Federal Policy
Top Categories
Active Transportation Alliance, transit officials discuss suburban transportation challenges
The shortcomings of Chicago area public transit are self-evident to any suburban transit rider who has ever tried to get anywhere but the Loop.
March 30, 2021
Buttigieg broadly commits to increased safety, equity, sustainability – details pending
Buttigieg presented an ambitious vision for a more just and sustainable transportation system in the U.S. We’ll be eagerly following the funding, regulation and policy specifics of how this vision can be realized.
March 26, 2021
What kind of infrastructure upgrades are needed for post-pandemic recovery?
Chicago business leaders and MPC agree that transit is key to post-pandemic economic revival, while also urging investment in freight rail, shipping facilities, roads, and bridges.
March 15, 2021
CDOT to the feds: The new draft of the MUTCD is still way too car-centric
Transportation chief Gia Biagi argued in a letter to the FWHA that the draft version of the next edition of the manual is "far too focused on motor vehicle operations and perpetuates the status quo."
March 12, 2021
Chuy Garcia’s bill calls for four times the current amount of federal transit funding
Advocates acknowledged the goals is ambitious and achieving parity is unlikely this year, but a strategy of aiming high could significantly move the funding needle during this window of opportunity.
March 9, 2021
CTA, peer transit agencies urge Biden administration to end local hiring ban
Reagan-era legislation prohibits transit agencies from favoring local firms and workers for infrastructure projects. Lifting the ban could provide new opportunities.
March 4, 2021
Metra is unhappy about the RTA focusing stimulus funds on transit-dependent areas
The CTA would get $361 million, while Metra would get only $83 million, and Pace would get $22 million for fixed-route bus service, plus $20 million for paratransit.
February 22, 2021
GoFundMe launched for bike crash survivor Alex Betzel, image of SUV released
"It is beyond frustrating that a young, healthy woman with health coverage will be indebted for a crash that she was completely innocent in," wrote Betzel's girlfriend.
February 16, 2021
Obama Center work starts this summer. What does the plan mean for transportation?
The Obama center should improve the Jackson Park green space and pedestrian and bike access within the park. But it's a shame that LSD and Stony Island had to be widened as part of the bargain.
February 4, 2021
Local transit agencies: CDC mask mandate will give our existing rules more teeth
Hopefully now that the federal government is getting more serious about mask compliance, we'll see better behavior on this front from local transit riders.
February 2, 2021