Tag Archives: CTA

Bond Denied for Man Charged With Murder Near CTA Station

Jennifer Keiper, WLS-AM 890 News

(CHICAGO) Bond has been denied for a Chicago man accused of shooting to death another man outside a CTA Red Line stop on the city’s South Side earlier this week.

Frederick Stewart, 33, is charged with fatally shooting Javontay Tolliver near 55th and South Wentworth on Monday. Stewart was taken into custody after a short chase.

Prosecutors say surveillance video showed Stewart and Tolliver arguing near the turnstiles at the CTA stop and Stewart grabbing Tolliver. The two men left the station when a CTA employee told them to do so. A gunshot was heard a short time later and, according to prosecutors, video shows Stewart with a gun chasing Tolliver into the street and Tolliver then falling to the ground.

Tolliver was shot three times in the chest, back, and head.

The Weekend AJenda – Let’s Play Dress Up (April 20th – 23rd)

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Ray Stagich’s Weather Forecast:

Thursday | Windy with a few clouds from time to time. High 71°F. Winds WSW at 20 to 30 mph.
Friday | Mostly sunny. Highs in the low 50s and lows in the low 40s.
Saturday | Mix of sun and clouds. Highs in the low 50s and lows in the low 40s.
Sunday | Sunshine. Highs in the upper 50s and lows in the upper 30s.

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Man shot to death on CTA Red Line platform on South Side

(CHICAGO) A man was shot to death on a CTA Red Line platform at the Garfield Station early Monday on the South Side, police said.

The 33-year-old was arguing with another male on the platform at 2:39 a.m. in the 200 block of West Garfield Boulevard when the male took out a handgun and fired multiple shots, according to Chicago Police.

The man was shot in the head and chest and taken to Stroger Hospital, where he died, police said. The Cook County medical examiner’s office did not immediately confirm his death.

Red Line trains temporarily bypassed the Garfield Station while police investigated the shooting, but normal service was resuming by 4:41 a.m., according to the CTA.

Signal problems causing major CTA disruptions, delays in Loop

(CHICAGO) Signal problems are causing major CTA service disruptions and delays Friday morning in the Loop.

A signal problem near the Clark/Lake station, first reported at 8:46 a.m., has disrupted or delayed service on the Brown, Pink, Orange, Green and Purple lines, according to service alerts from the CTA.

Pink Line trains are only running from 54th/Cermak to Polk, according to the CTA. Riders are advised to connect with the Blue Line at Racine.

Brown Line service was temporarily halted between Merchandise Mart and the Loop, but was resuming with delays as of 9:45 a.m., the CTA said.

The Green, Orange and Purple lines are also experiencing major delays and limited service capacity, the CTA said. Crews are working to restore service.

© Copyright 2017 Sun-Times Media, LLC. All rights reserved.

Weekend A-Jenda: The Easter Brunch Edition

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Ray Stagich’s Weather Forecast:

Friday | Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High 69F. (cooler near lake) Winds E at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Friday Night | Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then the chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Low 62F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
Saturday | Windy with a few clouds from time to time. High around 80F. Winds SW at 20 to 30 mph.
Saturday night | Some clouds and possibly an isolated thunderstorm after midnight. Low 62F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 30%.
Easter Sunday | Mix of sun and clouds. Highs in the low 70s and lows in the upper 40s.

Sixteen at the Trump Tower

Date:  Easter Sunday
Time: 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Location: 401 N. Wabash Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611

Dine like an American president on the anniversary of the rising of Christ!

Sixteen (on the 16th floor of Trump Tower) is hosting Easter Brunch with the Easter Bunny!

Just as one would expect at a Trump event, be prepared to meet MasterChef Junior Season 5 Contestant Avani.

Prices are as follows:
Adults – $165
Children 5-12 – $50
Price includes one glass of sparkling wine or mimosa; excludes tax and gratuity.


