Elgin is one of three stations on Metra's Milwaukee District West Line in Elgin, Illinois. The station is away from Chicago Union Station, the eastern terminus of the line. In Metra's zone-based fare system, Elgin is in zone H. As of 2018, Elgin is the 116th busiest of Metra's 236 non-downtown stations, with an average of 411 weekday boardings.
As of December 12, 2022, Elgin is served by 44 trains (22 in each direction) on weekdays, by all 24 trains (12 in each direction) on Saturdays, and by all 18 trains (nine in each direction) on Sundays and holidays. All weekend trains originate and terminate here, in addition to three inbound trains originating from here on weekdays.
The station was built by The Milwaukee Road and was a stop on numerous intercity trains, such as the Midwest Hiawatha, Arrow, and Southwest Limited. It was also the terminus station for by more frequent commuter trains to Chicago Union Station, until Metra took over service.
The Elgin Metra station is also proposed as a stop on the Black Hawk, a proposed revival of a former Amtrak train of the same name. However, service to Rockford, Illinois is planned to begin operations in late 2027 with Metra instead of Amtrak.