Ordinances passed by the City of Chicago, requiring the railroads to elevate their trackage. Ordinances are listed chronologically at the Chicago Track Elevation page, which contains a more comprehensive background on track elevation in Chicago.
Ordinances are listed sequentially along the line, along with further commentary.
Central Station to 47th St.
July 21, 1919
Ordinance for development of Lakefront land south of downtown Chicago, between Roosevelt Rd. and 47th St. In that area, the Illinois Central line had been immediately next to Lake Michigan. The plan called for construction for new park land east of the railroad. The park land would be accessed via several new viaducts over the railroad, and a subway under the railroad at 47th St. The most significant requirement of this ordinance, was the electrification of all Illinois Central operations, initially with the commuter service. This would eliminate the smoke pollution from the steam locomotives. The commuter service was electrified in 1926. But with the later development of diesel locomotives, the electrification was not carried out for the through passenger and freight trains.
51st St. to 67th St.
May 23, 1892
Ordinance for elevation of Illinois Central from 51st St. to 67th St., in preparation of 1893 World's Fair. Deadline for completion May 1, 1893.
67th St. to 79th St.
September 29, 1902
Ordinance for elevation of paralleling Lake Shore & Michigan Southern and Pittsburgh Fort Wayne & Chicago from 73rd St. to Stony Island Ave., for elevation of Nickel Plate Road from 76th St. to 79th St., and elevation of Illinois Central from 67th St. to 79th St. Deadline for completion December 31, 1907. Ordinance amended November 25, 1907, extending deadline for completion to December 31, 1908. Ordinance amended June 28, 1909, providing for grade separation of railroads at Grand Crossing, and extending deadline for completion to December 31, 1910. Ordinance amended December 19, 1910, extending deadline for completion to December 31, 1911. Ordinance amended December 18, 1911, extending deadline for completion to December 31, 1912.
93rd St.
March 6, 1893
Ordinance for underpass on Illinois Central at 93rd St., for Calumet Electric Street Railway. Deadline for completion September 6, 1893.
79th St. to Kensington
April 5, 1911
Ordinance for elevation of Illinois Central from 79th St. to Kensington, for elevation of Nickel Plate Road from 79th St. to Pullman Jct., for elevation of paralleling Chicago & Western Indiana and Belt Railway of Chicago and Rock Island South Chicago Line from State St. to Pullman Jct. and the latter two railroads beyond to Jeffery Ave., and elevation of Chicago & Western Indiana Dolton Branch from 111th St. to Kensington. Ordinance provided for alternate plans depending on whether railroads would agree to grade separate their crossings, including Pullman Jct. which did not become grade separated. Deadline for completion Illinois Central south portion December 31, 1916, Chicago & Western Indiana and Belt Railway of Chicago and Rock Island December 31, 1918, and Illinois Central and Nickel Plate Road December 31, 1921.
130th St.
March 11, 1925
Ordinance for elevation of Illinois Central at 130th St. Deadline for completion December 31, 1925.