 

Bunny Brunch at Lamb’s Farm

Date:  Friday, April 14 and Saturday, April 15
Time: Seatings at 9:00 a.m., 10:30 p.m. and 12:00 p.m.
Location: Libertyville

From the website: Join us for a delicious buffet at the Magnolia Cafe & Bakery then take a walk over to the Bunny Patch! At the Bunny Patch kids can enjoy Spring crafts, activities and get a photo with the Easter bunny! Some of our Farmyard friends will also be available for petting and learning.

The price for all is $16.95, however, children 23-months and younger are only $7.95 with Bunny activities.

Call the Magnolia Cafe & Bakery for reservations at 847-362-5050.


 

Cog Hill Presents Easter Sunday Brunch

Date:  Easter Sunday
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Location: Cog Hill Golf Course, Lemont

It’s always a beautiful day when dining at Cog Hill. With a display of more than 25 breakfast, lunch and other items, you will surely leave satisfied after a long Lenten season.

The prices are as follows:
Adults – $32.95
Children under 10 – $12.95
Children under six years of age are complimentary.


 

Easter Sunday Brunch at Drury Lane

Date:  Easter Sunday
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Location: Oakbrook Terrace

Celebrate Easter Sunday with food and fun for the entire family! Our delicious brunch is perfect for all ages, featuring an elaborate buffet featuring over seven stations, plus mimosas and bellinis for the adults.

Prices are as follows:
Adults – $50
Children 6 to 12 – $15
Children 3 to 5 – $10
Children 2 and Under – FREE!


 

Easter Brunch at The Onion Pub

Date:  Easter Sunday
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Lake Barrington

Pork Loin, Cod, and Chicken Stir Fry are just some of the non-traditional items you can splurge on at this Easter brunch.

Reservations are recommended, and a full menu can be found here.

Prices are as follows:
Adults – $37.95
Children 5 to 12 – $14.95
Children 4 & under – FREE!


 

Thunderbird Bar & Grill

Date:  Easter Sunday
Time: Opens at 11:00 a.m.
Location: St. Germain, Wisconsin

Ray Stevens recommends this locale to spend your Easter brunch. Break the 40-day-abstinence by drinking your brunch!


 

Kit Kat Lounge & Supper Club Easter Brunch

Date:  Easter Sunday
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Lakeview, Chicago

This looks like maybe the most fun Easter brunch out there! Half price Stoli martinis, pink champagne, a four-course meal, and live performances!

The price? Only $39.95 for brunch and a show. However, it is adult only!

 


Traffic Restrictions & Road Projects

Various roadwork projects began on Monday, April 10 in the metro, and will continue long term in some areas.

Lane closures along U.S. 30 will happen both during the day and night in both directions from Lincoln Station Drive to 143rd Street in Plainfield, Aurora and Oswego for resurfacing. This project has an expected end date of late summer 2017.

Nightly lane closures on the Bishop Ford Freeway (Interstate 94) between I-57 and Martin Luther King Drive will happen during the overnight hours in Chicago for resurfacing. Both the inbound and outbound sides will be affected through the end of the spring season.

Temporary lane closures in Des Plaines along Wolf Road from Rand Road (U.S. 12) to Golf Road (Illinois 58will take place during off-peak travel hours between 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with has an anticipation completion date during this spring.

Finally, intersection improvement on Butterfield Road in Aurora at Raddant Road including widening, drainage improvements and new traffic signal installation. The overall project is expected to be completed in Fall 2017.

 

CTA Alerts and Route Changes

BLUE LINE

Apr 14 – 15
11:30pm Fri to 4am Sat
Boarding Change, Delays Between Division and California
How does this affect my trip?
Board/exit all trains on the Forest Park-bound platform at the Damen and Western (O’Hare branch) stations.
Trains in both directions will operate on the same track between Division and California, resulting in minor delays.
Allow extra travel time.
Why is service being changed?
We are performing track maintenance to ensure that trains continue to operate safely along the Blue Line.
Bus Routes
The bus reroutes listed below are short-term reroutes during this weekend or long-term reroutes beginning this weekend. For a full list of bus reroutes currently in place, please visit the Bus Alerts page.

