ui for live tracking is confusing.

There is the ability to show live tracking for a stop, but it is buried in a confusing UI. I would like to have a shortcut for showing live tracking on certain lines. But you have to click through multiple screens and manually select it each time, it is not clear or intuitive. Also, sometimes live tracking won’t turn off, so you have to uninstall the app to not drain battery life. This app has potential and i am paying for a subscription so hopefully they fix that part. The watch app and widgets are also not that useful, they just tell you if service is OK. Why not have the next 3 times for favorited lines, with service warnings only when there is a delay?

App Privacy

The developer, Adamton Apps ltd , indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

Data Not Linked to You

The following data may be collected but it is not linked to your identity:

• Health & Fitness
• Contact Info
• Search History
• Identifiers
• Diagnostics

Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More

Information

English, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Traditional Chinese

• Chicago+ Annual $29.00
• Chicago+ Monthly $5.00
• Chicago+ Annual $8.99
• Secret Discount $4.99
• Chicago+ Annual $12.99
• Chicago+ Annual $17.99
• Lifetime Pass $89.00
• Developer Website
• App Support
• Privacy Policy

Family Sharing

Some in‑app purchases, including subscriptions, may be shareable with your family group when family sharing is enabled., more by this developer.

NYC Transit: MTA Bus & Subway

Seattle Transit: Bus Tracker

Boston Transit: MBTA Tracker

PhillyMove: SEPTA Metro Times

Toronto Bus & Subway Tracker

Vancouver Metro Bus Tracker

You Might Also Like

Bus Tracker - Chicago

ezRide Chicago CTA Transit

Chicago CTA Train Bus Tracker

MyChicago Bus Tracker

Chicago CTA Bus Tracker

Chicago BusTracker - CTA

DriveChic-Clean

Blog about public transportation

Optimizing Your Journey with the CTA Trip Planner

The user’s journey on transit is simplified and rendered more efficient through various accessible tools and resources. With numerous strategies in place, individuals can navigate transit networks with confidence and ease, thereby contributing to a smooth and timely transit experience.

Table of Contents

Utilizing Trip-Planning Tools for Efficient Journeys

Effective trip planning is facilitated by various platforms, among which Google Maps and the RTA (Regional Transit Authority) Travel Information Center stand out for their reliability and user-friendly interfaces. Both entities provide comprehensive tools and resources, optimizing transit routes and ensuring passengers find the most straightforward path to their destinations.

Leveraging Google Maps for Transit and Pedestrian Directions

When exploring through Google Transit, an integrated feature within Google Maps, users can retrieve both transit and walking directions, providing a multi-modal navigation solution. This functionality, accessible through a new browsing window, simplifies trip planning by consolidating different modes of transportation into one coherent route.

Accessing RTA Travel Information Center Services

The RTA Travel Information Center, accessible at +1 (312) 836-7000, avails travel information to passengers, ensuring they navigate through transit networks with ease. It is essential to note that the center operates from 6am to 7pm, from Monday to Saturday, and is equipped to provide information via TTY at (312) 836-4949. Passengers seeking optimized services should be prepared to provide details about their starting points, destinations, and intended travel times.

Making Use of Third-Party Transit Applications

Various third-party applications, which leverage data from the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), offer step-by-step trip planners to aid users in seamlessly navigating through cities using transit. While checking your device’s app store for these applications, it’s prudent to select apps that have been recognized and trusted by a broad user base, bearing in mind that downloading and using third-party applications should be performed with due diligence and caution, as the veracity and safety of these apps cannot be assured.

Self-Guided Trip Planning with Available Maps

Published maps, both online and within physical transit locations, serve as invaluable resources for those planning their trips autonomously. In addition, within each railcar and station, maps are conspicuously displayed to assist passengers in crafting their routes while utilizing the ‘L’ transit options, ensuring that even without digital access, passengers can navigate the transit system effectively.

