Recent Streetsblog CHICAGO posts about equity

A women-only car in New Dehli, India. Photo: Jordan Worthington

Readers: Women-only transit would be awesome / impractical / sexist / transphobic

By Olivia Grenzebach and John Greenfield | Jan 19, 2021 | No Comments

One thing's for sure: If such a program is going to be implemented in Chicago, it needs to be explicitly inclusive of all women, including trans women, and nonbinary people.

Boarding platform for women-only train cars in Mexico City. Photo: Olivia Grenzebach

Should the CTA adopt women-only transit? Interviews with Chicago women suggest yes

By Olivia Grenzebach | Jan 15, 2021 | No Comments

Women-only transportation helps to dismantle one of the barriers that women face daily, so it should be seriously considered in the Chicago and other U.S. cities.

Catching a #146 bus on State Street. Photo: John Greenfield

Will CDOT’s new strategic plan be a turning point for equitable transportation?

By Courtney Cobbs | Jan 6, 2021 | No Comments

Hopefully CDOT’s strategic plan will produce more than just another report that sits on a shelf without leading to substantive change.

Rendering of the upcoming 103rd Street station.

There’s movement on south Red Line extension, but service launch pushed back 3 years

By John Greenfield | Dec 22, 2020 | No Comments

Advocates say it's disappointing that South Siders will have a longer wait for service, but it's encouraging that the project is moving forward.

Why the history of racism in transportation enforcement and planning still matters today

By Courtney Cobbs | Dec 14, 2020 | No Comments

Mobility justice advocates discussed how the past must inform efforts to address present-day transportation inequities.

A scooter rider at Belmont/Broadway last September. Photo: John Greenfield

Despite a 400% fleet increase, total scooter use dropped in this year’s pilot

By John Greenfield | Dec 11, 2020 | No Comments

In contrast, Divvy bike-share ridership has stayed relatively strong during the crisis.

The Fair Transit South Cook service area. Image: Cook County

Take a survey in advance of Fair Transit South Cook, and the county will buy you coffee

By John Greenfield | Dec 7, 2020 | No Comments

The county is seeking input from residents about their travel needs and how the COVID-19 crisis has affected their riding habits.

Emanuel test rides a Divvy bike at Chicago's Daley Plaza. Photo: John Greenfield

Free advice to Biden: Do yourself a favor and don’t hire Rahm Emanuel as USDOT chief

By John Greenfield | Nov 30, 2020 | No Comments

Announcing Emanuel as your choice would almost certainly fill the streets of Chicago with hundreds or thousands of justifiably angry protesters. You really don't want to kick off your administration that way.

Lightfoot’s budget narrowly passes, with downsides for transit riders and motorists alike

By John Greenfield | Nov 24, 2020 | No Comments

The budget diverts $16 million in operations funding from the CTA. It also raises the city gas tax by three cents and drops the speed camera ticket threshold to 6 mph.

Study: Uber and Lyft likely aren’t being used much to address Chicago transit deserts

By John Greenfield | Nov 23, 2020 | No Comments

Most ride-hail trips are being taken in majority-white and/or more affluent neighborhoods downtown and on the North and Northwest sides.

Rahm Emanuel at the December 2012 opening of the Dearborn Street protected bike lane. Photo: Steven Vance

Rahm was good for transportation, but McDonald coverup disqualifies him for USDOT post

By John Greenfield | Nov 11, 2020 | No Comments

Former CDOT chief Gabe Klein would be an ethical choice for the transportation slot who wouldn't alienate the Democratic party's progressive wing.

Lightfoot says she wants to repair Chicago's many crumbling viaducts. Photo: Eric Allix Rogers

Lightfoot says her new infrastructure spending plan will focus on equity

By Courtney Cobbs | Nov 4, 2020 | No Comments

Lightfoot is finalizing a multi-billion dollar capital spending plan that will reportedly help aldermen stretch their $1.32 million discretionary "menu" funds and create jobs for residents.

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