South Shore Line study on track for Senate

INDIANAPOLIS | The future of the South Shore Line and its governing board would be the topic of a General Assembly study this summer under legislation approved Tuesday by the Indiana House.

Metra trains getting defibrillators

CHICAGO | Metra is installing hundreds of portable, easy-to-use defibrillators on all of its trains, becoming only the second major transit system in the country to make the lifesaving machines available on trains, officials said Thursday.

Skyway ramp to Dan Ryan reopens

CHICAGO | All lanes of the ramp from the Chicago Skyway to the Dan Ryan Expressway reopened as planned at 5 a.m. Wednesday after damage to a bridge there forced their closure more than 24 hours earlier.

Skyway ramp to Dan Ryan expected open Wednesday

CHICAGO | All lanes on the Dan Ryan Expressway at the ramp for the inbound Chicago Skyway were expected open at 5 a.m. Wednesday after the installation of shoring towers and the removal of portions of a concrete bridge after they were damaged Tuesday.

Metra engineer retires after 42 years

Metra engineer Hector Feliciano is greeted by well-wishers after piloting a train for the final time upon arrival at the Chicago Street Station in Elgin, Ill. Feliciano retired after 42 years of service.

Metra engineer retires after 42 years of service

Metra engineer Hector Feliciano waves after piloting a train for the final time upon arrival at the Chicago Street Station in Elgin, Ill. Feliciano retired after 42 years of service.

Metra engineer retires after 42 years

ELGIN, Ill. | Train 2231 pulled into the Elgin Depot on July 3 just after 6 p.m., setting off a handful of small dynamite "torpedoes," adding loud bangs to the sounds of its own whistle and a cheering crowd.

NICTD faces NATO showdown

Passengers who travel on South Shore Line commuter trains might have to find alternative transportation during the NATO summit May 20 and 21 at McCormick Place.

Obama shifts G-8 from Chicago to Camp David

Annabel Perez-Juliano, of Chesterton, exits a westbound train Saturday at the McCormick Place NICTD/Metra Station in Chicago. The South Shore, Metra, Amtrak and Canadian National trains all pass under McCormick Place, which was going to host the G-8 and NATO summits. The White House is movin…

Obama shifts G-8 from Chicago to Camp David

Metra South Shore Line train conductor Randy Jackson, of Chesterton, ensures all passengers are on board an eastbound train Saturday during a stop at the McCormick Place NICTD/Metra Station in Chicago. The South Shore, Metra, Amtrak and Canadian National trains all pass under McCormick Place…

NWI commuters, airfields on alert for restrictions caused by NATO summit

The South Shore Line commuter railroad will not make stops at McCormick Place on Saturday or Sunday because of the NATO summit, said John Parsons, planning and marketing director for the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District.

Police: S'ville man used counterfeit bill on South Shore train

A Schererville man was arrested on a South Shore train Friday after allegedly trying to pay for his ticket with counterfeit bills.

Metra cop, 'Top Shot' contestant honors his mentor

Growing up in Chicago, Eric "Iggy" Keyes developed a fascination with guns. But since his mother didn't want her young son to have a BB gun, Keyes had to settle for toy guns, cap guns and the like.

With seniors paying, transit agencies see revenue boost

CHICAGO | Two months after free rides on CTA, Metra and Pace ended, transit agencies are predicting a positive impact on their budgets.

South suburbs hope to learn from Denver in developing new Metra train line

LANSING | South suburban officials who hope to develop a new Metra southeast commuter train line between Chicago and Crete are hoping to learn from the example of Denver, where officials are developing a new system of commuter trains and buses.

City Council agrees to join SE Metra line district

CALUMET CITY | What a difference a week makes.

New al-Qaida threat similar to 2007 Metra incident

CHICAGO | Emerging details about an al-Qaida plot to derail a U.S. train are eerily similar to a 2007 incident involving the Metra Electric Line over the Bishop Ford Freeway on Chicago's Southeast Side.

South suburbs powering forward with airport project

OLYMPIA FIELDS | The Federal Aviation Administration has affirmed the proposed South Suburban Airport will attract flights and the final environmental and engineering study for the airport will commence this year.

Jackson attacks Halvorson's bid for IDOT chief

The most vocal supporter of a proposed south suburban airport near Peotone is publicly opposing a former colleague's apparent bid to be named head of the state's transportation department.

EDITORIAL: Keep South Shore expansion on track

The plan in Illinois to expand the Metra system with a rail spur from the Van Buren Street station in downtown Chicago to Balmoral Park racetrack in Crete doesn't mean South Shore expansion plans should be abandoned.