• Connections Blog
• How to use transit to enjoy spring in the Chicago region

How to use transit to enjoy spring in the Chicago region April 12, 2024

Back in 1837 when Chicago officially incorporated, “Urbs in Horto” (or “City in a Garden”) was the phrase selected for the city’s budding future. Urban designers and landscape architects like Frederick Law Olmsted, Daniel Burnham, and Jens Jensen transformed the city into an urban oasis and advocated for its preservation for future generations. Now that spring has sprung, enjoy the balmy temperatures by taking the CTA, Metra, or Pace to catch a glimpse of Chicagoland’s rich tradition of landscape architecture via one of the many gardens, arboretums, or conservatories listed below.

Citywide Parks and Gardens 

Garden of the phoenix within jackson park.

Located along the lakefront in the Woodlawn community, Jackson Park is truly an urban and cultural oasis. It was home to the 1893 Columbian Exposition, which paid homage to natural beauty and left behind lagoons and gardens fitted with more than 160 cherry blossom trees, a gift from Japan at the turn of the century. Often referred to as the Japanese Garden, the Garden of the Phoenix, nestled between two lagoons on Wooded Island, is the perfect spot for a picnic or a spring stroll.

Where: 6401 S. Stony Island Ave. Chicago, IL 60637

How to get there:

• Metra Electric (Univ. Of Chicago/59th St.) and walk 10 minutes (0.5 miles)
• CTA Bus #2, #6, #15, and #28 (Stony Island & 59th Street) and walk 8 minutes (.4 miles)

Columbus Park

Designed by renowned landscape architect Jens Jensen, Columbus Park is a 140-acre historic park located in the Austin community. The park is one of the few in the nation to be designated a National Historic Landmark and is a testament to the revitalization of native plant species and the natural history and topography of the land. The park also hosts an array of programming from dance, sports, and crafts year-round.

Where: 500 S. Central Ave. Chicago, IL 60644

• CTA Blue Line (Austin) and walk for 2 minutes (0.1 miles)
• CTA Bus #126 (Jackson & Central), CTA Bus #91 (Austin and Jackson), CTA Bus #12 (Central & Harrison Terminal) and walk for 1 minute
• Pace Bus #315 (Austin/Harrison) and walk for 1 minute or Pace Bus #314 (Ridgeland Ave & Harrison St) and walk for 10 minutes (0.5 miles)

Tom (Ping) Memorial Park

Originally a Chicago and Western Indiana Railroad yard, Ping Tom Memorial Park has been transformed into a 12-acre park located in the easily accessible Chinatown neighborhood. If you can’t get enough of cherry blossoms, Ping Tom has them along with ample green space, walking paths by the river, and kayak rentals once temperatures rise. Community gathering areas are decorated with Chinese landscape design elements, honoring the Chinese people that have prospered in this area for decades.

Where: 1700 S. Wentworth Ave. Chicago, IL 60616

• CTA bus route #62 (Archer & Wentworth), then walk 4 minutes (0.2 miles).
• CTA Red Line (Cermak-Chinatown stop), then walk 6 minutes (0.3 miles).

Garfield Park Conservatory

One of the largest greenhouse conservatories in the United States, the Garfield Park Conservatory is a must-see—especially if winter temperatures are still lingering. Often referred to as “landscape art under glass,” the Conservatory showcases thousands of plant species all year. Free reservations are required to enter the conservatory.

Where: Located in Garfield Park, 300 N Central Park Ave, Chicago, IL 60624

• CTA Green Line (Conservatory-Central Park Drive) and walk for 1 minute.

Lincoln Park Conservatory

Situated in a Victorian-era glass house, the Lincoln Park Conservatory provides a glimpse into one of the oldest public gardens in Chicago, taking root in the late 1870s. No matter the time of year, the Lincoln Park Conservatory is always green and lush, but the Spring Flower Show, “Sweet Gnome Chicago,” invites visitors to imagine gardens in a different way. The Spring Flower exposition runs until May 12. Entry is free with a recommended donation, and an advanced time-slot registration is required.

