Illinois
Chicago Commute Times Could Double Without New Transit Funding
A dire warning from regional transit leaders paints a bleak scenario for traffic if agencies are forced to cut service.
Site of Race Riot in Springfield, Illinois, Designated as National Monument
President Biden has designated the site of the 1908 Springfield race riot as a national monument, honoring its historical significance.
Chicago Transit Advocates Rally Against ‘Redefine the Drive’ Plan
Current plans don’t include transit, pedestrian infrastructure, or new connections to the lakefront park.
Even in ‘Food Deserts,’ Independent Grocers Struggle to Survive
Government support has helped open stores in underserved communities, but cost and scale make it difficult for small businesses to survive long-term.
Chicago Towers Recommended for Adaptive Reuse
Once slated for demolition, two historic buildings owned by the federal government will be restored for new uses.
Chicago Rail Extension Gains New Federal Funding
The Biden administration has committed over $700 million to the massive project which will bring rail to the Far South Side of the city.
Midwest Connect Train Project Moves Ahead
The proposed rail line would connect Chicago to Pittsburgh.
Chicago Pumps the Brakes on BRT
City officials say funding for dedicated bus lanes could take years, but other improvements could speed up bus service.
Chicago Transit Report Calls for Income-Based Fares, Paratransit Funding
An RTA report highlights a need for state funding to bridge an imminent $730 budget shortfall, calling for an approach that relies less heavily on fare revenue.
Chicago Transit Leaders Oppose Merger Legislation, Pleading for More Funding
Ahead of a multi-million dollar fiscal cliff in 2026, CTA, Metra, and Pace pushed back on a potential merger at the first of several hearings to determine their futures in the wake of decreased ridership.
Chicago Tenants’ Union Distributes AC Units to Low-Income Renters
The group wants to draw attention to the dangers of extreme heat and encourage tenants to organize to demand improved conditions.
New Chicago-to-St. Paul Amtrak Line Makes Profit in First Months
The Borealis line provided more than 18,500 rides since its first trips in May.
Chicago Transit Ridership Continues to Grow
The city’s three regional agencies are seeing ridership reaching 64 percent of 2019 levels.
Chicago Announces First Five ‘Better Streets for Buses’ Corridors
The CTA will develop a series of options for improving bus service on key transit corridors.
Study: Road Pricing Could Boost Chicago Transit
A combination of road pricing and adjustments to transit service could let the CTA lower fares to ‘next to nothing.’
Chicago: An Urban Planner's Guide to the City
Famous for its skyscrapers, city parks, and influential planners like Daniel Burnham, the Windy City has a long urban planning legacy. But it’s got plenty of modern-day planning wins and challenges too.
St. Paul-to-Chicago Borealis Rail Line Launches
The Amtrak service, 12 years in the making, doubles the number of available trips on the corridor.
Study: Loss of Public Transit in Chicago Would Have ‘Severe’ Mobility, Economic Consequences
The first-of-it’s kind study found that without public transit, Chicago would lose an estimated $35 billion in economic activity annually and the quality of life of residents, particularly women and low-income groups, would take a major hit.
Chicago Considers Sidewalk Snow Removal Pilot
The program would keep sidewalks clear of snow in areas with heavy foot traffic, but some aldermen say it would cost too much.
Chicago Leads Nation in Biking Growth
Cycling as a mode share grew faster in the Windy City over the last five years than in any other major U.S. metropolis.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
