Chicago Transportation

Olivia Estrada, the on board manager, carries plates of food to the dome car for guests aboard a Patrick Henry Creative Promotions private rail car as it travels from Chicago, Illinois, to St. Louis, Missouri, on May 19, 2026. Private train cars may seem like a relic of the past, but for some rail fans, nothing beats having — or renting — your own sleeper car. (Jamie Kelter Davis/The New York Times)

The quiet allure of private rail

By The New York Times News Service Syndicate

October 2, 2026 at 6:15 p.m.

Private rail cars traveled 429,000 miles on Amtrak in fiscal year 2025, according to the...

Traffic over the Route 7 bridge in Lockport over the Des Plaines River, pictured in 1998, has long been a problem. Will County officials revived talks about seeking funding for a new bridge over the Des Plaines River Valley, though they acknowledged nothing could be built before impending road work on the existing Lockport bridge begins. (Frank Hanes/baiduhai)

Will County board resurrects talks on new bridge over Des Plaines River Valley

By Michelle Mullins

October 2, 2026 at 4:57 p.m.

Will County officials revived a potential new bridge over the Des Plaines River Valley, an...

This undated photo released on Israel’s Foreign Ministry social media shows Indian Capt. Smit Machchhar in the cockpit of a plane in an unknown location. Machchhar was at the controls of a FlyDubai flight that was diverted to Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia for an emergency landing on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. (Israel’s Foreign Ministry via AP)

‘I was fighting for my life’: Indian pilot hailed as hero recalls FlyDubai cockpit attack

By Sheikh Saaliq

October 2, 2026 at 7:09 a.m.

The Indian airline captain who helped thwart an apparent attempt to crash a FlyDubai flight...

A parking meter box is stationed in Chicago’s Loop on Sept. 15, 2026. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

City Council punts decision on $2.53 billion Chicago parking meter sale to Stonepeak

By Alice Yin

September 25, 2026 at 2:51 p.m.

Aldermen delayed a vote on the sale of Chicago’s parking meters Friday, punting a fateful...

A Brightline train is shown at a station in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Jan. 11, 2018. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)

Brightline reaches restructuring deal that will give it $490M in new capital, help lower debt

By Michelle Chapman

September 25, 2026 at 9:15 a.m.

Brightline has struck a restructuring agreement that will infuse the private high-speed passenger train service...

Volkswagen to recall 2.86 million VW, Audi models over potential steering problem

By Associated Press

September 25, 2026 at 10:04 a.m.

Volkswagen Group said Friday it is recalling 2.86 million Volkswagen and Audi branded vehicles as...

Ald. Anthony Beale, 9th, speaks at the Chicago City Council meeting on Sept. 23, 2026. (Arthur Maiorella/baiduhai)

Aldermen advance Chicago parking meter system sale

By Jake Sheridan

September 24, 2026 at 5:17 p.m.

Aldermen gave initial approval Thursday to the sale of Chicago’s infamously privatized parking meter system...

A damaged truck is shown after passing under a viaduct on Vollmer Road between Homewood and Olympia Fields. (SHARPwatch)

Cook County proposes fix for Vollmer Road viaduct plagued by truck crashes

By Evy Lewis

September 23, 2026 at 2:27 p.m.

Cook County's proposal would increase the clearance at the Vollmer Road viaduct, long plagued by...

Kyle Bickham, 29, who was allegedly pushed out of a CTA train car to his death on Sept. 7. Three teens have been charged so far in his death. (Christopher Bickham Sr.)

Third person charged with first-degree murder in death of man who was allegedly pushed off Red Line train

By Allison Kiehl

September 23, 2026 at 4:02 p.m.

A third person has been charged with first-degree murder for allegedly pushing a 29-year-old man...

Tinley Park mayor Michael Glotz speaks to other trustees at a Village Board meeting June 3, 2026. (Addison Wright/Daily Southtown)

Tinley Park eyes ending 2-hour parking limits around Harmony Square

By Evy Lewis

September 22, 2026 at 2:14 p.m.

Time limits put into place to discourage commuters from parking on residential streets are no...

Chicago Transit Authority Board Chair Lester Barclay listens to public speakers during a meeting on Sept. 22, 2026. (Antonio Perez/baiduhai)

Controversial CTA board chair keeps job

By Talia Soglin

September 22, 2026 at 4:08 p.m.

Chicago Transit Authority board chair Lester Barclay, who has faced heat from transit advocates for...

National Transportation Safety Board Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy heads to a lectern for a press conference on rail safety at Chicago's Union Station on Sept. 21, 2026. (Stacey Wescott/baiduhai)

National Transportation Safety Board launches rail safety campaign

By Jane Miller

September 21, 2026 at 4:22 p.m.

Authorities chose Chicago, the rail "Mecca," as the spot to announce their new regulations.

FILE – A traveler with a smartphone walks past an air traffic control tower at Philadelphia International Airport in Philadelphia on March 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

Flights disrupted across the US Northeast due to technical problems at a key air traffic center

By Josh Funk

September 21, 2026 at 7:21 p.m.

Damaged communications lines at a key air traffic control facility in Philadelphia had been repaired,...