Where: 2391 N. Stockton Dr. Chicago, IL 60614

• CTA Bus #156 or #151 (Stockton & Webster) and walk for 2 minutes (0.1 miles)
• CTA Bus #22 or #36 (Clark & Belden) and walk for 4 minutes (0.2 miles)
• CTA Red, Purple, Brown Lines (Fullerton) and connect to CTA Bus #74 (Lincoln & Webster) and walk 10 minutes (0.5 miles)

Lurie Garden and North Rose Garden

Adjacent to one other, Lurie Garden at the south end of Millennium Park and the North Rose Garden next to Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park are two iconic gardens situated next to killer skyline and lakefront views. Both parks are bustling with life and teeming with tulips, roses, and butterflies in anticipation for spring. As well, Lurie Garden hosts monthly garden walks for those who want to learn more about horticulture.

Where: Located in Millennium Park (220 E Monroe St, Chicago, IL 60601) and Grant Park, respectively

Transit nearby:

• Metra Electric to Millennium Station
• Michigan and Monroe CTA bus station
• Michigan and Washington CTA bus station
• Washington and Wabash CTA train station

South Shore Cultural Center

Located along the lakefront in a 65-acre park, the South Shore Cultural Center is home to a butterfly garden, manicured gardens, a nature sanctuary, and tons of other amenities like a solarium, golf course, tennis courts, and a bathing beach. Designated as a Chicago landmark in 2004 and put on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975, this cultural and recreational amenity is only a bus or train ride away.

Where: 7059 S South Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60649

• CTA Bus #6 (S. Shore Drive & 71st Street) and walk 1 minute.
• Metra Electric Line (South Shore station), then walk 1 minute.

University of Chicago’s Botanic Garden initiative

The University of Chicago has spearheaded ongoing funding for the Botanic Garden initiative, which has secured its place as one of the few universities where the entire campus itself is considered a botanic garden or arboretum. With over 15 botanic gardens placed around the campus, one can be enveloped in flora. As well, there are two campus vegetable gardens that promote urban sustainability and provide urban farming engagement.

Where: University of Chicago, 5801 S Ellis Ave, Chicago, IL 60637

• CTA bus route #4 (Cottage Grove & 60th Street stop), then walk 1 minute.
• CTA Green Line (Cottage Grove stop), then walk 8 minutes (0.4 miles).
• Metra Electric Line (University of Chicago/59th St station), then walk 1 minute.

Suburban Parks and Gardens

Lilacia park.

The Lombard Park District’s Lilacia Park is an 8.5-acre horticultural showcase featuring 700 lilacs and 25,000 tulips. Designated on the National Register of Historic Places, the park is celebrating the floral tradition from May 4– May 19 with events such as wine tastings, plant markets, historic tours, and other festivities.

Where: 150 S. Park Avenue, Lombard, IL 60148

• Metra UP-W Line (Lombard station), then walk 1 minute.

Oak Park Conservatory

Visit the Oak Park Conservatory to explore three indoor Conservatory showrooms as well as blooming outdoor gardens, including some Illinois native species. Catch the annual spring plant and seed sales and partake in virtual Learn & Grow lectures to learn about the plants that are available at the sale and how to successfully grow them.

Where: 615 Garfield Street, Oak Park, IL 60304

• CTA Blue Line (Oak Park stop), then walk 1 minute.
• CTA Green Line (Oak Park stop), transfer to Pace bus route #311 (Oak Park & Garfield St stop), then walk 4 minutes (0.2 miles).
• Metra UP-W Line (Oak Park station), walk 6 minutes (0.3 miles) to Pace bus #311 (Oak Park Ave & Garfield St stop) then walk 4 minutes (0.2 miles).

