Red Line reroute ‘smooth sailing’ on Sunday, but true test comes Monday

In 17 years of riding the Red Line South to her housekeeping job downtown, Stephanie Williams can count on one hand the number of times she has been late for work. “I’m giving myself a whole bunch of grace time,” said Williams, 45, as she headed to work Sunday morning. She got a pleasant surprise: Her new route took only 10 minutes longer than her usual route. And the shuttle bus and train ride were free.

• SPECIAL REPORT: CPS closings create school zone, danger zone

  

  Like his classmates, Jaleel isn’t expected to finish 8th grade at Yale. CPS plans on shuttering the school, one of a record 54 the district says are under enrolled. If the closing plan is approved, CPS would send Jaleel and his classmates more than five blocks south to the Harvard School of Excellence. The difference between going to Harvard and Yale — and between other schools shutting down and the ones opening their doors to those students — is more than a matter of yards or blocks. Many parents fear their kids’ new routes will be more treacherous.

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