Metra announced on Apr. 28 that it will launch Operation Lifesaver Safety Blitzes at 41 train stations across the six-county region beginning in May, as part of ongoing efforts to raise awareness about safe behavior around trains and tracks.
The initiative aims to address the importance of rail safety, especially at stations considered ‘high risk’ due to reported near misses and incidents. A safety blitz is scheduled for the Brookfield Metra Station at 8858 Burlington Ave. on the morning of Tuesday, July 14.
During these events, Metra employees will distribute educational materials about train and grade crossing safety, answer questions from commuters, and listen to riders’ concerns. Local police, fire officials, and other public representatives are also invited to participate. “Safety is always Metra’s highest priority,” said Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski. “Safety blitzes allow us to reach our customers directly to ensure that they understand the need to stay vigilant about safety anytime they’re around the railroad. This year we’re focusing on stations that we’ve deemed ‘high risk’ due to the number of reports of near misses and incidents at these locations.”
Illinois has more than 7,300 miles of railroad track and over 10,000 public rail crossings. In 2025, Illinois ranked fifth nationally in train versus vehicle collisions at highway rail crossings and third in trespassing fatalities. According to preliminary Federal Railroad Administration statistics for 2025, there were 25 deaths and 43 injuries in grade crossing incidents statewide; another 44 people died while trespassing along railroad right-of-way.
To further promote rail safety awareness and reduce preventable injuries or deaths, Metra develops an annual schedule of such blitzes throughout Chicago’s metropolitan area. The current schedule can be found online.
Brookfield’s Village Hall serves as the main administrative hub for residents seeking municipal services such as permits or utility payments according to the official website. The local government coordinates departments like Public Works and Police according to its website, offering civic administration focused on public works projects, code enforcement activities, property maintenance oversight as well as licensing according to its website. Brookfield oversees residents within village boundaries by supplying regulations and responding to community requests as reported by its official site.
Metra’s program also includes new outreach efforts targeting schools near tracks this year with volunteers distributing materials outside school buildings. Additional enforcement blitzes will be conducted by Metra Police where citations may be issued for ignoring gates or warning devices.
Operation Lifesaver is a national organization providing free education programs about safe behavior near tracks through partnerships with various agencies.