Chicago Botanic Garden

Home to 385 acres of 27 unique gardens and the Lenhardt Library, one of the country's largest collections of rare botanical books, the Chicago Botanic Garden is emblematic of a “City in the Garden.” With spring being the season of renewal, the garden is ringing in a new year with millions of blooms.

Where: 1000 Lake Cook Rd, Glencoe, IL 60022

• CTA Red Line (Howard stop), then walk 3 minutes, Pace bus route #213 (Lake-Cook Rd & Turnbull Woods Ct stop), then walk 8 minutes (0.4 miles).
• Metra UP-N Line (Braeside station), walk 10 minutes (0.4 miles) to reach Pace bus route #213 (Lake-Cook Rd & Turnbull Woods Ct stop), then walk 8 minutes (0.4 miles).

Subscribe to our Newsletter

• Regional Transit Update newsletter (twice monthly)
• Data and analysis from RTAMS
• Latest Connections blog posts
• Media alerts

Related Articles

Back in 1837 when Chicago officially incorporated, “Urbs in Horto” (or “City in a Garden”) was the phrase selected for the city’s budding future. Urban desig...

As Tax Day approaches on April 15, the RTA is reminding riders about a tax benefit that is good news for both employers and employees: the RTA Transit Benefi...

Chicagoland is home to five major sporting franchises and dozens of local teams. Take the CTA, Metra, or Pace and support the athletes representing the Chica...

In November 2023, RTA provided 25,000 transit passes loaded with $20 each to The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence, an Illinois membership organi...

A major, multiyear construction project on the Kennedy Expressway stretching 7.5 miles from the junction with the Edens to Ohio Street threatens to leave dri...

March marks Women’s History Month, a time to reflect and celebrate the often-overlooked contributions of women who build up the local economy, cultural capit...

Block Club Chicago

Your Neighborhood News Site

CTA’s New ‘Dynamic’ Schedule Adds Little Train Service To Struggling System

Share this:

• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
• Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)

Credibility:

• Original Reporting
• Sources Cited

CHICAGO — The CTA’s new rail schedule aims to combat service issues reported by riders across the city — but it doesn’t add trains.

The new “dynamic” rail schedule for the spring and summer went into effect last week with a promise of “gradually increasing” service through the seasons as the agency looks to bring on more rail operators, according to a news release.

The CTA began adding some pre-pandemic bus runs back to its schedule last month , but its new train schedule shows no significant additions, transit advocates and a train operator said.

“It’s pretty much the same,” a train operator said. “But more people are riding , and we need to see a service increase.”

During a City Council hearing in February , CTA President Dorval Carter promised to restore rail service to pre-pandemic levels by the end of the year. The number of scheduled trains running across the system is still 20 percent below pre-pandemic levels, said Brandon McFadden, a cybersecurity analyst  who tracks CTA reliability .

All agree the problem comes down to staffing. Four years after the pandemic, the agency continues to lose rail operators faster than it can hire them.

There were 285 CTA rail operators in February — down 18 since December 2023, according to the latest data from the Regional Transportation Authority . The CTA had 361 rail operators in December 2019.

Transit agencies in other major U.S. cities have been faster to recover their workforces.

The BART in San Francisco added 65 rail operators over the last year and now has a higher headcount than it did pre-pandemic, a spokesperson said. The MTA in New York City has 79 more rail operators than it did in the first quarter of 2020, a spokesperson said. Washington D.C.’s Metro is seven operators under its required headcount to run full service, which includes a buffer for vacation time and days off, a spokesperson said.

The CTA says help is on the way, with 67 hires currently in rail operator training.

“Overall, the levels of service will have some immediate improvements, especially along the O’Hare Branch of the Blue Line, but much of the scheduled service is similar to the service we were providing prior to the new schedule,” CTA spokesperson Maddie Kilgannon said in a statement.

CTA staffing levels for bus operations are recovering but are still about 150 positions below pre-pandemic levels, according to agency data . A hiring report last year by TransitCenter credited the CTA for streamlining “short-term capacity problems” by putting applications and assessments for bus operators online.

