Matteson Evacuations Underway Following Train Derailment (Matteson, IL) —UPDATE: The evacuations have been lifted and there is no danger to the community.
Investigators determined the leak was a small amount of a plastic substance that officials said would evaporate without any issue. The cause of the derailment is not yet known.
A train derailed in Matteson, IL today, leading to evacuations of the east side of the village in southern Cook County.
Businesses and residents located in about a one mile radius surrounding the derailment, which occurred at around 217th Street and Main Street, have been ordered to evacuate. At least one of the roughly twenty-five derailed rail cars has a suspected leak. According to Canadian Railroad, the rail cars were carrying various substances. It is not known if the substances contain any harmful chemicals.
Metra has also announced that Train #122, which was scheduled to depart University Park at 11:55 AM, was affected and did not depart the station.
Any updates will be made available.
Matteson Evacuations Underway Following Train Derailment