Illinois

Nick Gillespie bemoans the loss of urban character in the nation's major cities.

September 4, 2006 - The Los Angeles Times

Two Illinois counties make the top 25 in U.S. Census Bureau's latest analysis of commuting times. Chicago's average commuting time of 34.3 minutes was second only to New York's time of 39.1 minutes.

August 31, 2006 - The Chicago Tribune

Recent announcements from big box retailers withdrawing or delaying plans to build stores in the city have given pause to supporters of controversial living wage ordinance, with some considering withdrawing their support.

August 18, 2006 - The Wall Street Journal

Chicago's walk buttons are connected to traffic signals, but in places like New York, 80% of walk buttons are disconnected.

August 15, 2006 - The Chicago Tribune

Mayor Gavin Newsom wants more for the City of San Francisco. After a recent trip to Chicago, the mayor has hopes of bringing some of that city's character out to the West coast. He says Chicago should be the model for what San Francisco could be.

August 15, 2006 - The San Francisco Chronicle

After over a century of being cut off from Lake Michigan, the southeast side is gearing up for the newest, largest development project in years in the sleepy, working-class neighborhood of South Chicago.

August 8, 2006 - Crain's Chicago Business

In an effort to compete with discount chains that appeal to a more urbane demographic, Wal-Mart may change its store format for a new Chicago area store.

August 2, 2006 - The Chicago Tribune

Chicago's City Council passed a landmark ordinance yesterday that requires big-box stores to pay a minimum wage of $10 per hour by 2010 plus $3 an hour worth of benefits.

July 31, 2006 - The New York Times

Can cities get back in touch with nature? Planners, developers, architects, and policy makers convened in Los Angeles June 7 to face the challenge and develop a plan of action to help bring life onto the rooftops of L.A.'s downtown.

July 27, 2006 - Nate Berg

The state will provide financial incentives to businesses who locate near transit and affordable housing.

July 20, 2006 - The New Standard

Life in a community of freed slaves is mapped and documented by young descendents.

July 19, 2006 - The Chicago Tribune

Chicago area communities restore brick streets for aesthetics and traffic-calming.

July 18, 2006 - The Chicago Tribune

Filling empty Chicago rooftops with plants seemed a little strange six years ago when Mayor Richard Daley installed a garden on the roof of city hall. But now more than 200 buildings in Chicago boast rooftop gardens, and the trend is spreading.

July 14, 2006 - The Christian Science Monitor

The new website provides information and a forum for residents to give feedback on transportation funding.

July 10, 2006 - The Chicago Tribune

As large McMansions move into suburban areas, many of the smaller older houses are being pushed out of the neighborhood by higher taxes, or by demolition to make room for larger homes.

July 4, 2006 - The Chicago Tribune

Inspired by European biking models, the "Bike 2015 Plan" envisions a city flooded with bicycle commuters using a well-developed infrastructure within 10 years.

June 12, 2006 - The Chicago Tribune

Urban planner Kyle Ezell has developed a course to teach suburbanites the "skills" required for downtown living. It promotes the "ruppie", or "retired urban people" lifestyle.

June 7, 2006 - The Chicago Tribune

Modernist park design inspires modernist residential buildings, increasing real estate values in Chicago's East Loop.

June 6, 2006 - The New York Times

Formed with the help of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and legions of African Americans discriminated against during the Civil Rights era, the agency that helped pass the federal Fair Housing Act will close.

June 3, 2006 - Chicago Sun Times

Wal-Mart, Home Depot, and other big box stores could pay Chicago employees a "living wage" as early as next month.

June 2, 2006 - The New York Times