#22 Clark Temporary Reroute
9am, Thu, Apr 13 to 4pm, Sat, May 13 or completion
How does this affect my trip?
Southbound buses will operate via Clark, Polk, and Dearborn, ending their trips at Dearborn/Polk.
Northbound buses will begin their trips at Dearborn/Polk.
Why is service being changed?
Buses are being rerouted due to street construction on Clark between Polk and Harrison.
#36 Broadway Temporary Reroute
Sat, Apr 15
7pm to 11:30pm or completion
How does this affect my trip?
Southbound buses will operate via State, Chicago, Clark, and Erie, then resume their normal route on State.
Northbound buses will operate via State, Huron, Dearborn, and Chicago, then resume their normal route on State.
Allow extra travel time.
Why is service being changed?
Buses are rerouted due to the Holy Name Cathedral Easter Vigil Mass.

CTA expanding digital advertising, service info at stations

(CHICAGO) The Chicago Transit Authority plans to add more digital advertising displays across the rail system over the next two years.

The 130 new digital advertising displays will provide riders with service alerts and information as they generate revenue for the agency, the CTA said.

In addition to the new screens, 159 of the 283 existing displays will get upgraded, the CTA said. One new feature will be dedicated space for CTA service information, including train arrival times. The new signs come at no cost to the CTA.

Installation is expected to begin this summer and continue through 2018, the agency said. Advertising on the buses, trains and at stations generated more than $27 million for the CTA in 2016.

Weekend A-Jenda: Shamrock Shuffin’ to the Safehouse (March 30th – April 2nd, 2017)

Click Here for Weekend Traffic Projects
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Kids Day at the Chicago Bulls Game

Date:  Saturday, April 1st
Time: 4:00 p.m.
Location: United Center

The Chicago Bulls play Atlanta for an afternoon game on Saturday, April 1st. Join Henry!

Here is how to get tickets!


 

SafeHouse Chicago’s Grand Opening

Date:  Thursday, March 30th, 2017
Time: Open from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. (However, you need a secret ticket to get in between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. – after 8:00 p.m., feel free to conduct espionage as you will)
Location: 60 E. Ontario, River North Neighborhood, Chicago

The popular 50-year-old Milwaukee location set up shop in the second city.
In March 2017, the Safehouse Chicago, an eclectic spy-themed entertainment restaurant, opened for business.
Jen went undercover as an informant to grab intel to share with all of the spies thinking about visiting this secret espionage headquarters.


 

2017 Shamrock Shuffle 8k

Date:  Sunday, April 2nd, 2017
Time: 6:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Location: Grant Park

Traffic Implications: From the official website – No Parking Zones along the course will be enforced beginning at 6 a.m. on Sunday, April 2, 2017.

Please look for No Parking signs in your area for full details.

Street closures along the route will occur between 8 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. The roads in Grant Park will be closed longer.

City streets will re-open promptly as the final runners pass through (at a 15-minute mile pace).

The Chicago Police Department will be responsible for closing and re-opening streets, they will do so in a manner ensuring runner and spectator safety.

Please follow their instructions when approaching streets on the course.

Do NOT attempt to block the race course at any time.

Full List of Street Closures:
Columbus Dr. from Roosevelt Rd. to Grand Ave.
Grand Ave. from Columbus Dr. to State St.
State St. from Grand Ave. to Jackson Blvd.
Jackson Blvd. from State St. to La Salle St.
La Salle St. from Jackson Blvd. to Randolph St.
Randolph St. from La Salle St. to Franklin St.
Franklin St. from Randolph St. to Harrison St.
Harrison St. from Franklin St. to Michigan Ave.
S. Michigan Ave. (northbound lanes) from Harrison St. to Roosevelt Rd.
Roosevelt Rd. (westbound lanes) from Michigan Ave. to Columbus Dr.
*No parking will be allowed on these streets starting at 6 a.m. on Sunday, April 2. Vehicles that are not removed from the street by that time will be ticketed and towed.


 

Baconfest Chicago

Date:  Friday, March 31st & Saturday, April 1st
Time: Various
Location: UIC Forum

The Baconfest Manifesto states that Baconfest USA is in the business of creating bacon-related memories. Although the menu changes from the lunch session to the dinner session, the thing that remains the same is an abundant supply of local restaurants featuring their bacon-oriented dishes.

