Could Congestion Pricing Pay Off for Chicago? Second City leaders have discussed following Manhattan’s lead in tolling roads to ease traffic. But a Chicago-style version of New York’s policy might look very different.

Manhattan's congestion pricing program has been a stunning success. Other US cities have noticed.

Could Chicago go next?

In @bloomberg.com, I explored. 🧵

What will Governor Pritzker's housing plan mean for existing two-flats? The impact of upzoning on existing low cost housing

How will the Governor's proposed housing package, the BUILD Act, help make housing more affordable? Here's a detailed dive into what we should expect from these policies, acknowledging the gentrification pressures that currently exist in areas of Chicago. open.substack.com/pub/citythat...

Focus Group Interest Form Thank you for your interest in Next Move Illinois' virtual focus group series! Any personally identifying information provided will be kept confidential and will only be used to contact you if necess...

Help shape the future of transit in Illinois. Illinois DOT is hosting a series of small, interactive virtual focus groups with people who rely on buses, trains, and other shared transportation. Interested participants register here docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Great policy to allow flexibility for developers so housing is easier and cheaper to build

Wrigley Field is special because it's part of a vibrant neighborhood. Building more parking will just incentivize more driving. Do not expand the parking lot. Instead, the Cubs should figure out what else they can do to support people taking Metra/shuttles, buses, biking, walking to the field.

activetrans.quorum.us/campaign/158... The legislation HB4660 would legalize the safety stop, allowing people biking to treat stop signs as yield signs. This simple update has been proven to reduce crashes and keep people biking out of harm’s way at intersections. Tell your legislators you support.

Mr. MPO How I ended up at the table nobody's heard of

open.substack.com/pub/rthompto...
This is a great explanation of the importance of regionalism, the hard work of Metropolitan Planning Organizations. And why transportation planning is systems thinking.

Trump’s Reckless Gutting of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau As the cost of living continues to spiral upward, the White House is dismantling the government agency built to protect Americans from financial ruin.

Levels of debt and default on auto loans are astronomical. This story of a single mom accruing massive debt from a car loan is all too common. We must provide good alternatives to driving. www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...

Put real experts in charge of transit Evidence from high-functioning systems

The future of the Chicago region’s transit demands NITA board appointments of high quality. Directors must be knowledgeable about transit, collaborative, have a regional perspective and be deeply committed to transit’s success. citythatworks.substack.com/p/who-should...

Affordability angst: How automakers are courting price-shocked buyers Demand for both high-end and affordable vehicles is a symptom of what experts call a K-shaped economy. While the wealthiest benefit from a booming stock market, lower earners are struggling with in…

Average new vehicles now cost $50K. We have to expand affordable bike, walk, transit networks to provide alternatives to costly driving. www.chicagotribune.com/2026/03/06/a...

I'll be at Second City on Sunday, March 8 participating in the @funnyyoushouldcare.bsky.social show about safe streets. Come see the show!

Trump administration can’t stop New York's congestion pricing, court rules Gov. Kathy Hochul declared victory: “Congestion pricing is legal, it works, and it is here to stay. “

Congestion pricing is legal. www.politico.com/news/2026/03...

www.changinglanesdoc.com/about.Thrilled to see the Changing Lanes documentary about street safety and the rollercoaster ride to get good transportation policy implemented. Kudos to the wonderful director Ben Wolf who produced this film himself carrying all equipment by bike.

Safe Streets: The Comedy Show. Why It Sucks to Walk or Drive in Chicago (and How We Can Fix It) - The Second City Discover top sketch, improv, and stand-up comedy shows at the world-famous Second City!

Traffic safety is no joke…but check out the Safe Streets comedy show at Second City. There are 3 shows on Sunday nights in February and March. See you there! !www.secondcity.com/shows/chicago/safe-stree...

Great #Transit Equity Day riding the Western Ave bus with IL transit champion Rep Theresa Mah, advocates, @chicagocta.bsky.social and Chicago DOT talking about bus rapid transit, the need for better connections to Metra and improved walkability near transit stations. This is why NITA was created!

A good amount of people are out riding the buses today despite the severe cold. Thanks @chicagocta.bsky.social for providing this essential service. This weather highlights the importance of accurate bus arrival data so waiting in the cold is minimized.

Loving my @chicagocta.bsky.social holiday sweater!!

Governor JB Pritzker signed the Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) Act, SB2111, into law, marking a landmark action in modernizing Illinois’ transit system. The law creates a new regional authority to oversee CTA, Metra, and Pace, while delivering significant investments in public transit, capital projects, and tollways across the state—all without raising statewide taxes.

A once-in-a-generation investment that benefits everyone in our state.

Today, I’m proud to sign the Northern Illinois Transit Authority Act into law.

Our new regional authority will modernize Illinois’ transit systems — and we’re doing it with no new statewide taxes.

Shoutout to "the tenacious environmental and transit advocates"!
- @awennink.bsky.social of MPC
- Dany Robles of @ilenviro.bsky.social
- Jacky Grimshaw of @cnt.org
- Amy Rynell of @atalliance.bsky.social

What a thrill to be behind the podium and have @metroplanning.bsky.social acknowledged during the transit bill signing ceremony this morning!

Chicago’s infrastructure bond is essential for making streets safer | Active Transportation Alliance The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) has made major progress transforming Chicago’s streets into safer, more accessible places for people […]

If we do not issue transportation bonds as part of the coming city budget, Chicago DOT will have sharply reduced funds for building Complete Streets. We need to invest to make our streets safer and make buses work better.
activetrans.org/blog/chicago...

Chicago DOT- bike lanes are not plowed along Belmont east of Kimball. Cyclists are forced into vehicle travel lanes. We need to prioritize clearing snow for cyclists. Sidewalks are also a mess in this area. Let’s do better.

Building Smarter: How Investing in More Transportation Choices Cuts Infrastructure Costs - RMI Last month, Illinois lawmakers brought the Chicago transit system back from the brink of financial insolvency largely by deploying one transformative solution: shifting transport revenues away from ex...

Construction costs are high. What is the solution to modernizing transportation infrastructure? Multimodal investments (bus, rail, bike) can reduce transportation expenditures in the long run by more affordably serving urban travel needs rmi.org/building-sma...

I am reading both your books over this Thanksgiving weekend and completely shocked to fully understand what you have been through. Thank you for sharing yourself and how you have responded to the complete unfairness that life subjected you to. Gratitude for strong women like you speaking out.

My daughter asked me to drive her to OHare today…as usual I said, no, CTA will be more reliable and safer, especially given the snowy road conditions. And then I get this text - “there is a ton of traffic at OHare. I am flying right past.” Way to go @chicagocta.bsky.social!

Report: It Pretty Incredible That Americans Entrusted With Driving Cars

Report: It Pretty Incredible That Americans Entrusted With Driving Cars theonion.com/report-it-pretty-incredi...

Drew Mitchell, representing real estate firm Holladay Properties, said that prohibiting minimum vehicle parking requirements for development projects near public transit would enable more transit-oriented developments as well as increase ridership. "Let's reactivate our Metra stations."

Suburban legislators, advocates tout single-fare system, transit-oriented development after passage of mass transit funding bill Lawmakers and advocates said a single-fare system, more frequent trains and more development near transit options are potential gains of the bill.

Today suburban legislators celebrated state transit reform and funding legislation. NITA creates "a single, coordinated regional authority. We are breaking down the barriers between Metra, Pace and CTA" said state Rep. Mary Beth Canty, D-Arlington Heights.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/25/s...

It was sent to the governor today

cook-rail-survey-hntbcorp.hub.arcgis.com