“Agencies are currently faced with the need to recover from slower hiring during the pandemic, higher attrition rates, and a challenging labor market — all while preparing for the coming wave of retirements,” according to the study. “Many transit agency human resource teams cannot keep up with the hiring needed to address the current vacancies.”

Yonah Freemark, a research director studying transit systems at D.C.-based think tank Urban Institute, said the CTA’s pandemic recovery still trails behind its counterparts in other major U.S. cities, which have increased staff and in some cases expanded rail service .

“CTA has blamed challenges on attracting conductors, but other transit agencies seem to have gotten over that problem,” Freemark said. “Chicago’s excuses don’t add up anymore.”

At the February council meeting, Carter said he aims to make the CTA rival transit systems in London and Paris and has worked to address retirement and attrition issues.

But attrition at the CTA continues to be a problem as rail operators deal with inconsistent schedules, “swing” shifts that are only hours apart, limited vacation and the agency’s reliance on workers picking up overtime, a rail operator said.

Data shows the CTA’s hiring efforts are being offset by rail operators who choose to quit or transfer to other departments within the agency. One rail operator told Block Club they’re interested in a less demanding role as a supervisor or as a switch or control tower worker.

“The culture right now is ‘get in, get out.’ Just keep your head down,” the rail operator said. “People want to just get off the trains, honestly. It feels like they haven’t done anything to improve quality of life.”

Natasha Gray, a rail operator who spoke at the February city council hearing, said she was assaulted on the Red Line. She asked Carter to bring back two-person train crews to better protect workers.

“I appreciate my job and enjoy my job,” Gray said. “We just deal with a lot more things now.”

Shifts in the rail schedule are drafted by rail operators and can only be changed by the agency twice a year under union contracts. Leaders with CTA’s largest rail union, currently negotiating a new contract, did not return requests for comment.

McFadden credited the CTA for putting out a “more transparent” train schedule that now removes shifts that aren’t picked by operators, which could lead to a more accurate public-facing schedule and fewer “ghost” trains and buses .

“It’s an underpromise approach,” McFadden said. “The public will see closer to 100 percent of scheduled train runs, but the service levels itself are no different than before.”

The clearer schedules also reveal more “inequities” in train service, McFadden said. Shifts including some weekday evenings on the Green Line’s South and West sides often go unclaimed, forcing customers to wait an hour or more for a train.

Whether the train schedules can be “dynamic” — adding back service through the spring and summer — remains to be seem, McFadden said.

“They haven’t had the operators to run more trains,” McFadden said.

Mayor Brandon Johnson joined Carter at a Wednesday ceremony for about 100 new CTA hires and staff promotions.

“You are part of the bright future of CTA, but you’re also the future of this city,” Johnson said. “Thank you for fighting for a transportation system that our city truly deserves.”

Support Local News!

Subscribe to Block Club Chicago , an independent, 501(c)(3), journalist-run newsroom. Every dime we make funds reporting from Chicago’s neighborhoods. Already subscribe?  Click here to gift a subscription , or you can support Block Club with a tax-deductible donation.

Listen to the Block Club Chicago podcast:

Mack Liederman

Twitter @mack_liederman More by Mack Liederman

Watch CBS News

Chicago public health officials warn of possible measles exposures on CTA buses, at public schools

By Todd Feurer

Updated on: April 5, 2024 / 4:39 PM CDT / CBS Chicago

CHICAGO (CBS) --  Chicago public health officials were warning people of possible measles exposures at several locations in March, including three public schools, a CTA bus line, and the Orange Line.

Chicago Department of Public Health officials released a list of possible exposure locations where they could not obtain a specific list of people who might have been exposed:

Public health officials said anyone who was at one of the above locations at the listed date and time should make sure they are up to date on the measles vaccine. Illinois residents can check their immunization records using the Illinois Department of Public Health  Vax Verify portal .

