Latest news with #AllStationsAccessibilityProgram
Chicago Tribune
5 days ago
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Around the Southland: Smith Village goes to the dogs, Metra station projects begin, more
Special education students at the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences and Smith Village in Chicago recently teamed up for an event made for dogs. Four independent living residents brought their dogs for a tasting event at Smith Village to showcase that its store is the first to sell dog treats made by the ag students. The treats, available in different shapes, include eggs and honey collected at the school's farm. Residents Theresa Boone and Barb Graber, Smith Village sous chef IsaGani Alma and 19th Ward Alderman Matt O'Shea judged the contest, with the dogs earning blue ribbons. Residents Beth O'Grady and Dave Degnan gave each student a Special Olympics-style medal and their teacher, Anne Brown, a trophy for the class. O'Grady and Degnan began selling the dog treats at the store after visiting a class. Metra has broken ground on two commuter train station projects in the area: 95th Street/Chicago State University Station on the Metra Electric Line and the 115th Street/Morgan Park Station on the Rock Island line. The $8.69 million project to improve the 115th Street/Morgan Park Station will create a new plaza and widewalks, replace existing platform shelters and work to resolve stormwater issues, as well as resurfacing two parking areas and adding lighting. 'An overall $10 million investment in this project from Gov. Pritzker's Rebuild Illinois capital program will improve transit access and quality of life in one of Chicago's great neighborhoods as well as strengthen transportation across the region,' Illinois Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi shared in a news release. The 95th Street/Chicago State University Station project includes building a new street-level entrance on 95th Street with a new storefront, elevator and enclosed entrance area, replacing the existing platform and stairs and headhouse, building a new CSU campus headhouse, and creating a walkway and bike lane that connects a new community parking lot and tunnel entrance. Work is expected to be completed in late 2027. 'No matter their zip code, all Chicagoans deserve reliable and accessible public transit to get to school, get to work and more easily move throughout Chicagoland,' Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., who co-sponsored the federal All Stations Accessibility Program that is helping to fund the rehabilitation, noted in a news release. The annual street fair in Hickory Hills marks its 45th year this summer. The event takes place 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. June 29 on Roberts Road between 95th and 91st streets. The family-friendly event includes a car show, food trucks, crafters, bingo from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., karaoke from 1 to 3:30 p.m. and inflatable rides. The Hickory Hills Park District sponsored the bounce house and outdoor games and activities. A live concert in the beer garden the night before kicks off the event, with music from the Ranger Band from 7 to 10 p.m. June 28. On the day of the festival, Rock 'n Roll Ray performs from 4 to 7 p.m. June 29 in the beer garden. Information is at City Hall at 708-598-4800. Legacy Ranch recently received a $9.750 check from members of 100+ Women Who Care of Will County, a philanthropic group founded by local women interested in supporting their communities by donating to charities as a group to boost the impact of a donation. The nonprofit organization provides equine-assisted services to people facing developmental, emotional or physical challenges, aiming to offer an inclusive environment for individuals to build confidence, improve their well-being and overcome challenges with the help of the healing power of horses. 'The donation will allow us to further our mission of supporting anyone who reaches out to us and to expand our programs to serve even more individuals in our community,' Executive Director Kate Rasmussen shared in a news release. The women meet quarterly and pitch charities to support, with members writing a $100 check on the spot to the winning organization. The group's next meeting is 6 to 7 p.m. Sept. 9 at Coom's Corner in Lockport. Information is at Students at area Catholic schools recently banded together to help children and families served by Franciscan Health Olympia Fields. Infant Jesus of Prague School in Flossmoor students raised money via a penny drive, bringing in jars of pennies and sabotaging other groups by adding silver change to their jars. The $350 raised helped buy supplies such as toys to outfit a pediatric sensory room at the new Franciscan Health Outpatient Therapy Homewood. Interim Principal Charlotte Kelly is a member of the Franciscan Health Foundation Board of Directors and the Circle of 1875, an organization of women who support Franciscan's programs and missions in the community. The circle chose to support the therapy site as its first project in 2004 but funds fell short. Marian Catholic High School in Chicago Heights also contributed to that site, with student council members selling cookies and raising $1,000 to buy toys. Students at St. Agnes School in Chicago Heights raised $1,400 with help from their families and friends for babies and new mothers in need served by the hospital. The Franciscan Health Foundation accepts contributions online at or by calling 708-852-2430. Tickets are on sale now for the annual Southside Summer Festival presented by Marist High School from 4 to 10 p.m. July 19 at the stadium, 4030 W. 115th St., Chicago. Poi Dog Pondering will headline the event, and Michael Glabicki of Rusted Root will be the opening act. Red Pop Fury also will perform. Attendees may bring blankets to sit on the floor. No outside food or beverages allowed. Tickets for the event, open to those 21 and older, cost $35 before July 18 or $40 at the door. Limited VIP tickets cost $150 and include beverages and light food. Buy tickets at or via the 'GoFan' app. The festival will be a cashless event; credit cards, debit cards and Venmo will be accepted. All money raised supports scholarships and financial aid for current and future Marist students.
