Recent Streetsblog CHICAGO posts about State Policy

77 pairs of shoes at the Thompson Center commemorated this year's deadly crash victims. Photo: John Greenfield

At World Day of Remembrance event, survivors urged city, drivers to prevent traffic deaths

By John Greenfield | Nov 18, 2019 | No Comments

Despite the calls for safer conditions for pedestrians and cyclists at the event, CDOT revealed that aldermen still have the power to veto safety infrastructure via aldermanic privilege.

A "ghost bike" memorial recently installed at the crash site. The cycle is painted light green, the same color as Aiello's road bike. Photo: Joe Sislow

Why the victim-blaming responses to fallen cyclist Carla Aiello’s death are wrong

By John Greenfield | Nov 12, 2019 | No Comments

When the person operating a 10,000-pound-plus vehicle fails to make sure they won't kill somebody when they make a turn, the fault lies squarely with them, not their victim.

A Pere Marquette train, funded by the state of Michigan, arrive in St. Jospeph. Photo: Igor Studenkov

Why Illinois is running an extra helping of Thanksgiving trains this year, but Michigan isn’t

By Igor Studenkov | Nov 11, 2019 | No Comments

The service levels on state-supported routes depend on how much money each state department of transportation is willing to pay.

Ed Barsotti and Dave Simmons. Photo: John Greenfield

Ed Barsotti steps down after nearly 20 years leading Ride Illinois, Dave Simmons steps in

By John Greenfield | Nov 8, 2019 | No Comments

Ride Illinois has teamed up with the Active Transportation Alliance on many statewide legislative wins for cycling.

O'Hare (blue), Midway (orange), the town of Peotone (purple), and the new proposed airport site. Image: Google Maps

What the pork?! State transpo plan includes $206M for roads to nonexistent airport

By John Greenfield | Oct 23, 2019 | No Comments

Think how far that money would have gone if it was used for useful sustainable transportation projects.

JB Pritzker at yesterday's press conference. Photo: IDOT

Unfortunately, 16% of the new roads and bridges funding will go towards expansion

By John Greenfield | Oct 22, 2019 | No Comments

Widening roadways generally just induces more driving. But the new funding will also allow IDOT to be more proactive about maintenance.

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