Gov. Quinn heads to Brazil, the state unemployment rate falls, and other news.
Extra Extra: Illinois Unemployment Rate Falls
Blue Line Service Disrupted Due to Bomb Threat
Expect delays if your travels include the Jackson Blue Line stop.
Clark/Lake Escalator: From Hot Mess to All Better
So much about a September timetable to fix the Clark/Lake Blue Line escalator. Use it with abandon, people.
Clark/Lake Escalator: From Inconvenient to Hot Mess
CTA is waiting for parts to fix the fercockt escalator at Clark/Lake. Really, that's what they told us.
Man Struck and Killed by Blue Line Train
At 8:30 p.m. last night, a southbound CTA Blue Line train struck and killed a man at the Chicago Blue Line stop. Blue Line service between Damen and LaSalle was on hold until about 10:25 p.m., when service returned to normal on the Blue Line tracks.
Another Day, Another CTA Rail Fire
Northbound service on the CTA's Evanston Purple line was halted briefly this morning when a small track fire broke out near the Main Street station. the fire broke out at 7:15 a.m. and was put out by Evanston firefighters by 7:40. CTA had shuttle buses running north from the Howard station in Chicago to the end of the Purple Line at Linden.
CTA Construction May Cause Delays This Week
The CTA has announced that there could be "minor" delays this week on the Blue, Brown, and Red Lines due to maintenance and repair work. As a result, the CTA is advising that riders allow for extra travel time when using any of the aforementioned train lines.
Man Hit, Killed By Blue Line Train
A man apparently committed suicide this morning, throwing himself in front of a Blue Line train, killing him and shutting down Blue Line service during morning rush hour. The incident occurred around 8 a.m. at the Belmont Blue Line stop. As a result, Blue Line service was shut down and shuttle buses transported passengers between the California and Montrose stops. Blue Line service was restored by 10:30 a.m.
Oak Park Entertains CTA Expansion Idea
With CTA expansion a recurring topic across the area, now it's Oak Park's turn to mull if they'd welcome a Blue Line expansion.
Blue Line Delays
We got some tips from readers of major delays on the Blue Line. The Trib is reporting a person was struck by a train and killed this afternoon at the Monroe station, leading to trains operating on a single track between Grand and Racine while bypassing the Monroe stop altogether.
CTA Blue Line Work Moves South
The weekend is upon us which means it's time to get ready for the disruption of Blue Line service from the Loop to the Division stop, right? Not so fast! According to the CTA Tattler, work on that part of the Blue Line is done. The work now shifts to the Loop and South/West as the CTA continues to replace tracks to eliminate slow zones. The CTA claims that the work on this segment of the Blue Line should be completed by the end of the year and shuttle buses will connect passengers between the Clark & Lake and UIC/Halsted stop, which means no Blue Line in the Loop on weekends, starting tonight at 10:00 p.m.
Work Continues on the Blue Line
Service on the Blue Line has been suspended until Monday between the Western/Milwaukee station and downtown’s Washington stop. Shuttles are running to move passengers until Monday at 4 a.m. when the route will open again.
Arrest Made In Bucktown Rapes
A man accused of two rapes in the Bucktown neighborhood has been arrested. Damario McNeil, 31, of Lawndale, was arrested and charged with one count of attempt first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated criminal assault and two counts of aggravated kidnapping and one count of armed robbery. The first rape occurred in February in the 2300 block of W. Moffat, very close to the Western/Milwaukee Blue Line stop. The second assault happened just a few weeks ago, a bit further from the same Blue Line stop but still in the vicinity, in the 2000 block of W. Charleston. Police think McNeil could be linked to at least two other assaults, another in February close to the Western/Milwaukee Blue Line stop and one last September close to the Damen/North Blue Line stop. [Chicago Breaking News]
Nine Hurt When Car Hits CTA Train
Nine people were hurt, none seriously, early this morning after a multiple car accident on the Eisenhower Expressway included one car jumping a barrier and colliding with a CTA Blue Line train. The accident happened after 4 a.m. this morning near Central Avenue. Seven passengers on the train were transported to a hospital in good-to-fair condition and two people from one of the cars involved were also treated for minor injuries. Full service to the Blue Line was restored around 7:30 a.m. this morning. [Sun-Times]
Extra, Extra
- As the Tribune Company works at reorganizing in the wake of their bankruptcy filing, Sam Zell could find himself now longer in control.
- An interesting Chicago-centric take on Obama's speech in Cairo.
- Beware the Blue Line: delays and boarding changes have now made the move to mid-week.
Your Weekly Blue Line Reminder
By now, you should be used to this, Blue Line riders. But just in case you're not, yes, the Blue Line between Western/Milwaukee and Clark/Lake will be shut down from 10 p.m. tonight until 4 a.m. Monday. Hope you like shuttle buses.