The Public Health Department said they're also working with the Chicago Public Schools to investigate cases of measles in children who attended school while contagious at three schools:

Parents and staff at those schools were being notified if they or their children might have been exposed to measles at school.

Anyone who might have been exposed to measles should monitor themselves for symptoms, including a rash, high fever, cough, runny nose, and red watery eyes. It can take 7 to 21 days after exposure for symptoms to appear.

If you show symptoms of measles, you should stay home and away from others, and call your doctor to make arrangements for evaluation and treatment.

With four new cases in the past week, the Chicago Department of Public Health has confirmed 57 cases of measles since early March, when an outbreak began at the city's migrant shelter in Pilsen. The vast majority of the cases, 70%, involve children, with 58% of those cases involving kids age 4 or under, according to Chicago Department of Public Health data.

After the outbreak began at the Pilsen migrant shelter, the city began requiring migrants to get vaccinated for measles , and stepped up vaccination efforts . Officials said efforts are underway to get those migrants a second dose of the vaccine.

• Chicago Public Schools
• Chicago Transit Authority

Todd Feurer is a web producer at CBS News Chicago. He has previously written for WBBM Newsradio, WUIS-FM, and the New City News Service.

Featured Local Savings

More from cbs news.

Second measles case confirmed in Cook County suburbs

Fight on CTA Red Line train caught on video

Smith & Wollensky Steakhouse reopens along Chicago River a week after fire

Memorial service held for Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough

Transportation | Many of Chicago’s vacant lots are near transit,…

Share this:.

• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on X (Opens in new window)
• Click to print (Opens in new window)
• Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
• Top Workplaces
• Real Estate

Transportation

Transportation | many of chicago’s vacant lots are near transit, posing challenges for neighborhoods and cta, study says, many of the lots are in predominantly black communities, and they have implications for city efforts to spur development near transit.

More than one-third of vacant lots in Chicago are close to “L” stations, a new report shows, creating challenges for neighborhoods and the CTA alike.

And most of those vacant lots are in predominantly Black communities, a glaring symbol of historic disinvestment, according to the report from transit-focused development collaborative Elevated Chicago, the Institute for Housing Studies at DePaul University and community groups.

The city has long been plagued by vacant lots , often concentrated in Black neighborhoods. But vacant land near the CTA poses additional challenges. Sometimes breeding environmental hazards and safety concerns, unmaintained vacant lots can limit how willing residents are to walk to transportation and other neighborhood amenities, shaping when and how residents take public transit and the ability of transit, often considered a neighborhood asset, to connect communities to the rest of the city.

And vacant lots’ proximity to public transportation has taken on increasing importance as the city has tried to spur development near bus and train lines , including recently a direct focus on the South and West sides.

In 2022, aldermen approved the newest version of the city’s transit-oriented development ordinance, which officials said at the time was intended to address gentrification and undo inequities that came from earlier versions of the policy, which led to the vast majority of development near transit taking place in areas such as the North Side, Near Northwest Side, West Loop and downtown.

But outside those areas, city- and privately owned land that now sits vacant holds dormant potential to be put to uses that could draw transit riders and residents out into the community, the report’s authors said. For example, the busy 95th Street Red Line station is a hub for train and bus riders — and the planned extension of the Red Line south from the station to 130th Street has brought focus on development in the area — but vacant land nearby doesn’t give riders a reason to leave the station and spend money out in the community, said Marly Schott with Elevated Chicago.

Charles Perry hopes to change that by opening an ice cream shop nearby. But he worries about the empty lots in the area.

“Just the vacant lots, for the community itself, is demeaning,” he said. “It says that we don’t value this space that we have.”

In the report, the Institute for Housing Studies analyzed vacant lots owned by the city and private entities , proximity to CTA train stations, and the racial and ethnic makeup of the areas where the lots were found. The organization studied vacant lots as of July 2023, and considered them close to transit if they were within a half-mile of an “L” station.

