The Chicago Transit Board today approved an intergovernmental agreement between the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and Cook County Health (CCH) to install vending machines that will dispense free Naloxone at five rail stations. Naloxone is an FDA-approved nasal spray that can rapidly reverse an opioid overdose.
“We know these machines can save lives and it’s important that we continue to build upon the partnerships we’ve developed to expand access to these critical, harm-reduction resources,” said CTA Acting President Nora Leerhsen. “Since the first Naloxone dispenser launched at our 95th/Dan Ryan Red Line terminal, we've seen firsthand how valuable access to these resources can be and what a critical difference they can make towards ensuring a safer system for everyone.”
Five vending machines will be installed at the following CTA rail stations:
- Jefferson Park (Blue Line)
- Harlem/Lake (Green Line)
- 47th Street (Red Line)
- Howard (Red/Purple/Yellow Line)
- Central Park (Pink Line)
These locations were strategically selected based on geographic analysis highlighting areas of heightened opioid-related emergency medical responses and community input.
“Naloxone is safe and easy to use, making it possible for anyone to save the life of a person experiencing an opioid overdose. In recent years, public health efforts have focused on expanding community access, and we believe this has contributed to the regional decline in fatal opioid overdoses. We are grateful to partner with CTA to get this life-saving medication into more hands.” said Dr. Erik Mikaitis, CCH CEO.
CCH is committed to expanding pathways to substance use disorder treatment, support and recovery. Reducing overdose deaths is a key objective of the Regional Behavioral Health Strategic Plan released in May 2025 by the Cook County Office of Behavioral Health, a department of CCH. The Cook County Office of Behavioral Health was established in 2023 to address the behavioral health needs of residents and serve as a convener to enhance access to care.
The new vending machines are part of a six-month pilot with options to extend based on performance and community impact assessments. CCH will invest a projected $100,000 to cover the costs related to the procurement, installation, servicing, and operation of the machines. The vending machines are planned to be installed later this fall.
This partnership with CCH expands on CTA’s existing pilot with the Chicago Department of Public Health in which a similar vending machine was installed at the 95th/Dan Ryan Terminal in late 2023. The existing pilot vending machine offers free general health and hygiene products, and other critical harm-reduction supplies to individuals experiencing substance abuse, homelessness, or other vulnerabilities.
The introduction of public health vending machines aligns with CTA’s ongoing commitment to providing safe and accessible transit services, while also addressing broader community health and wellness needs.
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