Streetsblog Chicago

The FOMO was strong at City Hall yesterday.
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Today's Headlines for Wednesday, March 11 - Streetsblog Chicago • “CTA’s new security plan includes sheriff’s deputies on trains, high-barrier gates [called for in recent SBC guest op-ed], farecard inspections” (Sun-Times) • Letter: “Public access to CTA bathrooms...

Headlines: "CTA's new security plan includes sheriff's deputies on trains, high-barrier gates [called for in recent SBC guest op-ed], farecard inspections"; Letter: calls for public access to CTA bathrooms; Momentum is building for Englewood Nature Trail."

@swcollectivechi.bsky.social @atalliance.bsky.social @rideillinois.bsky.social @betterstreetschicago.org @chicritmass.bsky.social @stevevance.net @sidestreets.bsky.social @aldermanlaspata.bsky.social @ctulocal1.bsky.social @mayorofchicago.bsky.social

Little happened at Tuesday's Traffic Safety Committee meeting, except many public comments opposing Archer Safe Streets. Some were reasonable. But there was also lots of abuse of Ald. Ramirez from right-leaning political foes.
chi.streetsblog.org/2026/03/10/a...

Archer Guardians anti-Safe Streets protesters turned today's Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee meeting into a campaign stop - Streetsblog Chicago As you might expect thanks to yesterday’s gorgeous weather, the vibe was good at the 13th round of weekly dueling rallies for and against the Archer Avenue traffic safety project rallies in Brighton P...

Archer Guardians anti-Safe Streets protesters turned today’s Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee meeting into a campaign stop

Here's the public safety plan CTA is submitting to the Trump administration in an effort to avoid threatened $50M federal funding cuts.

Some of these measures are recommended in Noah Wright's op-ed we ran yesterday.
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Noah Wright says CTA needs to be more proactive about improving public safety on transit. He cites the successes of D.C.'s WMATA as a model. For example here's a crisis intervention specialist, presumably helping a troubled D.C. hardcore punk musician.
chi.streetsblog.org/2026/03/09/r... @ggwash.org

Today's Headlines for Tuesday, March 10 - Streetsblog Chicago • Police fatally shot driver fleeing in stolen Mercedes after he struck, injured woman, and hit CTA bus, CPD squad car Monday evening in Humboldt (ABC) • After man, 18, charged with shooting, injuring...

Headlines: Police fatally shot driver fleeing in stolen car after he struck, injured woman, and hit CTA bus, squad car Monday evening in Humboldt; Amtrak's Pilsen river bridge became stuck on Monday afternoon, causing Metra delays; Equiticity is hiring.

@chicagocta.bsky.social @ctaction.org @atalliance.bsky.social @wmata.com @stevevance.net @yonahfreemark.com @rtachicago.bsky.social @mayorofchicago.bsky.social @betterstreetschicago.org @mta.info

Riders deserve to feel safe on the CTA: Steps to a safer transit system - Streetsblog Chicago By Noah Wright This piece also runs on the website A City That Works, a newsletter about public policy in the Chicago region. As a guest op-ed, it does not necessarily reflect Streetsblog Chicago staf...

Noah Wright says Mayor Johnson and CTA need to stop ignoring the elephant in the room and directly address the system's public safety problems. He cites DC's WMATA, which saw its lowest crime rate in 25 years, as a best practice.

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Please consider chipping in to help us keep advocating for upgrades, so we can say, "Hey, hey the [Blue Line's] all right." 🎵 Thank you!
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Is the state of local walk/bike/transit giving you the Chicago Blues? Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to our fund drive so we can keep advocating for upgrades. We're at $23,352 with $26,648 to go.
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Thanks to recent donors:
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Eric W
Payton C...

After drivers struck 2 bike and scooter riders on Archer in less than a month, project foes absurdly claim half-done, car-clogged 'bike lanes didn't help' - Streetsblog Chicago On much of the project area, posts, paint and new curbs to haven't been added yet to help keep drivers – like the protesters – out of the future curbside bikeways.

Just got a donation and a nice note from a reader: "I have appreciated your coverage of our neighborhood biketroversy in Brighton :)"
chi.streetsblog.org/2026/03/04/a...

You can help SBC keep the (bike) lights on by making a tax-deductible contribution here. Thanks!
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@swcollectivechi.bsky.social @atalliance.bsky.social @rideillinois.bsky.social @chicritmass.bsky.social @betterstreetschicago.org @stevevance.net @sidestreets.bsky.social

Pot, meet kettle.

Juan Rangel, who's promoting anti-Archer Safe Streets rallies, left UNO Charters after alleged financial misconduct.
chicago.suntimes.com/2016/6/25/18...