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Work begins on $25M project to make CTA Green Line Austin station ADA-compliant
CHICAGO (WGN) — An elevator, escalator, ramp and other improvements will be coming to a renovated Austin station on the Chicago Transit Authority's Green Line as part of a $25 million reconstruction project and an agency commitment to make all rail stations fully accessible and compliant under with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Groundbreaking for the project was held Monday morning at the station, at 351 North Austin Boulevard, which is currently one of six targeted to be rehabbed in the next year. Much of the funding for the project is coming from the federal government. 'I want to keep making these projects a reality, and that's not going to be possible without funding,' said disability rights advocate Michelle Lee. 'Accessibility is really an investment in our communities, it's an investment in our city, and it's really and truly an investment to opening doors to jobs, to resources and to, really, life and all this city has to offer.' Accessibility advocates say the changes will benefit many, including parents with strollers, people carrying luggage or those with temporary disabilities. 'Creating accessibility benefits everybody. It's also a civil right that our community get equal access to our public transit systems,' said Karen Tamley, the president and CEO of the organization Access Living. The work is being done through the CTA's All Stations Accessibility Program, the plan of which was released in 2018 with a goal of making all rail stations fully accessible by 2038. Some stations with existing elevators may have them upgraded or replaced. The CTA says 104 of its 146 rail stations are ADA accessible. Austin is among 14 stations currently funded and in various stages of planning, design or under construction, the agency said. While the main entrance to the station will close in June for the start of major work, riders will continue to have access to the station using its auxiliary entrance. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
31-03-2025
- General
- CBS News
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson attends groundbreaking of Austin CTA Green Line accessibility work
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson was at the CTA Green Line Austin stop Monday morning to break ground on accessibility improvement work at the station. The work is part of the CTA's All Stations Accessibility Program, which was created in 2018 to make all CTA rail stations fully accessible by 2038. The project also includes upgrading or replacing existing system elevators. According to the CTA, 104 of the 148 rail stations, or 70%, are ADA accessible. Austin is one of 14 stations currently funded and in some stage of planning, design or construction for the accessibility updates. Starting in June, the Austin Green Line's main entrance will be closed for major project work, which is expected to continue into 2026. That work includes installing a new elevator and escalator connecting to the platform, stair reconstruction, and the addition of an ADA-compliant ramp. The platform will also be extended. Riders will be able to access the station during construction through the auxiliary entrance.
