To clarify: the buses are in effect on weekends. On weekdays, trains run at <15 mph in the Milwaukee subway (Division to Clark/Lake), which adds about 2-4 minutes to travel times. Those going to Near North hotels on weekends might just want to flag a cab at the Western "L", since you're already most of the way into the city.

The earlier work in the Milwaukee subway was safety work and emergency repairs; this work replaces the remaining tracks and ties. It had been scheduled to take place in a few years, but then some money fell from the sky...