Recent Streetsblog CHICAGO posts about Federal Policy

Emails Show CDOT Pushed Back on Reilly’s Riverwalk Bike Ban as “Too Extreme”

By John Greenfield | Jul 11, 2019 | 5 Comments

The transportation department rightly argued that the ban would violate the spirit of Chicago's promise to the feds that the riverwalk would be available for bike commuting.

Here’s the Director’s Cut of the “Secret History of the Riverwalk Bike Ban” Article

By John Greenfield | Jun 28, 2019 | 5 Comments

Emails reveal how the threat of a cyclist revolt convinced the city to end the de-facto prohibition. Here's a longer version of John's Reader column with additional quotes from the email trove.

With new Amtrak service to the Quad Cities moving forward, can't you almost taste the Quad Cities-style pizza? Photo: Martha Williams, Time Out Chicago

Federal FAST Act Commitments Secured for Amtrak Route to the Quad Cities, and More

By John Greenfield | Jun 27, 2019 | 1 Comment

Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth got the Federal Railroad Administration to agree to expediting the Quad Cities project, as well as getting other federal officials to renew their commitment to eliminating traffic fatalities.

Scheinfeld on the Chicago Riverwalk. Photo: CDOT

Outgoing Transportation Chief Rebekah Scheinfeld Discusses Her Drama-Free Tenure

By John Greenfield | May 20, 2019 | 11 Comments

While her predecessor Gabe Klein was famous for his bold initiatives, Scheinfeld also accomplished a number of big projects during her time at CDOT.

Bruce Rauner, Illinois Policy Institute CEO John Tillman, and then-IPI attorney and current TOD plan opponent Jacob Huebert, celebrating the anti-union Janus decision on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court. Image: Chicago Sun-Times

Meet the Anti-Union Libertarian Star Trying to Kill the Logan Square Affordable TOD Plan

By John Greenfield | Apr 30, 2019 | 44 Comments

It's notable that one of the leaders of the opposition to the transit-friendly development is a guy who views Barry Goldwater as a hero and counts Donald Trump as a fan.

Ald. Beale: Reports of the O’Hare Express’ Death Have Been Greatly Exaggerated

By John Greenfield | Mar 15, 2019 | 9 Comments

Although a news report stated that the alderman had declared the project "dead," he told us he only meant that it shouldn't get funding before the Red Line extension.

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