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ORLAND PARK, IL – Today, Commissioner Sean Morrison joined Chief Michael Schofield and his Orland Fire Protection District staff at their Narcan Nasal Spray Training Seminar for local police departments. This grant program administered by the Orland Fire Protection District and Commissioner Morrison’s 17th District Office provides training and Narcan Nasal Spray supplies at NO COST to suburban police departments...
By a vote of 16-1, the Cook County Board passed a resolution today out of the Criminal Justice Committee that moves to defund the Cook County Sheriff’s Office. The lone dissenting vote was from Commissioner Sean Morrison who pointed to three main points for his opposition. – The resolution castigated all law enforcement as inherently racist. – The...
The Forest Preserves of Cook County’s Swallow Cliff Stairs near Palos Park. On July 9, the Forest Preserves will reopen the Swallow Cliff Stairs near Palos Park and the parking lots for the site and other adjoining preserves. Many public restrooms that have been closed since early March will reopen on July 9 as well, and groups of up to 25 can...
Preckwinkle’s March 10 order is set to expire at the end of May, though, if approved by the board of commissioners at their May 21 meeting, the order could be extended through Sept. 30. By Rachel Hinton May 15, 2020, 3:11pm CDT Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle is seeking an extension of the disaster proclamation that allows her to...
New data from Rush University Medical Center offers a glimmer of optimism. “We’re hoping we continue to see this change in the doubling time and the next few weeks we start to see something that resembles a peak.” (Bloomberg) — Illinois, among the U.S. states with the most coronavirus cases, may be showing signs of slower Covid-19 spread earlier than...
Lorraine Knuth is asking for birthday cards, as well as donations to build a new home for the Midwest Veterans Closet in North Chicago. All birthday cards should be sent to:
Midwest Veterans Closet
2323 Green Bay Road
North Chicago IL 60064
Or:
Midwest Veterans Closet
PO Box 278
WadsworthIL 60083
For more information on the organization and how to make a donation, visit: www.midwestveteranscloset.org/
WWII veteran Lorraine Knuth asks for birthday cards, donations for her 100th birthday
A World War II veteran in North Chicago wants you to join in on her 100th birthday celebration.
NEW FARE COLLECTION PROCEDURES ON UNION PACIFIC METRA LINES FOCUS ON HEALTH AND SAFETY
OMAHA, Neb., Oct. 2, 2020 – Effective Monday, Oct. 5, Chicago commuters riding the Union Pacific NORTH, NORTHWEST and WEST Metra lines must show a valid ticket when boarding an outbound train or upon arrival at Ogilvie Transportation Center (OTC). Union Pacific employees positioned behind protective, plexiglass booths will verify fares as commuters enter or leave train platforms, similar to how the railroad managed large event crowds in the past. The process increases fare collection, while helping keep Union Pacific employees and Chicago commuters safe and healthy as the world continues to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Sadly, Union Pacific experienced the tragic loss of two employees when two ticket agents passed away earlier this year,” said Union Pacific’s General Superintendent of Commuter Operations Benita
Gibson. “What we know about COVID-19 continues to change, and we have a responsibility to our employees and commuters to put their health and safety first.”
Commuters are asked to have tickets or mobile devices ready to present, allowing them to efficiently move past verification booths, particularly with low ridership around 10% of pre-pandemic levels. Fare evasion signs are posted, and violators can be fined or prosecuted under state law.
Ticket sales at OTC and outlying stations resumed Sept. 28; however, Union Pacific strongly encourages commuters to use the Ventra app, which is the safest and most efficient way to purchase
a ticket as also recommended by the Regional Transportation Authority and Metra. Union Pacific conductors will continue to be stationed in the front and rear rail cars of the train, responsible for
safety during boarding and de-boarding, operating doors and providing ADA assistance.
“Union Pacific bases its decisions related to COVID-19 on science, as well as CDC, state and local guidance designed to protect employee and commuter health,” said Union Pacific’s Chief Medical
Officer Dr. Laura Gillis. “The American Public Transportation Association recently acknowledged that managing proximity between riders and operators is key to protecting both from COVID-19 exposure.
It further recommends installing physical separators, such as the protective plexiglass barriers our ticket verifiers are stationed behind, as an additional useful measure.”
Union Pacific is committed to ensuring that commuters feel safe and confident as they return to riding trains, and has repeatedly asked Metra to increase its police presence to address commuters’ safety concerns, as well as enforce ticketing and mask Requirements. Responsibility for onboard passenger and public safety has been Metra’s responsibility for nearly three years. Union Pacific employees, like passengers who may observe inappropriate or unlawful behavior, are instructed to contact Metra Police who are trained and equipped to handle these situations.
While Union Pacific continues to negotiate with Metra on a transfer of services, its actions related to ticket sales and verification are strictly related to employee and commuter health and safety. The
railroad will continue to re-evaluate its processes as more data becomes available and will make adjustments, as necessary.
ABOUT UNION PACIFIC
Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP) delivers the goods families and businesses use every day with safe, reliable and efficient service. Operating in 23 western states, the company connects its customers and communities to the global economy. Trains are the most environmentally responsible way to move freight, helping Union Pacific protect future generations. More information about Union Pacific is available at www.up.com.
Union Pacific Media Contact: Kristen South at 402-544-3435 or kmsouth@up.com
www.up.com
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Last week, I joined my colleagues on the Cook County Board along with our Dept. of Emergency Management & Regional Security and Dept. of Public Health to announce a 500,000 unit facial mask distribution program to 18 high-risk communities within Cook County.
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Phone : 312-603-4215
Fax: 312-603-2014
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Phone: 708-349-1336
Fax: 708-349-1627