As reported in Crain's Chicago Business, Finkl Steel has been sold and will shut down their plant at Cortland and the river where they have operated since 1902. This event will mark the end of operations on the Deerline Line.

A new shortline, the Chicago Terminal Railroad, is set to take over operations from CP Rail on the former Milwaukee Road lines later this month. Chicago Terminal Railroad is part of the Chicago-based Iowa Eastern holding company which operates other shortlines.