John P. Daley

Dozens of Bridgeport residents and elected officials protested outside Rate Field against Amtrak's proposed 24/7 rail maintenance facility, planned about 100 feet from some homes. The demonstration came days after Canal Edge, the development group led by future White Sox owner Justin Ishbia, released renderings for a South Loop stadium that would effectively swap sites with Amtrak's current riverfront facility near Roosevelt Road. Ald. Nicole Lee, Ald. Pat Dowell, and Cook County Commissioner John Daley warned the combined plans could devastate the neighborhood, especially if the Sox eventually leave Rate Field, whose lease expires in 2029, and urged Amtrak to consider nonresidential alternative sites, including near 47th Street and Western Avenue.

Residents object to Amtrak seeking a categorical exclusion that would let it skip a full federal environmental review, citing health, noise, and property-value concerns. Amtrak says the facility, backed by up to $572 million in federal funding, is needed to modernize its Chicago operations, while Canal Edge is separately conducting a feasibility study for the roughly $900 million stadium project. Rep. Mike Quigley, who met with Amtrak officials, said the railroad's federal preemption powers should not be used to override community objections. Mayor Brandon Johnson said no decisions have been finalized, and Amtrak's board met to discuss the plan.