Tickets are still available for all sessions here.


 

Kris Kristofferson

Date:  Sunday, April 2nd
Time: 8:00 p.m.
Location: City Winery

True WLS fans can appreciate a live rendition of “Ride Like the Wind,” and there’s a small chance that dream can be made true this weekend. Visit the City Winery website to find our how to get in.


Peter Frampton

Date:  Saturday, April 1st
Time: 8:00 p.m.
Location: North Shore Center for the Performing Arts

Tickets and VIP packages are still available at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts website!


Traffic Restrictions & Road Projects

Jane Addams Construction Local road lane closures started at the Roselle Road Interchange on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90) in Schaumburg. These will continue through the summer for lighting, traffic signal, shoulder and landscaping work. Currently, one right lane in both directions is closed on Roselle Road between Hillcrest Boulevard and Central Avenue.

Bridge Repair Project on 115th Street over the Bishop Ford will be reduced to one lane in each direction, per the Illinois Department of Transportation. Nightly lane closures also will be required on the Bishop Ford under the 115th Street bridge, as needed.

 

 

CTA and Public Transit Weekend Alerts

BLUE, BROWN, RED LINES 

Sun, Apr 2

More Frequent Rail Service, Increased Capacity for 2017 Shamrock Shuffle

How does this affect my trip?
Red Line: Trains will operate from Howard every 7-8 minutes from 7am to 9:30am, and every 7-8 minutes from 95th/Dan Ryan from 8am to 9:45am.

Blue Line: Longer trains will operate in both directions between O’Hare and Forest Park from 6am to 1pm.

Brown Line: Longer trains will operate in both directions between Kimball and the Loop from 5am to 1pm.

Why is service being changed?
Added service is being provided for the convenience of customers attending the 2017 Shamrock Shuffle.

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Rahm Emanuel set to break ground on new CTA rail car factory

(CHICAGO) The city will break ground Thursday afternoon on a $100 million factory that will churn out new rail cars for the CTA on the Southeast Side.

The new manufacturing plant at 13535 S. Torrence Ave. will create more than 300 skilled factory and new construction jobs, according to a statement from Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s office.

Once complete, the first order of 400 new, 7000-series rail cars will mark the first time in more than 50 years that CTA cars have been built in the city, officials said. The new cars will replace the oldest ones currently running, which date back to the 1980s.

In a contract awarded last year, the CTA ordered a total of 846 new rail cars from CRRC Sifang America, which will manage the plant.

When the new vehicles are in service, the CTA will have one of the youngest fleets of any U.S. transit agency, according to the mayor’s office, which hasn’t offered a timeline for when the plant will be complete.

CTA construction to cause lane closure on Dan Ryan

(CHICAGO) Starting this week, one inbound lane will close on the Dan Ryan Expressway for several months to make way for construction on the CTA Red Line’s 95th/Dan Ryan train station and bus terminal.

Construction for the CTA’s 95th Street Terminal Improvement Project requires an extended closure of the left inbound lane where I-57 merges into the Dan Ryan, just north of 95th Street, according to a statement from the CTA. The lane closure will begin Saturday, weather permitting, and last until fall 2017.

The closure, which was also in effect in fall 2016, could cause delays in the area, the transit agency said. Traffic monitoring devices and changeable message signs will be installed along northbound I-57 and Illinois State Police will be adding extra patrols in the area, to enforce work zone speed limits, among other things. Drivers are urged to allow extra time for trips in the area and pay close attention to flaggers and signs in the work zones.

Workers will be completing construction on the new facility’s foundations, and working on what will be two CTA terminal buildings – one north and one south of 95th Street – that will replace the transit agency’s existing 95th Street bus and rail facility, the CTA said.

For more information on the project, visit: http://www.transitchicago.com/95thTerminal/.

CTA plans 70th Anniversary Bash

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Transit Authority is making plans for its 70th birthday.

The authority is marking its October anniversary throughout 2017. Festivities will include tours, promotions, contests and a new Instagram account to showcase rarely seen archived photos. CTA’s fleet of vintage trains and buses will also be unveiled.

