Mary Wisniewski

A Metra train moves along the Union Pacific Northwest Line on Oct. 29, 2019 in Lake Barrington. Wet leaves have caused problems with some Metra trains but small sand nozzles near the front wheels help trains maneuver on tracks riddled with leaves or ice.

Fall foliage is beautiful — but it’s a pain in the neck for Metra. Here’s why.

October 29, 2019 at 2:58 p.m.

Autumn leaves are lovely to see, but they cause delays for Metra commuters. Slippery rail conditions caused by snow and leaves on the tracks led to 13- to 20-minute delays...

A PACE bus heads north on Harlem Avenue at 71st Street in Bridgeview, an area that bustles with heavy truck traffic, on Oct. 15, 2019.

Some suburban workers face long, tricky commutes. Communities are grappling with how to fill in transit holes

October 28, 2019 at 1:00 a.m.

It takes Lamont Brown two hours to travel between his job at Cintas Uniform Services in Bedford Park and his home on Chicago's Far South Side. The commute involves two...

Chicago residents and workers downtown on Monday should expect crowds, extra police and traffic hassles during Donald Trump's first visit to the city as president.

Chicagoans should expect some traffic hassles, and a big police presence, during Trump visit on Monday

October 27, 2019 at 2:32 p.m.

Chicago residents and workers downtown on Monday should expect crowds, extra police and traffic hassles during Donald Trump's first visit to the city as president. Trump is expected to attend...

By April 20, 1979, construction was moving along on the State Street Mall. In this view, looking south from the "L" platform, the widened sidewalk on the west side of the street appears nearly complete. The circular openings would become granite planters for trees.

Flashback: The State Street Mall, billed as a car-free shopping mecca, started with high hopes but ended in failure and bus fumes

October 25, 2019 at 8:17 a.m.

Forty years ago this October, Chicago put on a party to celebrate the new State Street Mall, intended as a car-free shopping paradise. Mayor Jane Byrne was there on Oct....

CTA riders will be spared fare hikes and service cuts for a second year in a row in 2020, and will see some new rail cars and buses, along with track and station improvements.

CTA: No fare hikes, no service cuts for 2020 — but ridership is still falling

October 24, 2019 at 9:02 a.m.

CTA riders will be spared fare hikes and service cuts for a second year in a row in 2020, and will see some new rail cars and buses, along with...

Tollway director Alvarez cancels City Club appearance after group receives subpoena in ComEd probe

October 23, 2019 at 3:40 p.m.

Illinois Tollway head Jose Alvarez canceled a scheduled Tuesday appearance at the City Club of Chicago, following news that the club had been the subject of a subpoena and search...

A ride-share vehicle jumps ahead of a line of taxicabs in front of the Hilton Chicago on Michigan Avenue on Oct. 18, 2019.

Mayor Lightfoot’s proposed ride-share fees would be the highest in the nation. But other cities are also considering hikes.

October 19, 2019 at 1:43 p.m.

If the City Council approves a proposed $3 tax on solo ride-share trips downtown, Chicago will have the highest ride-share fees in the country. But the city may not keep...

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