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Chicago Union Station Marks 100th Anniversary, Unveils 2026 Modernization Plans

Platform, mezzanine, ventilation upgrades under the federally backed Chicago Hub Improvement Program are slated to begin in 2026.

Overview

  • Gov. JB Pritzker led a centennial ceremony in the Great Hall, highlighting the station’s legacy of welcoming global travelers.
  • The multi-modal hub now serves 120,000 passengers daily through Amtrak, Metra, Greyhound and CTA services.
  • A recent renovation of the iconic Great Hall restored its architectural grandeur and improved traveler amenities.
  • Conceived in Daniel Burnham’s 1909 Plan of Chicago, the limestone-clad station features 24 stub tracks in the nation’s only double-stub design.
  • Amtrak, owner since 1984, will repurpose disused mail platforms beneath the Old Post Office and reduce rail congestion through CHIP-funded work beginning in 2026.