CTA buses, streetcars and trains began operating in Chicago under the new organization in 1947. At the time, bread cost 13 cents, gas was just a few pennies more and some new cars sold for as little as $1,300.

Several private companies operated Chicago’s elevated train, streetcar and bus lines before 1945. That was the year lawmakers created the CTA.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel says the transit authority is not only a celebrated part of the city’s past but key to its future success.

Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Damen entrance to IMD Blue Line station closed for construction

(CHICAGO) The Damen Avenue entrance to the Illinois Medical District CTA Blue Line station will be closed for construction for three months.

The closure began Monday and will last until mid-May, according to a statement from the CTA. The station will remain open during the construction and customers will be able to access it via the main entrance on Ogden or the auxiliary entrance on Paulina.

Customers that access the station from the No. 50 Damen bus route can transfer to the No 7 Harrison or No. 126 Jackson buses as alternatives to reach the Paulina entrance, the CTA said.

The station reconstruction project will eventually require the closure of additional entrances before it is finished, according to the CTA. The project will involve the complete reconstruction of the main stationhouse and the addition of an elevator to make it accessible for customers with disabilities.

Irving Park, Addison CTA stations to get new artwork

(CHICAGO) The Irving Park and Addison CTA Blue Line stations on the city’s Northwest Side are the latest to get approved for new works of public art.

Both stations recently underwent significant renovation and upgrades as part of a revitalization project begun in 2014 to modernize the O’Hare branch of the Blue Line, The Chicago Transit Authority said.

Chicago-based artist Dan Devening was selected as the artist for the Irving Park station, 4131 W. Irving Park Road, the CTA said. Italian artist Francesco Simeti was selected for the Addison stop, 3622 W. Addison St. The artists were chosen from nearly 350 proposals to the agency.

The CTA said it will host public meetings with the artists to get input from the community, which will help the artists create their work at the station. The meetings will be announced in the coming months.

The work at both stations, estimated to cost $200,000, will be paid for with Federal Transit Enhancement grants from the Federal Transit Administration.

No Red Line trains on South Side due to medical emergency

(CHICAGO) CTA Red Line Service is suspended Thursday morning on the South Side due to a medical emergency on the tracks.

Service was suspended between Garfield and 95th at 8:20 a.m., according to the CTA. Trains are only running between Howard and Garfield.

Shuttle buses are available to provide service through the affected area, according to the transit agency. Customers can also use the No. 29 State bus as an alternate.

Details about the medical emergency on the tracks weren’t immediately available.

© Copyright 2016 Sun-Times Media, LLC. All rights reserved.

CTA Green, Pink Line service suspended because of man on tracks

(CHICAGO) CTA Green and Pink Line service was halted early Tuesday because of an unauthorized man on the tracks in the West Loop.

Police were called about 2:30 a.m. for reports of the man running back and forth on the tracks between Morgan and Carpenter, according to Chicago Police. The CTA has cut power to the tracks and police negotiators were on the scene trying to get the man to come down.

The CTA announced shortly after 4 a.m. that Green Line service was suspended between the Pulaski and Clark/Lake stations. Pink Line trains were only running to Polk and then connecting with the Blue Line at Racine. Shuttle buses are available for affected riders.

Makeover of five CTA Blue Line stations complete

(CHICAGO) Mayor Rahm Emanuel showed off the newly renovated Addison Blue Line station Monday and reiterated his pledge to shave 10 minutes off the commute between downtown and O’Hare Airport by the time additional work on the line is completed in 2018.

Addison was one of five CTA Blue Line stations to get facelifts that included new lighting, paint, platform canopies and benches, the Chicago Sun-Times is reporting. An elevator was also installed at Addison for customers with disabilities. The Irving Park, Montrose, Harlem and Cumberland stations also received makeovers.

The Jefferson Park, Grand, Division, Chicago and Belmont stations are slated for improvement over the next several years, although start dates are yet to be finalized.

The renovations are part of a $507 million Blue Line reconstruction project that includes key track repairs to a stretch of century-old rails between the Logan Square and Damen stops.

