Wish granted: Nine-year-old boy takes his family for a ride on CTA train

CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Idris Lockett has a life-threatening heart condition and has endured several surgeries, but on World Wish Day, the 9-year-old’s wish of being a Chicago Transit Authority train operator came true.

Thanks, in part, to Make-A-Wish, Lockett took his family and friends for a spin around the Loop downtown and made a stop at the Washington/Wabash CTA train station. His mother, Catherine Campbell, said it was hard to describe the emotions of the day.

“If anyone knows Idris — we call him ‘hero’ — he absolutely loves the CTA train,” Campbell said. “He’ll pick the CTA train over Chuck E. Cheese any day.”

Jessica Miller, senior communications manager for Make-A-Wish Illinois, said granting Idris’ wish to be a CTA train operator was no easy task.

“Logistically speaking, this is kind of a complicated wish,” Miller said. “There’s a lot of agencies involved. We live in a big city, so there’s a lot of people we need to connect with.”

Lockett enjoyed meeting Chicago police officers and CTA staff members, all of whom were at the platform to greet him and share in his special day.

The next stop for the new CTA operator was a celebration at Union Station.

Said Campbell: “Things can go left and go right, but right now, he’s in a great place. He’s stable. He’s surrounded by a lot of love.”

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