Chicago Moves Closer to a Public Bus Station

Key committee approves plan to purchase and renovate Chicago’s old Greyhound Station, kicking off the process to rejuvenate intercity bus service for the 21st century

By Lena Guerrero Reynolds, Communications & Policy Advocate

May 18 Update: Today, the Chicago City Council Finance Committee passed three amendments that lay the groundwork for a new public intercity bus station. By adjusting the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district just west of the Loop to encompass the property, it opens a funding for the city to purchase and renovate. The full city council will vote on Wednesday May 20. After that, the ordinances to acquire and operate the station should come up for a vote in Mid-June.

Apr 16 original post: This was a big week for Chicago’s intercity bus future. After years of uncertainty over the fate of our downtown bus station, we finally have a long-term solution in sight. The City of Chicago is moving forward to purchase and renovate the facility, which will save existing bus service AND improve amenities, safety, and travel connections for the future. ELPC and partners testified to the Chicago Community Development Commission this Tuesday in support of the new station plan. We will be tracking this process over the coming months as it moves through the City Council next.

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What’s the plan?

Depaul Chaddick Institute Rendering of what Chicago's Intercity bus station could look like after renovation and refresh

Depaul Chaddick Institute rendering of what potential renovation. Click to see more.

In 2024, when Chicago’s downtown bus station was at risk of closing, a coalition of advocates called on the city to save the station and save riders from getting kicked to the curb. The private equity firm that currently owns the building worked out a month-to-month lease to keep Greyhound operating. But more importantly, the city listened and started making moves to purchase and renovate the old station, so additional bus companies can utilize the station and expand service. The City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development, Fleet & Facilities Management, Department of Transportation, and Department of Finance have been working together for months to get plans in place, and they really got the ball rolling this week.

Map of chicago's amended canal/congress tax increment financing district, which is a squigly shape west of the river, east of the 90/94 highway, and north of Harrison street.

Canal/Congress TIF. Dashed line indicates Greyhound station.

It starts with the funding. Chicago’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF) program allows communities to tackle blight and redevelop important amenities by pooling growing tax revenue within a specific boundary. The Canal/Congress TIF district on the near west loop spans wards 28 (Ervin) and 34 (Conway), and by extending it south one block to cover the station then TIF money could fund the purchase and renovation. On Tuesday, the Chicago Community Development Commission reviewed the plan to adjust the TIF district and acquire the station, then they heard testimony from the relevant city departments, Alderman Conway, and advocates. In the end, they voted unanimously in support! See below for next steps as it moves on to the City Council.

Read ELPC Testimony

Why does this matter?

Intercity bus is a vital lifeline for Chicagoans and nationwide travelers to access work, family, education, and healthcare. Everyone deserves affordable, sustainable, and accessible transportation, so ELPC has been working with a broad coalition of organizations to raise the alarm about this issue. Here are a few words we read aloud at the meeting on why buses matter:

Map of Midwestern cities shows an extensive web of intercity bus connections, radiating out from Chicago.

Midwestern Intercity Bus Network

“A city owned intercity bus station/terminal is a critical keystone in a robust Midwest network of bus connections. Rural populations are extremely dependent on intercity bus connections for access to a plethora of services not limited to health, education, and family connections. Chicago owns two airports. Its time the city owns a bus terminal.” W. Robert Schultz III, Active Transportation Alliance

“Chicago’s intercity bus terminal is a critical part of our transportation system – and for many is the only option connecting them to and from Chicago and communities across the United States. Municipal ownership of the station is an opportunity for Chicago to be a national leader, demonstrating clearly that we understand the value and necessity of our interconnectedness.” Kyle Lucas, Better Streets Chicago

“Bus station improvements are crucial for safety for everyone from elders to students, who rely on public transit for all aspects of their living: work, doctors’ appointments, school, etc. We must come to understand that those who rely on public transit deserve safety and comfort, every day, every trip.” Reverend Veronica M. Johnson, Endeleo Institute

“About 30% of Chicago’s pollution comes from transportation, with cars and trucks being a major part. We can tackle the climate crisis by investing in accessible public transit infrastructure to make our cities more walkable, bikeable and transit friendly. A better bus station would ensure that everyone has access to public transit as we move away from a car dependent society.” Tanya Sheth, Sierra Club Chicago

“It matters because there are people across the city, not just my community who likes to travel, but by bus only. Other modes of transportation (train/plane) may not be affordable; [the bus is] easier for domestic violence victims to flee their abusers when seeking help.” Rochelle Jackson, North Lawndale Community Development Commission

“Illinois is the backbone of sexual and reproductive health care in the Midwest and across the nation, seeing more patients traveling here for care than any other state. As such, it’s imperative that we have the necessary infrastructure, so all patients seeking access to sexual, reproductive, and gender-affirming health care don’t face unnecessary barriers or transportation challenges. Planned Parenthood Illinois Action supports efforts to ensure Chicago maintains a centrally located and intermodally connected terminal for reliable intercity bus service so people can access the care they need and deserve.” Mike Ziri, Planned Parenthood Illinois Action

“Garfield Park is one of Chicago’s most transit-connected communities, yet nearly 38% of households do not own a vehicle and depend on public transportation to get where they need to go. Expanding high-quality intercity bus service is an essential step toward ensuring residents of Garfield Park — and communities across Chicago — have access to safe, reliable, and affordable long-distance travel to connect with jobs, family, and opportunity.” Mike Thomas, Garfield Park Community Council

What are the next steps?

May 18 Updated: The ordinances to approve the adjusted TIF district passed the City Council Finance Committee unanimously today, then they go before the full city council on Wednesday May 20. The acquisition ordinance will be introduced that same day, May 20, then go to the Finance Committee and Full City Council in June.

ELPC and our partners are starting to have conversations with aldermanic staff across the city to share the importance of this travel hub and the opportunities possible under municipal ownership. Click here to send an email to your alderperson.

Take Action to Save the Station

What kind of improvements can we expect with a fresh new station?

Lena Guerrero Reynolds,

Communications & Policy Advocate

Lena Guerrero Reynolds is the Communications & Policy Advocate at ELPC, where she works to educate our supporters with our impact and advance clean transportation opportunities across the Midwest.