List of Chicago "L" stations

Chicago "L"

Company type	Public transit system
Industry	Public transportation
Founded	1892
Founder	Chicago and South Side Rapid Transit Railroad, Lake Street Elevated Railroad, Metropolitan West Side Elevated Railroad
Headquarters	Chicago , United States
Area served	Chicago and seven surrounding suburbs
Owner	Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)
Parent	Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)
Website	www.transitchicago.com

The Chicago "L" represents a rapid transit network that serves the city of Chicago along with seven surrounding suburbs, under the administration of the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA). On an average weekday, it accommodates 759,866 riders, ranking it as the second-most utilized rapid transit system in the United States, following only the New York City Subway.

Its origins trace back to three separate companies constructing lines extending southward and westward from downtown Chicago: the Chicago and South Side Rapid Transit Railroad in 1892, the Lake Street Elevated Railroad in 1893, and the Metropolitan West Side Elevated Railroad in 1895. Although initially operating independently, these lines were physically connected in 1897 with the completion of the Union Loop. The Northwestern Elevated Railroad commenced service in 1900, creating a hub-and-spoke configuration centered on downtown Chicago. The network expanded continuously until 1930.

Due to financial difficulties, the public agency CTA was established in 1947 to oversee both rapid transit and streetcar operations. Beginning in 1948, CTA undertook closures of underperforming stations and routes to reduce expenses while enhancing overall service quality. Growth efforts recommenced in 1969 with a new line constructed within the Dan Ryan Expressway median, continuing through to 1993 when the Orange Line opened. The most recent addition, the Pink Line, was introduced in 2006 by rerouting the Douglas branch from the Blue Line.

As of August 2024, the Chicago "L" system comprises eight distinct lines spanning 146 stations across its total track length. Of these stations, 108 meet accessibility criteria as mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Station names generally reflect nearby streets or neighborhoods served. The latest station added to the network is located on the Green Line and began operation on August 5, 2024.

Lines

Chicago "L" lines

Line	Stations	Termini	Weekday ridership (as of July 2022)
Template:Big	33	Template:Cta (north) Template:Cta (north, some rush hour) Template:Cta (south) Template:Cta (south, some rush hour)	66,838
Template:Big	27	Template:Cta (north) The Loop (south)	29,531
Template:Big	31	Template:Cta (north) Template:Cta (south via East 63rd branch) Template:Cta (south via Ashland branch)	20,219
Template:Big	16	The Loop Template:Cta (south)	15,129
Template:Big	22	Template:Cta (west) The Loop (east)	9,834
Template:Big	26	Template:Cta (north) Template:Cta (south, shuttle service) The Loop (south, rush hour express)	4,558
Template:Big	33	Template:Cta (north) Template:Cta (south)	98,148
Template:Big	3	Template:Cta (west) Template:Cta (east)	1,212

Stations

Symbol Definition

Symbol Corresponding Line

Station Name	Lines Served	Transfers/Connections Available	Neighborhood/Area	Date Opened	Station Type

