Recent Streetsblog CHICAGO posts about State Policy

Judge in Bobby Cann Case Rules Search Warrant for DUI Blood Draw Was Valid

By John Greenfield | Sep 22, 2016 | 1 Comment

It’s been more than three years since an allegedly drunk, speeding driver took the life of Groupon employee Bobby Cann. The criminal case against driver Ryne San Hamel has been progressing slowly as the defense tries every possible strategy to have charges dropped and evidence ruled inadmissible, but there was a positive developments at yesterday’s […]

Sorry Tribune, the Transportation Lock Box Isn’t a Scam, It’s a Necessity

By John Greenfield | Sep 16, 2016 | 12 Comments

When it comes to opinion pieces about transportation issues, the Chicago Tribune has been publishing some doozies this month. First, in the wake of four bike fatalities allegedly caused by reckless drivers, an editorial in the paper advised cyclists to ride more carefully. Next they ran an op-ed from noted anti-bike crank John McCarron bemoaning […]

Chicago Needs More Street Redesigns to Reduce Pedestrian and Bike Deaths

By Steven Vance and John Greenfield | Jul 8, 2016 | 9 Comments

Last week the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released a report showing that all traffic fatalities increased significantly on U.S. roads from 2014 to 2015, by 7.7 percent to reach 35,200, the worst death toll since the 2008 economic crash. Streetsblog USA’s Angie Schmitt pointed out that, while Americans drove 3.5 percent more during this period, that’s “not […]

Transit TIF Districts Pass State House and Senate, Would Fund CTA Projects

By Steven Vance | Jun 30, 2016 | 32 Comments

A new bill that would generate more funding for four large-scale Chicago transit infrastructure projects, without diverting tax revenues from schools, passed the Illinois House and Senate today. The original bill was introduced in January 2015, spearheaded by the Metropolitan Planning Council. It awaits Governor Bruce Rauner’s signature, who is expected to sign a budget […]

Coalition for a Modern Metra Electric Wants More Service, Fare Integration

By John Greenfield | May 24, 2016 | 9 Comments

Transportation advocacy organizations and community groups have joined forces as the Coalition for a Modern Metra Electric, pushing for improvements to the commuter rail line that could lead to better job access and more economic development on the South Side. They want to see rapid transit-style train frequency, fare and schedule integration with the CTA […]

It’s a Lobby-palooza! Join MPC’s 43 Minutes for $43 Billion Infrastructure Push

By John Greenfield | May 17, 2016 | 1 Comment

Are you ready for (almost three-quarters of) an hour of power? That’s what the Metropolitan Planning Council has planned for Wednesday, May 18, at 11 a.m., when they’ll hold the 43 Minutes for $43 Billion transportation infrastructure lobbying jam session. They’re asking Chicagoland residents to call their legislators and contact leaders in Springfield to ask them […]

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