Rail Transit

As communities where walking and transit are convenient become increasingly desirable, making sure that people aren’t priced out of these areas, so that more residents can reap the health and economic benefits of walkability, will be a challenge.

It’s going to be important for the city to learn the mistakes of the past, particularly the failure to promptly redevelop several lots that were left empty for five or more years after the Brown Line reconstruction was finished.

Although some community leaders have opposed the idea, arguing that it would create carmaggedon, the former president noted that it’s important not to get so “fixated on traffic that we lose sight of what's possible."

As Chinatown residents work to maintain the neighborhood's identity and keep it affordable for longtime residents, they also want to improve transportation access.

Currently thousands of workers in Chicagoland have part of their wages set aside to buy a transit pass. This occurs before taxes are deducted from their paychecks, and thus saves them a few hundred bucks each year in income taxes. Not everyone can do this, but a new bill in the Illinois House of Representatives intends to increase access to this federal tax benefit, as well provide an alternative option for paying for transit.

Hertz proposes commonsense near-term changes we can make to improve South Side transit: building more transit-oriented development, creating rapid-transit service on Metra lines, and adding time-saving features to existing bus service.

The city held events to announce plans for improvements to two different historic Green Line stations: the Quincy stop in the Loop, and the Cottage Grove station.

Visually impaired sound artist, rock musician, and recording engineer Andy Slater offered to share his experiences navigating the city on public transportation and floated some ideas to improve transportation access for folks with disabilities.

To solve the "first and last mile problem," there's no substitute for walkability.