! scope="row" | |"Pink" | |"Pilsen" |"1896-04-28" |"Elevated Structure" |- ! scope="row" style="background-color:#FFFF99"| |"Green" |"Metra Rock Island at Jones/Bronzeville" |"Bronzeville" |"1892-06-06" |"Elevated Structure" |- ! scope="row" | |"Orange" | |"McKinley Park" |"1993-10-31" |"Elevated Structure" |- ! scope="row" | |"Green" | |"Grand Boulevard" |"1892-08-15" |"Elevated Structure" |- ! scope="row" | |"Green" | |"Legends South" |"1892-08-15" |"Elevated Structure" |- ! scope="row" | |"Red" | |"Fuller Park" |"1969-09-28" |"Expressway Median Location" |- ! scope="row" | |"Green" | |"Grand Boulevard/Washington Park" |"1892-08-28" |"Elevated Structure" |- ! scope="row" style="background-color:#ddffdd"| |"Pink" | |"Cicero" |"1912-08-01" |"At-grade Terminal Station" |- ! scope="row" | |"Red" | |"Englewood" |"1969-09-28" |"Expressway Median Location" |- ! scope="row" style="background-color:#8BB381"| |"Brown, Green, Orange, Pink, Purple" |"Metra Electric and South Shore Line at Van Buren Street" |"The Loop District" |"1896-11-08" |"Elevated Structure" |- ! scope="row" style="background-color:#FFE6BD"| |"Blue, Brown, Green, Orange, Pink, Purple" | |"City Hall/The Loop Area" |"1895-09-22 / 1951-02-25" |"Combination Elevated and Underground Transfer Hub" |- ! scope="row" style="background-color:#FFFF99"| |"Blue" |"Metra Lines at Union Station" |"Near West Side/Union Station Vicinity" |"1958-06-22" |"Underground Transfer Facility" |- ! scope="row" style="background-color:#8BB381"| |"Green, Pink" |"Metra at Ogilvie Transportation Center" |"West Loop Gate/West Loop Neighborhood" |"1909-10-16" |"Elevated Transfer Facility" |- ! scope="row" style="background-color:#ddffdd"| |"Green (Terminal)" | |"Woodlawn Area" |"1893-04-23" |"Elevated Terminal Station" |- ! scope="row"| |'Green' | |'Near West Side' |'2024-08-05' |'Elevated Structure' |- ! scope="row"| |'Purple' | |'Evanston Area' |'1908-05-16' |'Elevated Structure' |- ! scope="row"| |'Yellow' | |'Skokie Terminal' |'1925-03-28' |'At-grade Terminal Station' |- ! scope="row"| |'Blue' | |'Forest Park Terminal' |'1905-03-11' |'Elevated Terminal Station' |- ! scope="row"| |'Green' |'Metra Union Pacific West Line at Oak Park' |'Oak Park Area' |'1962-10-28' |'Elevated Terminal with Commuter Rail Link' |- ! scope="row"| |'Red, Purple, Yellow' | |'Rogers Park/Dubkin Park Neighborhoods' |'1908-05-16' |'Elevated Terminal and Transfer Hub' |- ! scope="row"| |'Blue, Red' | |'Chicago Loop/South Loop/Printers Row Districts' |'1951 / 1943' |'Underground Transfer Hub' |- ! scope="row"| |'Red' | |'Chicago Loop/The Loop vicinity with multiple line connections' |'1997-11-18' |'Underground Transfer Facility' |- ! scope="row"| |'Orange' | |'Garfield Ridge/Midway International Airport Connection' |'1993-10-31' |'At-grade Terminal with Airport Linkage' |- ! scope="row"| |'Blue' | |'O'Hare International Airport with Airport Transit System Access' |'1984-09-03' |'Underground Terminal with Airport Connection' |- ! scope="row"| |'Green, Orange, Red' | |'Near South Side/McCormick Place Region' |'1892 / 1943' |'Combined Elevated and Underground Transfer Facility' |- ! scope="row"| |'Purple, Red' | |'Uptown/Montrose Beach Area' |'1900-05-31' |'Elevated Transfer Facility' |}

Stations in Development

Proposed and upcoming Chicago "L" stations

Station	Lines	Transfers	Location	Expected Opening	Construction Type	Current Status
103rd Disabled access	Template:Big	—	Roseland and Washington Heights	2030	Elevated	Proposed
111th Disabled access	Template:Big	—	Roseland	2030	Elevated	Proposed
130th Disabled access †	Template:Big	—	Riverdale	2030	At-grade	Proposed
Michigan Disabled access	Template:Big	—	West Pullman	2030	Elevated	Proposed

Notes

• On May 16, 1908, rapid transit service by the Northwestern Elevated Railroad commenced, replacing the Milwaukee Road's Evanston branch north of Sheridan Park (Wilson Avenue). Stations listed were present prior to the start of "L" operations.
• The station Clark/Lake is listed twice because its elevated and subway components opened independently in 1895 and 1951 respectively.
• Prior to "L" operations, Forest Park functioned as an interurban stop on the Aurora Elgin and Chicago Railway. The Metropolitan West Side Elevated Railroad began service over AE&C tracks on March 11, 1905, marking the start of "L" service there.