Recent Streetsblog CHICAGO posts about COVID-19

A Union Pacific North rail car photographed in late January. Photo: John Greenfield

Union Pacific finally caves, agrees to start collecting fares on Metra trains again

By John Greenfield | Apr 19, 2021 | No Comments

Was it really safety that motivated Union Pacific to refuse to have its conductors collect fares until long after conductors on Metra-controlled lines went back to walking the trains, or rather a desire to force Metra to the bargaining table?

Chicago-bound South Shore Line station in Beverly Shores, one of the sections where South Shore Line would put in a second track as part of the double-tracking project.

How will new Chicagoland stimulus transit cash be spent? We won’t know until fall

By Igor Studenkov | Apr 16, 2021 | No Comments

When it comes to transit funding from the most recent federal COVID-19 stimulus package, the common sentiment from transit agencies in Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana can be summed up as “wait and see.”

Trib’s Steve Chapman: Transit use is down right now, so we should never invest in it again

By John Greenfield | Apr 12, 2021 | No Comments

In the bizarro world of the the right-leaning Chicago Tribune, the lessons of the pandemic are that we should instead be putting more focus on car-based transportation.

Thanks to widespread mask use and decent ventilation, studies show transit use has been fairly safe during COVID. Photo: John Greenfield

Sun-Times’ Laura Washington is right: We all need to start riding transit again

By John Greenfield | Apr 7, 2021 | No Comments

If we want local public transportation to survive the COVID-19 pandemic intact, we've got to be the change we want to see.

LaSpata speaks at the ribbon-cutting for the Milwaukee Avenue protected bike lanes in Logan Square last October. Photo: John Greenfield

LaSpata’s ordinance would remove references to traffic “accidents” from Municipal Code

By John Greenfield | Apr 5, 2021 | No Comments

It's common to refer to serious crashes as "accidents," implying they're unavoidable, when it's actually possible to reduce crashes through better roadway design and public policy.

A flowering tree in Gulfport, Illinois, across the Mississippi River from Burlington, Iowa. Photo: John Greenfield

Taking an Amtrak + bike camping trip during the time of the coronavirus

By John Greenfield | Apr 5, 2021 | No Comments

I was fairly comfortable using Amtrak for this journey, so as long as we don't see another major spike in cases, I'll probably make more such trips this year as a safer alternative to flying.

Playing four square on State Street during Open Streets in 2011. Photo: John Greenfield

Loop Alliance details plan to bring Open Streets to State Street for first time since 2011

By Sharon Hoyer | Mar 31, 2021 | No Comments

The Loop Alliance hopes their program will be a shot in the arm for a downtown that is still struggling with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

An extra-large outdoor dining area at Tavern on Rush on pedestrianized Rush Street. Photo: John Greenfield

Alfresco program will encourage outdoor dining, community space on car-free streets

By Courtney Cobbs | Mar 25, 2021 | No Comments

The city of Chicago is accepting proposals for long-term outdoor dining projects to support tourism and activate neighborhood streets.

The vaccination village at the United Center

Most people in Chicagoland can access COVID vaccination sites via transit

By Steven Vance | Mar 17, 2021 | No Comments

How do we make it easier for people across the region to access vaccinations without driving?

Commuters wait for a train at Metra's Rogers Park station. Photo: Igor Studenkov

What kind of infrastructure upgrades are needed for post-pandemic recovery?

By Igor Studenkov | Mar 15, 2021 | No Comments

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.

inside the special Metra express train to the 49th Street Training Center. Photo: Igor Studenkov

Metra, Loop building managers join forces to promote safe return to in-person work

By Igor Studenkov | Mar 15, 2021 | No Comments

"There’s no collaborative tool that can replace in-person networking," Metra CEO Jim Derwinski insisted. "You can’t build a company culture on a video call.”

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