Now the Trib is letting him rail against "the chaotic reigns of Lightfoot, Johnson." 💁‍♂️
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Wow, there was huge line of folks waiting to get into the Judas Priest concert at Soldier Field Saturday night! 🤘

JK, this was the 200+ people who showed up for the Portage Park bike network meeting. Reactions to CDOT's proposal seemed to be mostly positive. 🚲
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Today's Headlines for Monday, March 9 - Streetsblog Chicago • Driver, 53, cited after striking woman, 65, and child, 5, crossing street, seriously injuring the senior, Sunday around 1:15 PM near Illinois/McClurg (ABC) • CPD: Argument led to shooting of 2 men, ...

Headlines: Driver, 53, cited after striking woman, 65, and child, 5, in Streeterville; Argument led to shooting of 2 men, causing serious injuries, Sunday at 79th station; "City of Elmhurst Named a Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists."

@atalliance.bsky.social @rideillinois.bsky.social @bikegridnow.org @betterstreetschicago.org @chicritmass.bsky.social @bkevenides.bsky.social @mayorofchicago.bsky.social @aldermanlaspata.bsky.social

When John rolled up on the Portage Park bikeway meeting, there was a huge line of people snaking out the door, and he got worried there was a lot of opposition. But it actually seemed like most attendees were open to the proposal.
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'Bikeway Hearing Parking Lot': Talking with folks from the massive crowd outside and inside the Portage Park Neighborhood Bike Network meeting - Streetsblog Chicago When I rolled up to yesterday’s Brighton Park Senior Center for the community meeting on the Chicago Department of Transportation’s neighborhood bikeway network proposal, there was a long line of peop...

“Bikeway Hearing Parking Lot”: Talking with folks from the massive crowd outside and inside the Portage Park Neighborhood Bike Network meeting.

@atalliance.bsky.social @rideillinois.bsky.social @bikegridnow.org @betterstreetschicago.org @rideillinois.bsky.social @bkevenides.bsky.social

That’s our boy! Proud to have such a dedicated activist like Jim as our communication director

Line chart showing Divvy annual membership in Chicago from 2022 to March 2026, peaking around 44,000 in 2023, declining through 2024 and early 2025, then rising again to about 36,774 members. Image also shows two people riding Divvy bikes along Chicago’s lakefront with text promoting a $99 annual membership for new and returning riders.

Divvy memberships in Chicago are climbing again after pricing changes & major system expansion in 2025:
• $99 annual membership for new/lapsed riders (still active)
• Price freezes for existing members continuing into 2026
• 140+ new stations added
• Updated service standards to improve reliability

Candidate's DUI Targeted in Mailer, But He Asks for a 'Second Chance' SEIU Local 1 sent mailers about Raymond Lopez's 2008 DUI, but he says he deserves a second chance.

Not that this should disqualify anyone, but we learned today that Ald. Lopez has a DUI record. Maybe he should be more open to projects to make it safer to get around without driving?

Here's our article on his recent tantrum at a Traffic Safety Committee meeting.
chi.streetsblog.org/2026/02/10/p...

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In a world of Roger Romanellis, be a Jim Anderson.

The veteran NIMBY held a press conference claiming there was no opportunity for public input on the Grand Safe Streets plan. The advocate happened upon the presser and pointed out that was nonsense.
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Today's Headlines for Friday, March 6 - Streetsblog Chicago • “Funeral Services for Rev. Jesse Jackson Will Be Accessible by Public Transit” (CTA) • Active Trans ED Amy Rynell: “Let’s pass a statewide speed limit that will save lives” • In a Trib op-ed, Bike G...

Headlines: ATA: "Let’s pass a statewide speed limit"; "What Happened to [Chicago-founded] Schwinn?"; Chicago Family Biking leads a Bike Bus Leader Training & Meetup 3/12.

@atalliance.bsky.social @chifamilybiking.bsky.social

@thewaroncars.bsky.social @atalliance.bsky.social @betterstreetschicago.org @bkevenides.bsky.social

War on Cars is doing a book event , hosted by ATA snd Better Streets, Sat. 4/4, 7 PM at Juarez High in Pilsen, 1450 W. Cermak.

Tragically, last May next to the school, a semi driver reportedly disobeyed his signal when making a right turn and ran over and killed a 44-year-old man in the crosswalk.

@bikegridnow.org @atalliance.bsky.social @rideillinois.bsky.social @chicritmass.bsky.social @bikelaneuprising.bsky.social @swcollectivechi.bsky.social @equiticity.bsky.social @bkevenides.bsky.social @chicagotribune.com

Cycling advocates: The mayor endorsed us. Now he advocates against us. In 2023, Mayor Brandon Johnson endorsed our bike grid plan. Now, he advocates against us and our right to safe infrastructure.

In a new Tribune op-ed, Chicago, Bike Grid Now questions Mayor's Office statement to Streetsblog that House Bill 2454, making bike riders "intended" road users "would result in millions of dollars in new annual costs." 🍿🍿🍿