The track improvements, along with yet-to-be-completed signal upgrades, will result in big time saving for riders, Emanuel said.

“We’re going to take about 10 minutes off the ride between the airport and downtown and downtown and the airport,” he said.

The trip when the project was announced in 2013 averaged between 45 and 50 minutes.

The Blue Line is ridden about 80,000 times each weekday between Grand and O’Hare. The line’s ridership has increased 25 percent over the past five years, outpacing the growth of the rail system as a whole, CTA President Dorval Carter said at a news conference with the mayor and several aldermen held at the Addison station.

Ald. John Arena (45th) expressed gratitude to CTA workers who put themselves in danger to get the job done.

“We did have an accident here,” he said. “Pearl Hendrix was a CTA worker who, in a tragic accident, lost her life here at this station, and it just illustrates they do this work a lot of time without the acknowledgment of the danger that they’re working on an active train line to keep this up and running for the city without full closures.”

Hendrix, 40, was working as a flagman when she was electrocuted in June after falling on the tracks near the Addison platform.

© Copyright 2016 Sun-Times Media, LLC. All rights reserved.

Officials announce $75M for Chicago train extension

(CHICAGO) Chicago Transit Authority officials have approved a capital plan that includes $75 million in funding for an extension of a major train line.

It’s the next step in the $2.3 billion expansion of the Red Line. City officials want to expand the line that includes stops in Chinatown and the home of the White Sox from 95th Street to 130th Street, including four new rail stations.

The $75 million investment means the city can move forward with initial engineering and analysis needed to apply for $1 billion in federal funds. City officials say the money will be funded by CTA bonds.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced the plans Sunday.

The city is seeking public input on plans until Wednesday. Construction on the 5.3-mile extension isn’t expected to begin until 2022.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

CTA, Metra plans extra service for Mag Mile Festival of Lights

(CHICAGO) Additional bus and train service will be provided for the Magnificent Mile Festival of Lights this weekend.

On Saturday, the Chicago Transit Authority will operate longer trains on the Blue, Brown, Orange and Pink Lines from 3 p.m. until 9 p.m., according to a statement from CTA. Additional trains will run from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m. on the CTA Red Line.

Several buses will be redounded due to street closures for the festival, which include No. 3 King Drive, No. 4 Cottage Grove, No. 6 Jackson Park Express, No. 22 Clark, No. 36 Broadway, No. 66 Chicago, No. 70, Division, No. 146 Inner Dr./Michigan Express, No. 147 Outer Drive Express and No. 151 Sheridan.

Metra will add more seating capacity and extra service will be provided on the BNSF, Union Pacific Northwest and West lines, according to a statement from Metra.

© Copyright 2016 Sun-Times Media, LLC. All rights reserved.

Person in wheelchair falls onto Red Line tracks in the Loop

A male was taken to the hospital early Wednesday after he fell onto the CTA Red Line tracks in the Loop. | NVP News

(CHICAGO) A person in a wheelchair was injured early Wednesday after they fell onto the tracks at a CTA Red Line station in the Loop.

The male, whose age wasn’t known, fell onto the tracks about 3 a.m. at the Lake Station, 188 N. State St., authorities said.

He was not struck by a train and did not make contact with the third rail.

The male was taken in taken for observation to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, according to Chicago Police. He was listed in good condition.

Additional information was not immediately available.

Work starts Tuesday on new bridge from Jane Addams to Cumberland

(CHICAGO) Construction will start Tuesday on a new flyover bridge connecting the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway to Cumberland Avenue on the Northwest Side.

The bridge will connect eastbound I-90 to Cumberland, spanning over eastbound I-190 and the CTA Blue Line tracks, according to a statement from the Illinois Department of Transportation. Shoulder closures will begin Tuesday on I-190 east of the Des Plaines River and overnight lane closures will be implemented as needed.

The project is part of ongoing improvements to I-90 and I-190 between Cumberland and O’Hare International Airport, IDOT said. The new flyover bridge is expected to be finished by fall 2018.

