Illinois

The speedometer on the Chicago to St. Louis train hit 110 mph - and stayed there for five minutes, but it was enough to elevate the spirits of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and the other dignitaries on-board. Normal speeds top out at 79 mph.

October 22, 2012 - The Huffington Post

Preservationists have been outspoken in arguing for the protection of Prentice Women’s Hospital. Rather than bemoan Northwestern University's intransigence in finding a way to reuse the hospital, two powerful figures have put forth a way to save it.

October 18, 2012 - The New York Times

Is the idea of "farming up" really taking off? Vertical farming could yield long-term environmental benefits, but still faces many obstacles.

October 18, 2012 - The Wall Street Journal

The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) has put forth an ambitious congestion-pricing plan for new highway lanes planned on six major roadways across the Chicago metro area in the hopes of building political and public support.

October 17, 2012 - Chicago Tribune

Along a nondescript street in Chicago's gritty West Side, a 1.5-mile stretch of a "historic, industrial artery" has been given a futuristic makeover as the greenest street in the country, and perhaps the world, reports Lori Rotenberk.

October 15, 2012 - Grist

Chicago is seeking funding for a $100 million build-out of the Chicago River riverwalk stretching from State to Lake streets. The City hopes to build another popular destination like Millennium Park.

October 8, 2012 - Chicago Tribune

Chicago's backyards may turn into oases of sustainability with a new program aimed at creating incentives for 'greener' practices in the city's private gardens.

October 5, 2012 - Switchboard

According to Kate Dries, it's not the design that sets apart the plans for Bloomingdale Trail, Chicago's elevated railway to park conversion. The way the project has evolved sets it apart from its east coast cousin and prior efforts.

October 1, 2012 - WBEZ

As Chicago's River North area continues its transformation, the area's historic, behemoth Merchandise Mart has become a hub for high-tech businesses. The adaptive reuse success story was the largest building in the world when it opened in 1930.

September 27, 2012 - The New York Times

Chris Bentley reports on the complex discussions centered around what to do with the sites of two massive coal plants closing this month in Chicago. As Bentley notes, "what happens to these 132 acres in Chicago could have nationwide implications."

September 26, 2012 - The Architect's Newspaper

A study just published in Economic Development Quarterly documents the geographical destruction on local businesses wrought by a new Walmart store, and raises questions about its long-term impact on sales tax revenues, reports Nate Berg.

September 17, 2012 - The Atlantic Cities

This week, the Chicago Department of Transportation unveiled the city's first pedestrian plan, aimed at improving the long-term safety of Chicago's walkers, reports Bridget Doyle.

September 6, 2012 - Chicago Tribune

Chris Fusco and Tina Sfondeles look at the growing rate of bike crashes reported in Chicago over the past decade. As Mayor Rahm Emanuel seeks to make it "the bike friendliest city in the country," can Chicago protect the riders it hopes to attract?

September 4, 2012 - Chicago Sun-Times

In a response to reader a question, Ken Davis goes in search of the factors that lead to Chicago Transit Authority decisions about eliminating or adding bus service.

September 2, 2012 - WBEZ

The tussle over the historic designation of a property owned by a Chicago church exposes the conflicting agendas of politics, property rights, preservation, and constitutional law.

September 2, 2012 - Gapers Block

Without full-time bus-only lanes, signal priority, advanced ticket sales, or all-door boarding, the Chicago Transit Authority's (CTA) tentative first steps aboard Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) may not be so speedy after all.

August 21, 2012 - Chicago Tribune

Mirroring a nationwide trend, office parks in suburban Chicago are emptying out as companies increasingly favor urban locations. As a result, developers and local officials are having to think creatively about possibilities for office park reuse.

August 13, 2012 - Chicago Sun-Times

Steven Yaccino reports on the ongoing controversy over the proposed demolition of Prentice Women's Hospital, designed by famed Chicago architect Bertrand Goldberg, as officials continue to skirt the issue.

August 10, 2012 - The New York Times

Although for seemingly different reasons, Portland-based Alta Bicycle Share is at the center of delays in launching highly-anticipated bike share programs in both Chicago and New York.

August 9, 2012 - Chicago Sun-Times

Art Golab reports on Mayor Rahm Emanuel's plan to make Chicago "the bike friendliest city in the country," which the mayor hopes will attract and keep high tech companies and their workers. The best part? The entire city benefits!

August 8, 2012 - Chicago Sun-Times