Better Streets Chicago

In September 2024, Greyhound owner FlixBus narrowly escaped eviction from its station, 630 W. Harrison St. in the West Loop.

Better Streets Chicago's third annual fundraiser, which took place earlier this month, was one of the major celebrations of passing Illinois' transit reform/funding bill. As such, it was a joyful event.

On Tuesday, I hopped on my bicycle and high-tailed it from Chicago to Springfield, Illinois, the state capital, in an effort to sample my first-ever horseshoe sandwich. In case you're not familiar with that delicacy, it's an open-faced sandwich composed of thick-sliced toast, a protein (often hamburger patties, but there are several other options), cheese sauce, and french fries. It's an indigenous dish of Flower City and, as far as I know, it's no longer available in the Windy City.

The program, sponsored by Ald. Matt Martin (47th), and researched by Police District Council members, could start as early as this winter.

Public transit riders, workers, and advocates showed up in force for Saturday's Save Transit Rally at Daley Plaza, calling on state lawmakers to pass a bill to address Chicagoland's looming $771 million transit fiscal cliff. They demanded a special legislative session in Springfield this summer to prevent a projected 40 percent cut in service and some 3,000 layoffs, similar to what's currently happening in Philadelphia.

Today at Union Station, a coalition of transit, labor and environmental advocates held a rally to "Fix and Fund Public Transit," demanding that Illinois lawmakers reconvene and provide full funding for public transportation. Speakers called for a special summer session to pass a bill that would rescue Chicagoland transit from some 40 percent service cuts and 3,000 layoffs.

Podgers discussed the history of BSC, and the things the grassroots group has accomplished that he's most proud of.

Last Thursday, the grassroots sustainable advocacy organization Better Streets Chicago held its third annual gathering to celebrate recent accomplishments, and raise funds for future campaigns. The nonprofit was launched at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic by Kyle Lucas, Brittney Lane, Jim Hodapp, and former Streetsblog Co-Editor Courtney Cobbs. Recent efforts included a rally to protest plans to rebuild North DuSable Lake Shore Drive as an eight-lane highway with no bus lanes, lobbying the City to lower the speed limit to 25 mph, and pushing for funding of the #PlowTheSidewalks pilot.

Attendees want to see the waterside highway transformed into a people-friendly boulevard with a dedicated transit corridor.