Illinois
Chicago Lags In Transit Toilets
Unlike the stations in many global cities, toilets in Chicago's main transit system are off-limits to most customers. However, plans are developing to install self-cleaning toilets in many of the system's stations.
Suburbs Tell Sidewalks To Hit The Road
In suburbs across Illinois, residents are joining forces to fight against the creation of sidewalks, which they view as a threat to their communities' rural character and their very security.
Public Participation Is Just A Click Away
More and more suburban Illinois communities are streaming their public hearings over the web, enabling more people to follow their local democratic process -- a trend being seen across the country.
Transit Officials Struggle To Convince State For Funding
With little interest from the governor, Illinois transit officials are predicting that budget cuts will dramatically reduce transit service, especially in the suburban Chicago area. They have been unsuccessful in rallying lawmakers to boost funding.
Unlucky Chicago Site May Finally Be Developed
Two new developments may finally bring an end to a long streak of bad luck for a site in downtown Chicago, where projects just couldn't seem to get finished. The city changed its development strategy and is hoping the new projects revive the site.
Façade-ectomy No Substitute For Historic Preservation
The controversial practice of demolishing all but the exterior of a historic building doesn't serve to preserve that past or encourage new architecture, argues architecture critic Blair Kamin.
One Fare Card, Three Transit Systems
Transit officials in Chicago plan to introduce a fare card that riders will be able to use on the city's three public transportation systems.
'Historic Value' Prevents Teardown Of Ranch-Style Home
Preservationists have petitioned the city and stopped a homeowner from tearing down the 1950s ranch-style home he recently purchased, citing the home's historic value.
Historic Preservation Or 'Architectural Taxidermy'?
A number of historic buildings in Chicago are being preserved -- but only on the outside. Developers have bent the rules of preservation to repurpose historic buildings as parking garages and luxury condos while preserving only their facades.
Should Gas Taxes Be Raised To Fund Public Transit?
While public transit trips have been increasing, funding the systems remains a chronic problem, illustrated by the woes facing the Chicago El. This editorial urges Congress to increase the gas tax to provide all transit systems more revenue.
Chicago Gets 3D Glimpse Of Proposed Spire
Santiago Calatrava unveils his Chicago Spire -- slated to be the tallest building in the nation -- in three dimensions to a mostly appreciative audience.
A 'Year of Decision' For Chicago's El System
For Chicago's El, big decisions must be made to modernize the nations' second largest transit system and alleviate it routine budget shortfalls.
First 'Eco-Friendly' Mall Opens In Chicago
The first of its kind development is hoping to transform the booming interest in all things green into, well, green.
Plan Calls For Cemetery To Serve As Park
Developers in Ozark, Illinois have incorporated a historic cemetery into a downtown revitalization project, hoping to create usable open space for the community.
Is Chicago The New 'Green' American City?
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, whose city has typically been recognized for its environmental leadership, recently visited Chicago to observe the pioneering work of Mayor Daley in implementing green building principles and gather new ideas.
Cabrini Green's Dying Breath
Though only a few towers remain from Chicago's notorious Cabrini Green housing project, new and old problems persist.
States And Feds Push Indiana-Illinois Tollway
As part of a federal plan to accelerate the planning of new multistate highway corridors, Indiana is rallying support for a 63-mile, privately-funded tollway to connect the state to neighboring Illinois.
Chicago Transit Authority Board Members Don't Use Mass Transit
Chicago Transit Authority board members prefer to drive, leading the mass transit riding public to think they don't understand system problems.
New SRO Building Gets Starchitect Treatment
Architect Helmut Jahn's design for a new single-room occupancy building on the edge of Chicago's former Cabrini Green project gets high marks, but some criticize the cost of using high-end architects for affordable housing.
Transitway Plan Revived And Revised In Chicago
Chicago Mayor Richard Daley proposed a revised version of a crosstown expressway his father, former Mayor Richard J. Daley, first envisioned almost 30 years ago. The mayor's new plan for a Mid-City Transitway would utilize existing rights of way.
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
