Steven Vance

At about 4:22 AM this morning the Illinois Senate concurred with the Illinois House on bill SB 2111, approving a revenues and reform package that will avert the Chicagoland transit fiscal cliff, structurally close budget gaps for the foreseeable future, and provide additional funding for the state's 63 transit agencies. Among the reforms are establishing a new oversight authority that will centralize service planning and fare-setting in Chicagoland and assigning powers to build transit-supportive development, among other major and unique policy changes.

This post incorporates content from Streetsblog Chicago Cofounder and Advisor Steven Vance's development data website Chicago Cityscape.

This article also appears in Streetsblog Chicago cofounder Steven Vance's personal blog Steven Can Plan. He also runs the local development data website Chicago Cityscape.

Despite its status as the most populous city in the Midwest, Chicago infamously does not have a BRT system. So last month, I traveled to Madison to spend a day in Wisconsin's capital city to experience what it might be like to live in a midwestern city with a bus rapid transit system.

Friends remember Dennis for his encyclopediac knowledge of our city's past and its geography, but also his generosity with know-how and transportation-related mementos.

"I could see this app being very useful for people already familiar with the CTA," Steven said.

Author update, 7/26/2024: two of the seven ordinances necessary to effect this upzoning have been adopted. The others are delayed due to differences in when mailed notices were sent to property owners and confirmed received.

This post also appears on Steven's personal blog about cities Steven Can Plan.

Here's a look at what elected officials and other media outlets have said about the issue recently.

The Regional Transportation Authority, which oversees the three local transit agencies, is using a little muscle to persuade CDOT to include better bus accommodations.