Illinois

Accessory Dwelling Unit

The Argument Against Accessory Dwelling Units

Facing the potential for accessory dwelling units to win swift legalization in Chicago inspires one columnist to push back.

May 28, 2020 - Chicago Tribune

Chicago Public Housing

Housing Relief Targets Multi-Family Property Owners in Chicago

The Emergency Relief for Affordable Multifamily Properties Program is designed to keep multi-family property owners from entering default.

May 27, 2020 - Next City

Accessory Dwelling Unit

ADU Ordinance Ready for City Council Scrutiny in Chicago

Chicago residents will have the option of building coach houses or convection units if a new law passes as written through the Chicago City Council.

May 21, 2020 - Chicago Cityscape

Chicago, Illinois

Kanye West Makes More Permitting Trouble in Chicago

Kanye West is renovating his childhood home on the South Side of Chicago, but hasn't always had the permits to do the work until after the fact.

May 19, 2020 - Chicago Tribune

Illinois

Another City Opens Street Space for Restaurants—This Time in Suburban Chicago

Tampa, Brookhaven, Vilnius, Hinsdale. These cities will be the answer to a COVID-themed trivia night some time soon.

May 8, 2020 - Chicago Tribune

great lakes

Report Faults the EPA for Lack of Environmental Enforcement in Great Lakes States

A report by the Environmental Law and Policy Center (ELPC) shows a decrease in environmental enforcement in six Midwest states. The ELPC calls for increased funding. The EPA states the claims errors in data reporting are responsible for the drop.

April 28, 2020 - Urban Milwaukee

Chicken Run

Proposed Ordinance Would Limit Livestock Ownership in Chicago

In an effort to elevate a standard of care for livestock, an ordinance sponsored by Ald. Anthony Napolitano seeks to regulate fowl and livestock animal ownership within city limits.

April 22, 2020 - Chicago Tribune

Helena, Montana

President Trump's Plan to Reopen the Economy Rests with States

After initially saying that he had total authority on how and when to reopen the economy, Trump handed the responsibility to the 50 governors to make their own decisions and offered guidance in the form of a three-phase plan that relies on testing.

April 20, 2020 - The New York Times

Donald Trump

White House Could End 'Slow the Spread' Coronavirus Guidelines

President Trump signaled that he was considering lifting the public health guidelines at the end of the 15-day period on March 30 due to the severe economic impacts caused by containment strategies despite mounting deaths caused by the pandemic.

March 24, 2020 - The Washington Post

Staten Island Ferry

New York and Illinois Follow in California's Footsteps by Declaring Shutdowns

Governors of three of the nation's largest states, containing the three largest cities, have issued emergency orders to slow the spread of COVID-19.

March 22, 2020 - The Washington Post

Accessory Dwelling Unit

Mayor Lightfoot Expected to Push for Legal Coach Houses in Chicago

Mayor Lori Lightfoot is expected to introduce legislation that would relax zoning restrictions on coach houses, known widely as accessory dwelling units, in the city of Chicago.

March 19, 2020 - Chicago Sun-Times

Bus Priority Zones

Camera Enforcement of Bus Lane Scofflaws Proposed in Chicago

A new level of enforcement would keep bus lanes clear in Chicago.

March 19, 2020 - Chicago Sun-Times

People on Bikes and Pedestrians

Bikes Gain Popularity as People Ditch Subways and Buses

Bike counts and bike share rides are increasing in two of the country's largest cities as commuters look for transportation modes that allow for physical distancing.

March 18, 2020 - The New York Times

Hoboken vanity plates

Hoboken First U.S. City to Shut Down Restaurants and Bars and Issue Curfew

Restaurants and bars shut down on Sunday due to the coronavirus. On Monday, a 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew becomes effective. According to a Harvard University public health expert, "Hoboken probably is the model we all need to move towards now."

March 16, 2020 - Insider

Amazon Fulfillment Center

The Architectural Glory of Historic Warehouses

Chicago warehouses were once built with architectural flair, but today’s industrial structures don’t come close.

March 15, 2020 - Chicago Tribune

Chicago Spire

Two Skyline Changing Apartment Towers Proposed to Rise on the Site of Chicago's Failed Spire

An infamous site has new development life after developers returned to the public with a revised project proposal.

March 12, 2020 - Chicago Tribune

Chicago, Illinois

National Shared Mobility Summit Cancelled Due to Coronavirus Fears

Planning conferences are among the events experiencing the effects of Coronavirus mitigation measures.

March 10, 2020 - Chicago Tribune

Basement Apartment

Illinois Could Force Statewide Legislation of Accessory Dwelling Units

State legislation would preempt local governments that block the construction of accessory dwelling units, known locally as coach houses, to increase the supply of affordable housing options in the state.

March 5, 2020 - Crain's Chicago Business

The Windy City

No Slowdown of Out-Migration of Black Residents from Chicago

The city of Chicago continues to see a decline in population, including tens of thousands of African-Americans who have left in recent years.

March 4, 2020 - The New York Times

CTA Bus

Chicago to Pilot All-Door Bus Boarding

Chicago is late to the game on all-door bus boarding, but that will change this summer.

February 25, 2020 - Chicago Tribune

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.