CTA breaks record with 1.1 million L riders for Cubs parade

CTA photo

(CHICAGO) More than 1.1 million Cubs fans took CTA trains took get to the World Series parade and rally last week, setting a single-day record for L passengers.

The new high rail mark of 1,146,349 riders beat the one set during Game 3 of the World Series, when 918,723 fans rode CTA trains to Wrigley Field, the transit agency said Friday.

A total of of 1,945,250 people took buses and trains on Nov. 5, making it the second-highest ridership in history, officials said. It trails only to the 2 million people who rode the CTA to the downtown Fourth of July celebration in 2008, and just eked out the 1,938,738 riders for Barack Obama’s presidential acceptance speech the same year.

The average weekday sees about 1.6 million rides, with more than a third of those coming on the train. Seven of the 10 highest rail ridership days have come during the Cubs’ playoff runs over the last two years.

“The last few weeks have been historic, as all of Chicago has come together to celebrate a sports championship that’s touched every corner of the city,” CTA President Dorval R. Carter Jr. said in a statement. “We’re pleased to be able to work together with all the city agencies to help Chicago celebrate such an historic occasion.”

Chicago buses, trains redecorated to celebrate Cubs’ victory

(CHICAGO) Chicago’s celebration of the Cubs’ World Series victory is continuing with the decking out of buses and trains with the team’s logo and colors.

On Monday, the buses serving the line that passes Wrigley Field will feature the blue “W” and a Cubs logo down the side. Four train cars on the Red Line, which also serves the ballpark, will get the same treatment.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel said in a statement he wants to “further showcase our city” by celebrating with our residents and giving CTA riders the chance to continue savoring the victory.

The train and the buses will sport Cubs colors for a week.

The Cubs last week defeated the Cleveland Indians in seven games for their first World Series title in 108 years.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Extra CTA service, street closures and parking for Cubs’ parade

(CHICAGO) Residents should expect street closures and parking restrictions and allow extra CTA service for the Chicago Cubs’ 2016 World Series victory  parade and rally Friday morning.

The parade will leave Wrigley Field at 10 a.m. and travel along Michigan Avenue between Oak Street and Ohio Street and then along Columbus Drive between Monroe Street and Balboa Avenue, the CTA said. The rally will start at 12 p.m. at Lower Hutchinson Field in Grant Park.

Fans and residents will be able to watch the celebration on Addison Street from Sheffield to Pine Grove, North Michigan Avenue from Oak Street to Ohio Street and Columbus Drive from Monroe Street to Balboa Avenue.

Following the morning rush period, CTA will provide extra service on rail lines through midday. Metra riders are encouraged to connect to CTA buses for the parade and rally.

Multiple CTA bus routes will be detoured in the downtown area due to street closures due to the event, the CTA said. Bikes will not be allowed on CTA trains from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Additionally, the North Parking Garage at Soldier Field has reduced its parking rate from $22 to $15 for up to 8 hours on Friday. The garage opens at 6 a.m.

Street closures around Wrigley Field at Clark Street from Grace Street to Newport Avenue and Addision Street from Racine to Lake Shore Drive are expected to begin at 5 a.m. and reopen by noon, according to the office of Emergency Management and Communications. Downtown street closures and parking restrictions on Michigan Avenue between Lake Shore Drive and Wacker may begin at 10 a.m. and reopen by 1 p.m.

Extra weekend CTA service planned for World Series

(CHICAGO) Additional CTA train and bus service will be provided this weekend for the World Series games at Wrigley Field.

More frequent Red Line trains will run start running before the scheduled 7:08 p.m. first pitch as the Cubs host the Indians for games 3, 4 and 5 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the transit agency said. The extra service will last into the early morning hours.

Also, Yellow Line trains between Howard and Skokie will run until 2 a.m., the CTA said.

Additional buses on the No. 80 Irving Park and the No. 152 Addison will be available three hours before the game time through an hour after it ends. Officials also recommend the No. 8 Halsted and No. 22 Clark routes to get to the game.

