John Greenfield

Last month, the grassroots transit advocacy group Commuters Take Action held a retirement party for controversial CTA President Dorval Carter Jr. While he did go out on a high note by securing $1.9 billion from the feds for the $5.7 Red Line Extension, he was highly unpopular with many riders due to the system's issues with unreliable service, crime, and sanitation. So the celebration was a tongue-in-cheek affair, and needless to say, the guest of honor was a no-show.

• "Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa Tapped As Next Park District Boss. Now, Logan Square Needs A New Alderman" (Block Club)

This week, the CTA released the final design concepts for a pedestrian path and other new amenities on a 1.3-mile segment under Red and Purple tracks, between the Lawrence and Bryn Mawr stations in Uptown and Edgewater. At the second of two community meeting this week, held last night at Truman College, 1945 W. Wilson, attendees seemed generally satisfied with the design.

• WTTW: "Chicago City Council Votes 26-23 to Borrow $830M to Repair Streets, Sidewalks, Bridges"

The day after the giant pierogi dropped in Whiting, Indiana, I wrapped up Streetsblog Chicago's Bike Lane Fest 2024, a quest to visit every new or upgraded bikeway the Chicago Department of Transportation completed last year.

• "Why a Plan to Borrow $830M to Repair Streets, Sidewalks, Bridges Touched Off a Political Firestorm" (WTTW)

• Second pedestrian struck by Metra train in Downers Grove in 24 hours (CBS)

• RTA report on recent Transit Is the Answer Coalition meeting, which Streetsblog reported on last week, to discuss "Transforming Transit" proposal

• "Metra UP-W service disrupted after vehicle struck by train near Winfield Station" (ABC)

Update 2/25/25, 9:45 AM: Here's the final City Clerk tally of who voted for/against a 25 mph speed limit. I've updated our map accordingly. Previously unknown:Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd): 👎 (opposed)Ald. Lamont Robinson (4th) 👍 (in favor)Ald. Desmon Yancy (5th) 👎Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd) ❓ (didn't vote)