18th Street station (Illinois)
| Company type | Commuter rail station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Transportation |
| Predecessor | Illinois Central Railroad |
| Founded | 1907 |
| Headquarters | Chicago , United States |
Area served | Near South Side, Chicago |
| Products | Metra Electric Line service |
18th Street station functions as a commuter rail facility situated in Chicago's Near South Side neighborhood, positioned at the intersection of 18th Street and Calumet Avenue. It operates on the Metra Electric Line, providing service routes heading northbound toward Millennium Station and southbound to destinations including University Park, Blue Island, and South Chicago. Numerous Metra Electric trains consider 18th Street a flag stop, meaning trains halt solely when passengers signal a need to board or disembark. In 2018, this station was ranked 226th out of 236 non-central Metra stations, with an average of 23 boardings on weekdays.
During certain events, specifically Chicago Bears home games, the station receives limited service from the South Shore Line trains traveling from Gary and South Bend, Indiana. According to a non-compete arrangement with Metra, eastbound South Shore Line trains pick up passengers exclusively at Metra Electric stops, whereas westbound trains only allow passengers to exit.
The station was originally built in 1907 by the Illinois Central Railroad (ICRR) and continues to be part of the University Park Sub District within the Metra Electric network.