They found the communities that had among the most vacant lots near transit included Englewood and West Englewood, home to the terminus of one branch of the CTA Green Line. Also topping the list were East and West Garfield Park, served by two CTA train lines, and North Lawndale, served by the Pink Line.

Elevated Chicago and community groups then zeroed in on two areas, East Garfield Park, and Roseland and Washington Heights, talking to residents who expressed concerns about maintaining housing affordability as vacant land is developed, the challenges of navigating city programs to redevelop vacant lots, and the desire to see developments include amenities like grocery stores.

The data showed more than 14,700 vacant lots in the city were close to a CTA train station as of July 2023. Nearly 74% of the lots were within predominantly Black communities.

That includes more than 1,500 vacant lots in East Garfield Park, where Brian Ellison lives. Though his home is blocks from the Green Line, he and his wife rarely take public transit. His wife doesn’t feel comfortable walking to and from transit, past vacant lots, he said.

“It just feels kind of desolate,” he said.

Maintaining the affordability of the neighborhood as the lots are developed is key to Ellison, who has worked with Elevated Chicago and leads the board of neighborhood group Garfield Park Community Council. Stabilizing the neighborhood can recapture a sense of safety and pride for residents, he said.

He is excited about an affordable housing development in the works nearby called Fifth City Commons, for which he consulted with the developer, but said more commercial development is needed in the neighborhood, along with parks and green space. And he feels strongly that continued efforts should be made to avoid pushing out longtime residents as lots are developed.

The report also found most vacant lots near transit were privately owned, but more than 25% were owned by the city. While figuring out who owns private lots and working with the entities can be complicated, the city has control of how its own lots might be used, said Geoff Smith, executive director of the Institute for Housing Studies.

The city has long owned vacant land in predominantly Black communities, but a high concentration of that land is near transit, Smith said. Some 90% of city-owned vacant lots near transit are in Black communities, a share Smith said was surprising.

The lots’ proximity to transit is an incentive for development, said Peter Strazzabosco, a spokesman for the city’s Department of Planning and Development, in a statement. He pointed to projects that have used city-owned land for development near transit, such as a mixed-income residential and commercial development near the Green Line near Bronzeville and a residential development in the works near the Green Line in Englewood.

“The lots are opportunities more than barriers,” he said, citing city incentives and grants for development near transit and programs to encourage development of vacant lots.

The city’s transit-oriented development policy can help shape what happens to the lots, but the city can also work to better connect residents to opportunities to put the vacant land in their communities to use, Schott said. Also key to the process will be working with communities to make sure residents aren’t displaced by gentrification, Schott said.

In the meantime, the sheer number of vacant lots surrounding transit was “staggering” to Schott. And the potential held by hundreds of empty lots in a single community is vast, she said.

Vacant lots can pose environmental hazards and sites for increased crime, Schott said. Near transit the effects can go further, limiting how safe both visitors to a community and residents feel walking to and from train stations, shaping decisions on how to get around the city and where to go. That can force residents to feel like they need to own a car, and limit the number of riders on CTA, she said.

“The safer our transit is, the more people will take it, and the more people will move throughout the city to areas they might not have otherwise,” she said. “The more areas around transit are developed, the more people will come to communities to visit those communities, those cultural centers, those green spaces.”

In the community around the 95th Red Line station, where Perry recently bought his building, 220 lots near transit are vacant. The area around the bustling station should be clean and well kept, but vacant lots are often used for illegal dumping and can spur violence, said Perry, a community advocate who helped survey lots for the study with a group of formerly imprisoned people.

Perry said he grew up in Washington Heights near the Red Line and was sentenced to 25 years in prison in 1989 after dealing drugs. Out of prison for more than a decade, he returned to buy a building in the area in an attempt to restore the community he feels he once helped harm.

