Illinois
Chicago Transit Recovery Trails Behind Other Major US Cities
Sluggish ridership rates and staffing shortages are dampening recovery. Looming budget gaps could make things even worse.
Proposed Legislation Would Consolidate Chicago Transit Agencies
State lawmakers say the move could cut down on competition and make regional transit more efficient for riders.
Divvy Introduces E-Bike Charging Docks
New, circular docks let e-bikes charge at stations, eliminating the need for frequent battery swaps.
Chicago Awarded $2M Reconnecting Communities Grant
Community advocates say the city’s plan may not do enough to reverse the negative impacts of a major expressway.
‘Cut the Tape’ Report Takes Aim at Inefficiencies
A set of recommendations from the Chicago mayor’s office calls for streamlining city processes to stimulate more residential and commercial development.
Chicago Trains Make More Room for Bikes
Since Metro launched a new bike-friendly policy in February, the number of bikes on its trains rose by 70 percent.
Chicago to Turn High-Rise Offices into Housing
Four commercial buildings in the Chicago Loop have been approved for redevelopment into housing in a bid to revitalize the city’s downtown post-pandemic.
Report: One-Third of Vacant Lots in Chicago Near Transit
Vacant lots pose challenges for the city’s goals of promoting transit-oriented development.
RTA Calls for Bus Lanes on Chicago Bridge Project
The regional authority is asking the city to add dedicated bus lanes to a bridge over the Chicago River that serves a high number of bus commuters.
Downtown Chicago Vacancy Rates at All-Time High, Slashing Building Values
Record vacancy rates and the high cost of borrowing money are fueling a commercial real estate crisis in downtown Chicago.
Chicago Readies Region for EV Charging
Chicago-area municipalities can take advantage of a new grant program to prepare their infrastructure for electric vehicles.
Chicago Rail Will Allow Bikes on All Trains
Metra will make its Covid-era bike policy permanent and install bike racks to accommodate more bikes on train cars.
Chicago Rat Hole Becomes Viral Urban Sensation
The rodent-shaped sidewalk imprint has captured hearts and imaginations on social media but has proven a headache for neighbors.
What Drives the High Cost of Affordable Housing
A combination of ineffective funding mechanisms, strict building regulations, and inflation are pushing per-unit construction costs higher.
Chicago Train Track Heaters Put on Fiery Show
Metra workers are lighting up heaters designed to prevent train equipment from malfunctioning, making the tracks look ablaze with fire.
Advocates Champion the Great Western Trail
A Chicago walking and biking trail along a former railroad right-of-way has been a labor of love for local residents.
Commentary: A Vision for Responsible Neighborhood Revitalization
The first project under Chicago’s Woodlawn Housing Preservation Ordinance is taking shape, aiming to bring new housing and retail to the neighborhood while avoiding displacement.
Modular Homes Make Housing More Affordable in Chicago
Cheaper and faster to construct, modular homes provide an affordable alternative to traditional new construction for low- and moderate-income residents on Chicago’s South Side.
Chicago Announces ‘Better Streets for Buses’ Plan
The plan establishes a ‘toolkit’ of improvements to make the bus riding experience more reliable, comfortable, and accessible.
Chicago Red Line Extension Could Transform the South Side
The city’s transit agency is undertaking its biggest expansion ever to finally bring rail to the South Side.
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
