Recent Streetsblog CHICAGO posts about COVID-19

Historic Black-owned businesses Frances' Cocktail Lounge and Lem's Bar-B-Q on Chathams's 75th Street restaurant strip. Image: Google Maps

New Cafe Streets announced, but so far Black and Latino dining strips are opting out

By John Greenfield | Jun 24, 2020 | No Comments

Announced Cafe Streets in Chatham and Little Village have been cancelled or watered down, which means that so far none are planned on African-American- or Latino-owned restaurant strips.

A rear-door fare card reader. Photo: CTA

CTA planned to install rear-door card readers on entire bus fleet, only did a few dozen

By John Greenfield | Jun 23, 2020 | No Comments

The plan to add rear-door Ventra readers to all 1,800-plus buses would have opened the door to universal all-door boarding. But the initiative never got off the ground.

People flock to the reopened Bloomingdale while maintaining social distance

By Ariel Parrella-Aureli | Jun 22, 2020 | No Comments

The 606 is officially open now, but neighbors say thing aren't that different than last week, when many people were already using it illegally.

Cyclists near Montrose Avenue. Photo: Imelda March

The Lakefront Trail reopens after almost 3 months — with strings attached

By Imelda March | Jun 22, 2020 | No Comments

Trail users told Streetsblog they're happy the path has reopened, but they're bummed about the 7 p.m. closing time and North Avenue to Grand Avenue detour.

Rush hour bus lanes installed on Chicago Avenue in River North last year. Photo: CDOT

3 weeks after CDOT discussed the idea, Chicago still lacks COVID bus lane plan

By James Porter | Jun 17, 2020 | No Comments

Chicago is lagging far behind peer cities when it comes to creating dedicated bus lanes, so that passengers spend less time time onboard, reducing their risk of viral exposure.

Customers wait for the #79 79th bus at the Red Line station. The line has experienced crowding problems. Photo: James Porter

Which CTA bus lines are still seeing crowding during the pandemic?

By Courtney Cobbs | Jun 16, 2020 | No Comments

Yesterday the CTA launched a Ridership Information Dashboard to give riders a heads-up about crowding issues, so they can make an informed decision when planning their commutes.

LFT reopens next Monday with limited hours, Social Distancing Ambassadors

By John Greenfield | Jun 15, 2020 | No Comments

Unfortunately, the mayor is closing the LFT each day in the early evening, which will make it somewhat less useful for commuting.

97419016_10157128962665318_7065200891019657216_o

The lack of public restrooms during the pandemic is impacting mobility

By Kirsten Lambert | Jun 2, 2020 | No Comments

The lack of public restrooms available during the pandemic is a major challenge for families with young kids, pregnant people, delivery workers, and others. How can we address that?

The Leland Slow Street. Photo: John Greenfield

6 streets will be pedestrianized for cafes, and the Leland Slow Street opens

By John Greenfield | May 29, 2020 | No Comments

Neighborhoods from Chatham to Lakeview will be getting cafe zones, and the Leland Slow Street is a hit with families and other residents.

Oakland’s Warren Logan on pursuing racial equity within a mobility framework

By Courtney Cobbs | May 28, 2020 | No Comments

Warren Logan, policy director of mobility and interagency relations for the mayor’s office of Oakland, which in April became the first city to launch “Slow Streets,” has been at the forefront of the movement to create more space for safe, socially-distanced transportation and recreation during COVID-19. I first heard about Warren in an August 2019 […]

Leland Avenue east of Clark Street. Photo: John Greenfield

Starting Friday, Leland Shared Street will provide a safe COVID-19 transportation corridor

By John Greenfield | May 27, 2020 | No Comments

It took more than two months of pushing by advocates, but Chicago is finally implementing Slow Streets as a COVID-19 response.

Load more stories