WHEREAS, the City of Chicago observes October 30th as a day of remembrance for the victims of the deadly train crash of Monday, October 30, 1972 at 7:35 a.m. Central Standard time, which is the 50th Anniversary of the incident. On this day we honor the victims ofthis tragedy, expressing heartfelt condolences to the many families of those killed and for the survivors; and
WHEREAS, on Monday, October 30, 1972 at 7:35 a.m. Central Standard time, a tragic train accident occurred when two Illinois Central trains, carrying hundreds of passengers, collided at rush hour; and
WHEREAS, both trains were headed northbound when the rear car of a new double decker train, number 416, was hit by the lead car of an older train, number 720, near the 27th Street station causing devastating damage; and
WHEREAS, the National Transportation Safety Board determined that before the crash, the double decker was backing up after overshooting the 27th Street station; and
WHEREAS, train #720 was an express train and was not scheduled to stop; and
WHEREAS, the NTSB concluded the engineer of #720 was traveling at about 40 mph when it smashed into the rear of #416--seeing the lead train too late; and
WHEREAS, the two trains were carrying passengers from the suburbs and South Side of Chicago to downtown; and
WHEREAS, 44 people lost their lives; and 350 people were injured-- marking it as the worst railroad disaster in Chicago history; and the worst rail crash in the country since 1958; and
WHEREAS, the emotional toll of the crash was profoundly felt throughout the nation effecting countless families and loved ones; and
WHEREAS, we also pay tribute to the heroic actions of the first responders who worked tirelessly with vigor and diligence to rescue victims and administer life saving procedures to hundreds of passengers; and
WHEREAS, the crash occurred about 200 yards from Michael Reese Hospital Complex and within minutes doctors and nurses reached the crash site and climbed through wreckage to treat the victims, and
WHEREAS, many of those passengers alive today still experience painful memories and physical reminders of the catastrophe; and
WHEREAS, although no public memorial was held at the time, the memory ofthis accident, and the lives lost or changed forever, should be remembered and preserved for history; and therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Mayor, City Council, and City of Chicago will honor the victims and their families as they continue to deal with the aftereffects of the tragedy. We do hereby recognize October 30, 2022 be named a Day of Remembrance marking the 50th Anniversary of the Illinois Central Train Wreck of 1972; and therefore
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the survivors, victims, and the descendants impacted by the Illinois Central Train Wreck of 1972 shall be presented with a copy of this resolution in order to commemorate this day and the actions the City of Chicago is taking to honor their lives.
Sophia D. King 4th ward