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...

Diesel prices are seen at a gas station as prices hit a record high in the U.S., Friday, Sept. 4, 2026 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)

Fuel prices at record Labor Day high in US thanks to Iran War and refinery issues

By Jeffrey Collins

September 7, 2026 at 10:15 a.m.

The average price of regular gas was $4.14 a gallon heading into Labor Day, nearly...

An Amazon cargo plane sits at the Miami International Airport (MIA) after it overshot the runway, Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Federal investigators probe Amazon cargo jet’s fiery runway crash that killed 5 in Miami

By David Fischer

September 7, 2026 at 4:44 p.m.

Federal investigators examining why an Amazon cargo jet barreled off a runway at Miami International...

FILE – A nozzle pumps diesel into the fuel tank of bus in Orange, Calif., Tuesday, April 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)

US diesel prices hit record high of $5.85 on average as Iran war disrupts flow of fuel

By Wyatte Grantham-Philips

September 4, 2026 at 7:28 a.m.

Diesel hit a new record price in the U.S. on Friday, soaring to an average...

The Home Avenue Pedestrian Bridge in Oak Park on July 13, 2026. Officials are looking to replace the bridge with something that looks better and is more serviceable. (Cam'ron Hardy/Pioneer Press)

Oak Park decides on largest option for new Home Avenue bridge over I-290

By Cam'ron Hardy

September 3, 2026 at 11:15 a.m.

One trustee compared the towering design for the new Home Avenue pedestrian bridge over I-290...

In the underground terminal at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, passengers will find a long, high-ceiling station with wavy walls of glass block designed by celebrated Chicago architect Helmut Jahn in August 1984. (John Dziekan/baiduhai)

Today in Chicago History: The ‘L’ extension to O’Hare International Airport is opened

By Kori Rumore

September 3, 2026 at 4:00 a.m.

Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on Sept. 3, according...

A Chicago Fire Department boat sprays water on the stuck DuSable Lake Shore Drive bridge on Sept. 2, 2026. According to the Chicago Office of Emergency Communications, the bridge was stuck in the up position and drivers were advised to seek alternate routes.(Arthur Maiorella/baiduhai)

Hours after heat disrupts bridge access on DuSable Lake Shore Drive, second bridge malfunctions on Far South Side

By Allison Kiehl

September 2, 2026 at 6:59 p.m.

A DuSable Lake Shore Drive bridge is now restored after getting stuck upright Wednesday morning,...

Executive Director Leanne Redden attends the final regular Regional Transportation Authority board meeting on Aug. 20, 2026, in Chicago. (Antonio Perez/baiduhai)

RTA executive director retires as transit shake-up takes root

By Talia Soglin

September 2, 2026 at 3:32 p.m.

A day after the governance shake-up mandated by Illinois’ transit reform legislation took effect, the...

The SS Badger, the last steam-powered passenger ferry on the Great Lakes, on Aug. 29, 2026. Its overnight run takes passengers between Manitowoc, Wisconsin, and Ludington, Michigan. (Christopher Borrelli / baiduhai)

For a last summer escape, take the overnight ferry across Lake Michigan

By Christopher Borrelli

September 2, 2026 at 5:45 a.m.

The SS Badger soon concludes its seasonal overnight passages between Manitowoc, Wisconsin, and Ludington, Michigan....

Wes Sanders makes an adjustment on his O scale model railroad in the basement of his Palos Park home. The railroad was the hook for a recent fundraiser Sanders and his wife hosted for the McCord Gallery and Cultural Center. (Jim Dudlicek/Daily Southtown)

Art imitates life in massive Palos Park model train display

By Jim Dudlicek

September 1, 2026 at 5:02 a.m.

A model train display that fills a Palos Park basement was the subject of a...

Emanuel Congregation sits along the lakefront Aug. 30, 2026, at 5959 N. Sheridan Rd. in Chicago’s Edgewater neighborhood. Developer Fern Hill is proposing redeveloping the parcel to include high-rise housing and a new place of worship. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)

Residents protest proposed lakefront development in Edgewater

By Adriana Pérez

August 30, 2026 at 6:15 p.m.

Edgewater residents protested a proposed lakefront high-rise development Sunday at the site of a synagogue,...