Family of journalist struck, killed at Hegewisch station holding awareness walk for anniversary

Family, friends gather to honor young journalist hit, killed by South Side train last year

Family gathered to honor Grace Bentkowski Friday, 1 year after the young journalist was hit and killed by a South Shore train in Hegewisch.

Family of journalist struck, killed at Hegewisch station holding awareness walk for anniversary

CHICAGO — The family of Grace Bentkowski, a 22-year-old rising journalist struck and killed last summer at the Hegewisch South Shore station, is holding a safety awareness walk Friday. On the afternoon of July 25, 2024, Bentkowski got off her shift at NewsNation downtown, where she worked as a creative producer, and went shopping. She then headed to Millennium Station to take the South Shore line home to Dyer — something she did every work day a…

South Shore Line Press Statement - July 25, 2025

Press Statement: Today marks one year since the tragic accident at Hegewisch Station, where Grace Bentkowski lost her life. Our hearts remain with her family, friends, and loved ones as they continue to navigate this difficult time. Since the accident, the South Shore Line engaged a nationally recognized engineering firm that specializes in grade-crossing diagnostics to conduct a thorough evaluation of our pedestrian at-grade crossings to determ…