Statement from Metra Board Chairman Martin J. Oberman regarding Chicago Union Station:
"What happened yesterday to Metra customer Hilda Piell is completely unacceptable.
Our agency remains deeply concerned about the condition of Chicago Union Station – both as a tenant whose train operations are impacted when incidents occur and also on behalf of our 55,000 customers who travel through this station daily.
After inspecting the location with Amtrak officials earlier today, I have made it clear that I expect Amtrak to take all available measures to secure the area immediately for the safety of passengers. Amtrak has also pledged to take appropriate steps to ensure public safety moving forward, including taking legal action against the responsible party.
In addition, I have asked Metra staff to immediately investigate how this situation was allowed to occur so that steps can be taken to ensure that an accident like this doesn’t happen again."
