Dempster–Skokie station
| Company type | Chicago "L" rapid transit station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | 1925 |
| Headquarters | Skokie , United States |
Area served | Skokie, Illinois |
| Products | Rapid transit services (Yellow Line) |
Dempster–Skokie, previously known as Dempster or Skokie, is a station on the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Yellow Line, positioned at 5005 Dempster Street within Skokie, Illinois (coordinates 8800 north, 5000 west). Serving as the western endpoint among three Yellow Line stops, it is one of two CTA rail stations located in Skokie and is constructed at ground level.
History
Constructed in 1925, the station was originally part of the high-speed Skokie Valley Route operated by the North Shore Line. Additionally, it functioned as the terminus for the Chicago Rapid Transit Company's Niles Center Route until that service was discontinued in 1948. Following the North Shore Line's closure in 1963, the CTA introduced a new transit service in 1964, initially utilizing a provisional station on the same site. This line, initially named the Skokie Swift and currently known as the Yellow Line, remains active.
The existing station building was erected in 1994. The original Dempster Street Station, distinguished by its Ludowici tile roofing, is recognized on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. It was relocated one block east at an expense of $1 million to make space for the modern station and parking facilities. As of August 2024, this historic structure accommodates a Starbucks featuring a drive-thru and a law office located at 5001 Dempster Street.
Service
Dempster–Skokie operates as a transfer point for both CTA and Pace bus routes and previously served as a Greyhound bus terminal until Greyhound ceased operations there in 2012.
Among "L" terminals, it is one of only two equipped with two side platforms rather than a single or bay platform—the other being Cottage Grove. The east platform is designated solely for passenger exit and does not include fare control gates. Notably, Dempster–Skokie is one of three terminal stations without an associated rail yard; the others are Cottage Grove and O'Hare.
On June 8, 2011, the Chicago Transit Board officially changed the station's name from Skokie to Dempster–Skokie, coinciding with the designation of a new infill station on the Yellow Line as Oakton–Skokie.
Location
Positioned at 5005 Dempster Street near Bronx Avenue and approximately from the I-94 Dempster ramp, Dempster–Skokie station lies within the village of Skokie, Illinois, adjacent to Chicago and Evanston. It ranks as one of two 'L' stops serving Skokie, alongside . The station anchors a prominent commercial and transit center in Skokie's downtown area. The nearby Skokie Valley Trail further supports local transportation connectivity.
Bus connections
- 54A North Cicero/Skokie Blvd (Weekday Rush Hours only)
- 97 Skokie
- 250 Dempster Street
- 626 Skokie Valley Limited (Weekday Rush Hours only)
- Pulse Dempster Line