Another Weekend, Another CTA Clusterf*ck
Another beautiful spring weekend, another weekend of CTA work. Not only will the Blue Line be shut down between Clark/Lake and Western/Milwaukee (again) and served by shuttle buses, but the Red Line will be rerouted along elevated tracks for the stretch between Fullerton and Cermak/Chinatown. Well, that makes sense, because there's nothing going on this weekend. Check out the CTA's Alerts page for full details. [via CTA Tattler]
Blue Line Shut Again This Weekend
Talk about inconvenience. With the holiday weekend meaning lots of travelers in and out of O'Hare, it seems like the perfect time to shut down a stretch of the Blue Line. Work on the slow zones - you know, the ones the CTA allegedly eliminated - continues this weekend. The segment of the Blue Line from Western/Milwaukee to Clark/Lake will be shut down and, instead, shuttle buses will be used to transport happy travelers to their destination. The work starts at 10 p.m. tonight and continues through 4 a.m. Monday morning.
Extra, Extra
- There was a delay on the Blue Line this afternoon when a woman fell on the tracks. Service and power were restored at around 2:30 p.m
- The CTA Tattler takes a look at how the CTA avoided additional fare hikes...for now.
- The Supreme Court has agreed to consider reviewing the case of former Sun-Times owner Conrad Black.
So What the Hell is Up With the Blue Line Anyway?
Another weekend, another Blue Line shut down. All this talk of slow zones and construction has those of us who use the Blue Line irritated, especially for those trips to O'Hare. And, besides, didn't they just spend two years working on the slow zones? Lucky for us, CTA Tattler took questions straight to the CTA.
Blue Line Or Bus?
Hey, just a friendly reminder that the Blue Line is shut down between Western and Clark/Lake this weekend. So build about an extra three hours into any travel plans you have this weekend. Also, didn't they announce that slow zones were gone on the Blue Line a couple months ago? If that's the case why has our previously 20 minute commute expanded to an hour on weekdays?
Man Found Dead On Blue Line
A man’s body was discovered inside a CTA Blue Line train early Sunday at 711 Des Plaines Avenue in West suburban Forest Park, authorities said. The man was identified as Hassan Sebazamy Damulira, 24, of Bellwood. According to a Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office spokesman, the man appeared to have suffered a drug overdose. The man was pronounced dead @ 2:52 a.m., the spokesman said. An autopsy is pending toxicological results. The CTA has referred questions to the police. [Sun-Times]
Extra, Extra
- The Sun-Times looks at Amber Cremeens, the McHenry native killed last week by her ex-boyfriend Tyler James Martin, who shot himself after a stand-off with police in Logan Square on Friday.
- State Attorney General Lisa Madigan is prepping a lawsuit against Caterpillar, Inc. over the huge oil sludge spill from earlier this month.
- The Arlington Heights-based company responsible for Golden Tee is gambling on a new slot machine.
Extra, Extra
- Chicago Police are investigating what seems to be a serial rapist terrorizing the Bucktown neighborhood after another attack of a woman leaving the Western Ave. Blue Line stop.
- Former pro-wrestling star Verne Gagne is in hot water after a man he threw to the ground in a nursing home died as a result of the incident.
- On the eve of the 10th anniversary of Gene Siskel's death, former partner-in-criticism Roger Ebert gives a heartfelt remembrance of Siskel.
Muggings At Logan Square CTA Worries Residents
A series of recent muggings at the CTA's Logan Square station has raised concern among residents and has police on the defensive. There were seven different incidents reported in a recent two-week period and now residents want to know what police are going to do about it.
CTA Schedules Sunday Re-Routes
If you plan on using the CTA tomorrow, be sure you're aware of some re-routes happening.
CTA Work On Red, Blue Lines
Work on the CTA Red and Blue Lines is happening this week, so be sure to plan accordingly. Work on the Sheridan Red Line stop will change where passengers will board and exit trains; the work will be from Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. As for the Blue Line, trains will run on a single track between Rosemont and O'Hare from 8 p.m. until 4 a.m., starting tonight and finishing Friday morning, to continue work on eliminating slow zones.
Blue Line Delays
What the CTA is calling a "Medical Emergency" has disrupted southbound Blue Line service into the Loop. The incident occurred at the Jackson stop. The CTA is urging people to seek alternate routes southbound into the Loop. It's the second major disruption of serviec for the CTA's trains in as many days after a derailment interrupted Yellow and Red Line service yesterday.
Huberman To CTA Construction Crews: Git 'Er Done
Construction work on the Blue Line tracks between the Rosemont station and O’Hare is wrapping up four days early, with CTA service expected to be restored tomorrow morning at 3 a.m. Repairs to deteriorating rails, tie plates and spikes will eliminate the 15 m.p.h. slow zones on that particular stretch of track, now giving trains the capacity to travel at speeds up to 55 m.p.h.
Blue Line Segment Shuts Down
We mentioned it a few weeks ago, but in case you've forgotten or missed it in the first place, the CTA is shutting down the Blue Line between O'Hare and Rosemont to continue work on slow zone elimination. The shut down begins at 3 a.m. Tuesday morning and runs until 3 a.m. Monday, July 28. Shuttle buses will run between O'Hare and Rosemont 24 hours a day until work is completed, so be sure to allow plenty of extra time.

