I am a kid who lives in River Forest. I’ve lived here my whole life and really care about what happens in my community. I like taking the el and going into the city on adventures. I understand that trains of all kinds can help move people around and they are good for many reasons.
I travel a lot with my parents and I know that using a train to get to the airport can help some people.
But the O’Hare Flyer is not the right choice for my community. Let me tell you why.
First, I’m really worried about safety. I’ve grown up walking and riding my bike all over town, including over the tracks on Thatcher. My friends and a lot of other kids do this every day when it’s not too cold out. A high-speed train would travel faster than a car on a freeway, right where me and my friends and family bike and walk. I read that this would happen every 15 minutes! And for the entire day. Lots of horns and gate bells ringing all day. I wouldn’t be able to ride my bike anymore. Kids, and adults too, could get hurt. Any train moving that fast near homes, animals, walkers, and bikers is just unsafe.
Second, I really worry about what this high-speed train will do to our quiet and nice neighborhood and the woods and animals in our town. We have a really peaceful vibe in our city, especially by the Thatcher Woods. I love living here and this train would cut right through the middle of our village and the Thatcher Woods. Our community is special to me because of its trees, parks, homes, and people. I don’t live right on the tracks but I feel really terrible for the people that do. What if a train went through your yard every 15 minutes at such a high speed?
Third, I just don’t understand how this makes sense for even the people who may take this train. This seems to only be for a small group of people who would probably just want to take an Uber or the Blue Line. I think we should invest in communities that already have public transportation. We could improve existing trains, stations, roads, sidewalks, bike paths, and other things so that more people benefit every day. Not just people going up and back between an airport to save a few minutes.
I am not against trains. I love trains. But this train would really damage my town and neighbors. No one in River Forest or Forest Park would get any benefit from this high speed and dangerous train. Before we build something new, I think people should ask: Can we make the transportation we already have better and invest in our communities at the same time?
As a kid, I don’t have all the answers, but I know that my voice matters because this is my community, too. I live here. I want it to be safe.
Jack Drury
River Forest resident
Age 10
The post Why I don’t understand the O’Hare Flyer appeared first on Wednesday Journal.
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September 30, 2026 at 10:27AM