Chicago Tribune
20-02-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Around the Southland: Orland food pantry gets boost from sheriff's office, more
Sheriff's office helps fill food pantry in Orland A donation from the Cook County sheriff's office helped fill the shelves of the Orland Township Food Pantry after a food drive last month. This year's drive, which involved efforts from sheriff's office personnel, including officers who patrol the township's unincorporated areas, yielded a large number of nonperishable food items. 'Our community thrives when we come together to support one another, and I can't thank Sheriff Tom Dart and his team enough for their commitment to helping those in need,' Orland Township Supervisor Paul O'Grady shared in a news release, adding that the sheriff's annual food drive 'is a shining example of partnership and compassion, and the impact of their donation will be felt by many families across Orland Township.' The pantry always needs donations of food, pet items, hygiene products and financial contributions. Information is at or 708-403-4222. 103rd Street Metra station reopens as 95th Street station closes After more than a year of construction, the 103rd Street/Rosemore Station on the Metra Electric Line will reopen to customers. That same day, the 95th St./Chicago State University station will close for about two years for its own $33.4 million rehabilitation and expansion. The 103rd St./Rosemore station is the second to reopen under a $33.9 million contract for three stations: 79th Street/Chatham, 87th Street/Woodruff and 103rd Street/Rosemore. The 79th Street/Chatham station has reopened and work has begun at the 87th St./Woodruff station. After completion, all three stations will have enclosed lobbies with elevators and ADA-accessible entrances, new stairs and headhouses, new lighting and signs, and new composite deck platforms. The 95th Street station project, which has a completion date of the third quarter of 2027, will improve its accessibility and connection to Chicago State University. It's being funded through the Rebuild Illinois capital program, Cook County and a Federation Transit Administration All Stations Accessibility Program grant. The work includes a new tunnel entrance and walkway and bike lane connecting to a new commuter parking lot, as well as new headhouse, platform and stairs, new street-level entrance on 95th Street with an enclosed entrance, new elevator and a full-length canopy on the platform. In other Metra news, the board approved a $8.69 million contract to renovate the 115th Street/Morgan Park Station on the Rock Island Line. Work is expected to begin later this year at the station to replace the existing platform shelters, create a new plaza and sidewalks, and address stormwater management needs. The project will also include resurfacing the station's two parking areas and new lighting. H-F park district earns Champions for Change award The Homewood-Flossmoor Park District had to make space for another award after winning the Illinois Park and Recreation Association and Illinois Association of Park District's Champions for Change Award during the annual Soaring to New Heights conference awards luncheon held recently at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago. The award is given to an agency that has 'unique and exemplary practices of increasing access and fostering diversity and inclusion within its community or organization,' a district news release noted. Such practices result in positive social change and remove barriers, as well as encouraging others to follow in their path. 'At HFPD, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – or DEI – are not just initiatives; they are part of who we are,' Irwin Center manager Oralethea Davenport, chairman of the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District DEI Committee, shared in the news release. The district's board-approved DEI goals in the last two years include annual training, program and event reviews, and creating a HFPD DEI logo for display at facility entrances. The district's scholarship fund has offered recreational opportunities for families in financial need, and its collaboration with the South Suburban Special Recreation Association has boosted accessibility for programming, allowing people with special needs to participate in activities that might otherwise be available. In addition, events and programs such as the annual PRIDE Fest held with the villages of Flossmoor and Homewood help enhance community bonds and promote equity. Diaper drive this month benefits Together We Cope Together We Cope benefits from a diaper drive held through Feb. 28 at Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, 8100 W. 119th St., No. 100, Palos Park. New, opened and partial packages of diapers, training pants and adult briefs will be accepted. All brands and sizes are welcome, especially for larger children and adults. Monetary donations in cash or checks made payable to Together We Cope also are welcome. Palos Islamic Center hosts day to learn about Ramadan Learn about Ramadan during Open Mosque Day from 2 to 4 p.m. Feb. 23 at Palos Islamic Center, 123400 S. 80th Ave., Palos Park. All are welcome to connect with Muslim neighbors and explore Ramadan, which is celebrated Feb. 28 through March 29. During the holiday, Muslims fast daily from dawn to sunset, eating and drinking nothing, including water, as well as attend prayer services. Fasting is one of the Five Pillars of Islam; the others are prayer, almsgiving, pilgrimage and the profession of faith. Families and friends gather to break their fast. The holiday Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan. Information sessions, traditional cuisine, henna, calligraphy and festive decor will be offered at the center. Information is at or 708-888-7074. Church's chili cook-off benefits youth work trip to Appalachia A chili cook-off and dinner is planned from 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 26 in Fellowship Hall at Flossmoor Community Church, 2218 Hutchison Road, Flossmoor. The event, hosted by the board of Lay Ministries, benefits the youth work trip to Appalachia. Lay Ministries will supply cornbread and traditional chili toppings. Macaroni and cheese also will be served. Attendees will eat, judge and enjoy fellowship. The suggested donation is $10 per person. It's free to enter the contest. Register at or call 708-798-2800.