Wrigleyville Parking Expected to Be Upwards of $300

By Jen DeSalvo, The John Howell and Ray Stevens Morning Show

DNAinfo Chicago is reporting that fans heading to the World Series games in Wrigleyville may be paying upwards of $300 to park! Keeping in mind that there is no commercial parking lot like there is at Soldier Field, the United Center or Guaranteed Rate Field (reminder: that’s the new name of where the White Sox play), it is fairly difficult to find any parking, let alone cheap parking.

Most street parking in Lakeview falls under permit parking, and without a 383 pass, a car will be ticketed and towed. Residents oftentimes have an extra parking space which they are willing to rent to an out-of-town Cubs fan, but those spaces come at a premium.

The best options come from the city’s reliable public transit systems such as the CTA and Metra. Information directly from those agencies can be found below.

Source: Cubs Fans: Be Prepared To Shell Out Up To $300 For World Series Parking – Wrigleyville – DNAinfo Chicago

Metra

From Metrarail.com

World Series Bound… Destination Wrigleyville!

Chicago Cubs fans, whether you are lucky enough to have tickets to the weekend games or just want to enjoy the experience around the ballpark, take Metra and CTA and avoid the traffic and cost of parking.  Buy tickets right from your smartphone too, with the Ventra App, including the Saturday and Sunday unlimited ride $8 Weekend Pass.   Please remember that all departing times from the city will leave on regular scheduled service, so plan accordingly. 

Directions to Wrigley Field from Chicago Union Station:

  • Walk six blocks east to the CTA Red Line (State Street Subway). Take Red Line trains going north to the Addison stop, just steps from the ballpark, or
  • Board a CTA bus to the CTA Red Line (State Street Subway): No. 1 Bronzeville/Union Station or No. 151 Sheridan at the Union Station Transit Center, located along Jackson Blvd. between Canal Street and Clinton Street just south of Union Station. Take Red Line train going north to the Addison stop.

Directions to Wrigley Field from Ogilvie Transportation Center:

  • Walk six blocks east to the CTA Red Line (State Street Subway). Take the Red Line north to Addison, or
  • Board a CTA bus to the CTA Red Line (State Street Subway): No. 20 Madison, No. 56 Milwaukee or No. J14 Jeffery Jump to connect to the State Street Subway. Take the Red Line north to Addison.

Directions to Wrigley Field from Millennium and Van Buren Street Stations:

  • Walk two blocks west to State Street to take the Red Line to Addison.  

Directions to Wrigley Field from Metra’s UP Northwest Irving Park Station:

  • Board CTA bus No. 80 Irving Park to Clark Street.

Directions to Wrigley Field from Metra’s Milwaukee North Grayland Station:

  • Walk south on Kilbourn Avenue to Addison Street. Take CTA bus No. 152 Addison east to the ballpark.

Directions to Wrigley Field from Metra’s UP North Line Davis Street Station:

  • Walk one block east to the CTA Davis Station. Board a Howard-bound Purple Line train to Howard and then transfer to a 95th-bound Red Line train to Addison.

Directions to Wrigley Field from Metra’s Rock Island Line:

  • Get off at the 35th Street/”Lou” Jones Station. Walk to the CTA Red Line and take the train going north to the Addison stop.

For additional schedule information, contact Metra Passenger Services at 312-322-6777 or call the RTA Travel Information Center at 836-7000.

CTA Options

Trains

Red Line
The ballpark is just a half block west of the Addison stop on the CTA Red Line.

To get to the Addison stop from the south (including downtown), take a Red Line train toward Howard. From the north, take a Red Line train toward 95th.

The ballpark is also just a couple of blocks south of the Sheridan stop on the CTA Red Line.

Purple Line Express

Before weekday night games, rather than run express from Howard to Belmont, regular Loop-bound Purple Line Express trains will make an additional stop at Sheridan.

Linden-bound Purple Line Express trains will not make special stops at Sheridan. Purple Line Express service operates only during weekday rush periods. For service back north after the game, use the Red Line from Addison or Sheridan (where you can transfer to Purple Line local service and Yellow Line trains at Howard).

Buses

You can also use CTA bus routes #8 Halsted, #22 Clark or #152 Addison(connects to the Brown and Blue lines) to get to, or within a few blocks of, Wrigley Field.