The Many Nicknames for Chicago's Elevated Railway

The el/El/L debate has never been resolved, but the CTA says its usage is the correct one.

1 minute read

June 1, 2019, 5:00 AM PDT

By Camille Fink


CTA Chicago

Daniel Schwen / Wikimedia Commons

Edward McClelland surveys the various references to Chicago’s elevated rail system over the years. Authors writing about Chicago—including James T. Farrell, Nelson Algren, and Gwendolyn Brooks—have called it a variety of names: the el, the El, and the L.

But the Chicago Transit Authority is clear about what it considers the right name. "The term 'el' can be short for 'elevated railway' generically, but our system has used 'L' since the 1890s. This proper, official nickname extends to elevated, at-grade, and underground tracks, and is used on official CTA materials."

McClelland notes that using L can confuse readers and El probably makes more sense. "In New York City, which assigns letters to its subway routes, the L train runs from Eighth Avenue in Manhattan to Rockaway Park in Brooklyn. (Also, in Chicago, the letter L has the negative connotation of appearing on blue flags after Cubs losses.)"

Thursday, May 16, 2019 in Chicago Magazine

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of Donald Shoup during interview.

Legendary Parking Guru Donald Shoup Dies at 86

Urbanists are mourning the loss of a dynamic voice for parking reform and walkable cities.

February 10, 2025 - StreetsBlog NYC

Red 1972 Ford Pinto with black racing stripes on display with man sitting in driver's seat.

Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto

The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.

February 11, 2025 - Mother Jones

Close-up of smartphone with USDOT website pulled up and screen with USDOT logo in background.

DOT Memo Directs Transportation Funding to Communities With Higher Marriage and Birth Rates, Compliance with Immigration Officials and No Mask Mandates

The memo ties immigration enforcement to federal funding and prohibits mask or vaccine mandates.

February 5, 2025 - Huffpost

View of Seattle skyline on clear sunny day with Space Needle on left and Mount Rainier in the background.

Housing Measure Wins in Seattle Special Election

Voters approved a new tax that could bring in $50 million per year for social housing.

February 16 - King 5 News

Wildfire recovery area with small trees growing in burn areas in Angeles National Forest in California.

Resilient Communities, Healthy Ecosystems: A Balanced Approach to Wildfires

Effective wildfire mitigation in California requires a holistic approach that goes beyond large-scale vegetation removal, emphasizing home hardening, defensible space, strategic planning, and reducing human-caused ignitions.

February 16 - UCLA Sustainable LA Grand Challenge

Two-way protected bike lane on wide street in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida with high-riise buildings in background.

St. Petersburg’s Bike Infrastructure Efforts Pay Off

New bike infrastructure is encouraging more people to take to the streets on two wheels, but advocates say safety challenges remain.

February 16 - The Crow's Nest

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.