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"Electeds often don’t want to hear more from 'bike activists' and it is our job to make sure they feel like the advocacy is coming from the community," CBGN! stated.

It's that time of year again. On Friday, the 47th Ward, the North Side district represented by Ald. Matt Martin, launched its annual participatory budgeting voting process. PB elections let residents help determine how to spend a ward's $1.5 million a year in discretionary "menu" money for infrastructure projects.

Last month, a delegation of Illinois state representatives visited Germany to tour transit systems in and between two major cities. The trip was inspired by an action plan issued by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, which cited Berlin and Munich as successful case studies for a Chicagoland transit system currently facing an existential crises. Local ridership suffered during COVID-19, and ridership has yet to return to 2019 levels. The CTA, Metra, and Pace are facing a staggering $730 million total budget shortfall next year, when federal pandemic relief funding will run out.

• Tribune editorial: "New York’s congestion tax is no model for Chicago"

Wednesday morning, the Chicago Department of Transportation shared some good news about how popular shared sustainable transportation devices have become in our city. "Over 10 million trips were taken on shared bikes and e-scooters in 2024, a new annual record," the agency said in a press release. "This milestone reflects a growing demand for sustainable and convenient transportation options, supported by CDOT’s investments in micromobility infrastructure and the continued expansion of the Divvy bike-share system."

• Could congestion pricing help ease Chicago traffic? (WGN)

After the recent presidential election, Streetsblog Chicago checked in with local sustainable transportation advocates about what could done to help safeguard the future of walk/bike/transit in our region before Donald Trump takes office again.

• Nice! "Chicago ‘Should Explore’ Congestion Tax To Reduce Traffic, Mayor Says" (Block Club)

The grassroots transit advocacy group also weighed in on the CTA's departure from Twitter. CTAction's response may surprise you.