Illinois

Row of brick townhomes in Chicago

Chicago’s ‘Teardown Tax’ Slowing the Loss of Two-Flats

A demolition fee designed to preserve affordable housing in older buildings has had some impact on the city’s housing supply.

December 15, 2022 - Bloomberg CityLab

CTA Red Line

Update: Chicago Red Line Extension TIF Approved

The long-anticipated project that will bring the Chicago Transit Authority rail system into transit deserts on the Southside of Chicago is making substantial progress.

December 14, 2022 - WBEZ

Bus Priority Zones

Chicago Makes ‘Pop-Up’ Bus Lanes Permanent

Even with the addition of 3.5 miles of permanent bus-only lanes, Chicago trails other cities in miles of dedicated bus lanes.

December 12, 2022 - Streetsblog Chicago

CHicago elevated train passing by brick buildings

Chicago Transit Faces Steep Budget Gap

The region’s transit riders could see major fare hikes and reduced service if agencies don’t find new ways to make up for reduced fare revenues.

December 11, 2022 - Smart Cities Dive

Trump Sign

Chicago Tribune Editorial Board Calls for Removal of the Trump Sign

“A deal’s a deal,” wrote the former president of the sign in 2014. The same former president has since called for the “termination of all rules, regulations, and articles, even those found in the Constitution.”

December 8, 2022 - The Chicago Tribune

Two Chicago elevated trains with city buildings in background

Scorecard Will Track Chicago Transit Recovery

A new scorecard from the Chicago Transit Authority will update the public on the agency’s progress on key issues like service delivery, frequency, and infrastructure improvements.

October 25, 2022 - Streetsblog Chicago

Vacant lot in Chicago, Illinois with skyline in background

Chicago To Boost Vacant Lot Sales Program

The city hopes its incentives to buyers will help convert the thousands of city-owned vacant lots into housing, green space, or other productive uses.

October 19, 2022 - Bloomberg CityLab

People waiting at a Chicago bus stop

Electric ‘Jitneys’ Seek to Close Last-Mile Gaps

Two companies focusing on hyper-local trips want to bring more transit and services within reach of Chicago’s underserved Black neighborhoods.

October 5, 2022 - NextCity

Miami and Key Biscayne

The Great American Exodus: A Conservative's Perspective

During his keynote speech on September 11 at the National Conservatism Conference in Miami, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis describes the demographic shifts in America since he became governor in 2019 in what he calls the 'Great American Exodus.'

September 27, 2022 - The Wall Street Journal

Street Construction

Opinion: Traffic Calming Shouldn’t Be Optional

Road infrastructure that fails to make dangerous driving behavior feel risky to drivers is ineffective in protecting pedestrians and people on bikes.

September 21, 2022 - Streetsblog Chicago

Aerial view of homes west of downtown Chicago, Illinois

Chicago ADUs Concentrated in More Affluent Neighborhoods

An analysis of city-issued permits shows that homeowners in gentrified wards are building accessory dwelling units at much higher rates than those in less well-off communities.

September 18, 2022 - Chicago Sun-Times

Chicago Transit Authority

The Role of Segregation in Traffic Deaths

Research from Chicago suggests that the city’s traffic calming infrastructure is concentrated in the most affluent neighborhoods, contributing to higher rates of road deaths in lower-income neighborhoods.

September 16, 2022 - WTTW

A rider waits on the platform of the Sox-35th station on the CTA Red Line in Chicago.

Chicago’s Red Line Extension Environmental Review Complete

The Red Line Extension on Chicago’s South Side could be a game changer, if the city can figure out the local funding.

September 7, 2022 - Mass Transit

Chicago Commuter Rail

Alternative Railroad Electrification

Rather than building costly overhead electrification infrastructure to convert a Chicago-area commuter rail line from polluting diesel power to emission-free electricity, the Metra Board of Directors chose a far less expensive and quicker route.

August 28, 2022 - Metra

Chicago Suburb

Chicago Renters Struggling to Afford Housing

Experts have little hope that growing rent costs will stabilize anytime soon.

August 24, 2022 - Chicago Tribune

A image of the World's Columbian Exposition overlayed with a picture of Keanu Reeves in the rain from the movie Point Break.

Keanu Reeves Set to Play Daniel Burnham in ‘The Devil in the White City’

Planning is going to get a new level of star power as a limited series adaptation of The Devil in the White City gets ready for television screens in 2024.

August 8, 2022 - Reel Chicago

Chicago Train Station

Chicago Passes Equitable TOD Ordinance

The new legislation will promote more development near transit in the city’s underserved neighborhoods and improve safety for pedestrians and other road users.

July 25, 2022 - City of Chicago

Window air conditioner units on a brick building

Protecting Urban Residents From Extreme Heat

With temperatures reaching record highs in cities around the country, local officials are implementing measures to ensure vulnerable residents have adequate cooling.

July 24, 2022 - Next City

Runner passing the Chicago Theater are blurred as they pass by the camera for a race on the streets of Downtown Chicago.

Nascar Set to Race the Streets of Chicago Starting in 2023

Nascar races are a series of loops. Chicago has The Loop. Chicago also has a heated debate about traffic safety that probably doesn't have room for sponsored cars doing speeds upward of 100.

July 21, 2022 - Forbes

A conceptual rendering of the Wild Mile river restoration shows newly built docks and walkways and greenery along the Chicago River.

North Branch of the Chicago River Transforming Into a ‘Wild Mile’

A remarkable transformation is underway along the North Branch of the Chicago River, after being channelized and brutalized for well over a century.

July 20, 2022 - Fast Company

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.