He plans to turn the building into an ice cream shop and a space for a nonprofit he said he runs. But vacant lots surrounding well-kept homes and businesses can bring down property values, a frustration for longtime homeowners in the area, he said.

“You’re going to the store you’ve got a number of vacant lots, you go to transit you’ve got a number of vacant lots,” he said. “All of that is just an eyesore for a community, when you can look at communities around the city of Chicago that don’t have that kind of environment.”

But there could be a silver lining. The city has focused on development in the area around the 95th Street station, and while repurposing vacant lots will not be without challenges, they could present an opportunity, said Hubert Morgan with the Endeleo Institute, which also worked on the study.

“The slate is clean,” he said. “You can look at it positively in that regards. The slate is clean for opportunities for revitalizing a corridor that has the most people embarking and disembarking at a train station.”

More in Transportation

News | Protesters blocked highway entering O’Hare airport

Transportation | Illinois Senate OK’s legislation over CTA Yellow Line crash

Daily Southtown | Funds to boost Will County plan for truck route between I-57, Illinois 394

Transportation | Congress summons Boeing’s CEO to testify on its jetliner safety following new whistleblower charges

Trending nationally.

• Virginia becomes first Southern state to abolish child marriage
• NASA confirms space junk that hit Florida home came from space station
• California health workers may face cuts in hours, benefits under $25 wage law
• The biggest Key Bridge section yet was pulled from the Patapsco River this weekend. Here’s how.
• The Saharan dust coating Europe may actually help weaken hurricanes this season

Protesters blocked highway entering O’Hare airport

P rotesters gathered with signs in support of Palestinians as part of a multicity “economic blockade” opposing the war in Gaza blocked inbound traffic to Chicago O’Hare International Airport Monday morning.

The airport announced the delay on X, formerly known as Twitter, and encouraged travelers to consider different methods of travel including the CTA Blue Line.

The post said the protest on I-190 might have a substantial delay on incoming traffic. Protesters also reportedly shut down roads in Oakland, California, and San Antonio, Texas.

Around 9:25 a.m., the Chicago Department of Aviation said inbound traffic heading toward O’Hare was resuming. The airport’s X account warned travelers to allow extra time to get to the airport.

An earlier alert from Total Traffic said all outbound lanes on the Kennedy Expressway between Bessie Coleman Drive and O’Hare were blocked starting around 8:23 a.m.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued a statement Monday about the protest.

“I support the idea that people should express their First Amendment rights and protest if they would like to,” Pritzker said. “I do not think that they should be disruptive of the traffic of people trying to get from one place to another … law enforcement ought to make sure that those byways and highways are open for people and still be respectful of those protests.”

According to a website designed for the April 15 protest, the action aimed to “identify and blockade major choke points in the economy, focusing on points of production and circulation.”

Video posted on social media showed travelers walking on the sides of the highway toward the airport.

Chicago police said officers responded to the protest and “multiple people” were taken into custody, but they did not have a specific number early Monday afternoon.

©2024 Chicago Tribune. Visit chicagotribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

The following navigation utilizes arrow, enter, escape, and space bar key commands. Left and right arrows move through main tier links and expand / close menus in sub tiers. Up and Down arrows will open main tier menus and toggle through sub tier links. Enter and space open menus and escape closes them as well. Tab will move on to the next part of the site rather than go through menu items.

Midway Orange Line

Station information.

Connections:

• Chicago-Midway International Airport
• CTA Buses #54B, #55, #55A, #55N, #59, #62H, #63, #165, also some #N62 buses (overnight only)
• Pace Buses #379, #382, #383, #384, #385, #386, #390 (UPS)
• River Valley Metro service to Manteno, IL 

New rider?  Learn more about how easy it is to get in and out of town by  using CTA to get to Chicago airports .

Service alerts

Updated schedules are in effect for all 'L' lines. Visit transitchicago.com for schedules.

Estimated arrivals