Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) officials welcomed Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar, accompanied by Cicero Trustee Victor Garcia and Cicero Police Superintendent Thomas Boyle, for a tour of the 54th/Cermak Pink Line station – the latest CTA rail station to receive upgrades and repairs as part of the Refresh & Renew station improvement program. As part of ongoing efforts to provide riders with a safe and comfortable transit riding experience, an estimated $6.5 million in improvements and repairs are planned for 29 rail stations under the 2023 Refresh & Renew program. “One of our top priorities is to always ensure that we are providing a safe and clean traveling experience for our customers,” said CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr. “As ridership numbers continue to move in a positive direction, we want our riders to know that we value them and that we are committed to not only providing them with a comfortable transit experience, but also being good stewards of our assets within their communities.”

Commissioner Aguilar said he was very excited to see improvements to the CTA rapid transit station serving the Town of Cicero and the 16th District. “Public transit is a vital asset to our residents and area businesses, and we applaud the investment in the 54th/Cermak station, which serves as a gateway to our incredible community,” Commissioner Aguilar said. “I’d like to thank our partners at the CTA for their hard work through the Refresh & Renew Program, which supports our commitment to providing high quality and safe public transportation for our residents.” Work performed at the 54th/Cermak Pink Line station is now complete, and included a variety of improvements and repairs, such as: converting exterior lighting to LED, repainting of station interior/exterior surfaces (i.e., columns, beams, doorways, etc.), replacement of outdated/damaged signage and more. Refresh & Renew also address behind-the-scenes needs and repairs to keep the stations in a state of good repair, including removal of outdated fixtures and equipment, repairs to utility and plumbing lines.

Photo Credit: Office of Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar