Recent Streetsblog CHICAGO posts about equity

Signs like this are an apparent attempt by the CTA to discourage people from sheltering on trains. Photo: Jeff Zoline

Unlike MTA, CTA won’t close ‘L’ during COVID, but homeless on transit need services

By Imelda March | May 15, 2020 | No Comments

Back in 2006, the Chicago Tribune publication RedEye asked “Just how clean are CTA buses or trains?“ The paper hired a private lab to test the cleanliness of four cars on the Red and Brown line, two buses, and some station surfaces. 14 years later during the COVID1-9 pandemic, the cleanliness of public transportation has […]

Marley Blonsky and Kailey Kornhauser. Image from "Fat Bikers Webinar: Creating a Size-Inclusive Community."

Creating a Body-Inclusive Cycling Community

By Courtney Cobbs | May 14, 2020 | No Comments

A person's body size or weight has no bearing on their worth as a human being. Bike culture should reflect that.

Last week's protest over the killing of Ahmaud Arbery. Photo: Associated Press

Ahmaud Arbery’s death, mobility justice, and the open streets debate

By Courtney Cobbs | May 11, 2020 | No Comments

For Black and Brown people to feel completely safe walking, biking, or just existing in public space, we need to make fundamental changes in the way our society is structured.

While it's technically illegal to hang out in Lincoln Park right now, last Saturday people many people were doing so while maintaining social distance from others. Photo: John Greenfield

Friends of the Parks discusses the need for green space during COVID-19 and beyond

By Courtney Cobbs | May 5, 2020 | No Comments

Executive director Juanita Irizarry says she would have preferred a more nuanced approach to park closures, and sees the pandemic as an opportunity to advance the discussion of park equity.

Walking and biking in Chicago's Douglas community area. Photo: John Greenfield

How do we promote efficient and equitable transportation during and after the pandemic?

By Imelda March | Apr 24, 2020 | No Comments

Audrey Wennink from the Metropolitan Planning Council and Lynda Lopez from Active Trans discuss what needs to be done to promote mobility justice during the pandemic, and prevent a spike in driving afterwards.

The MiCA transit-oriented development in Chicago's gentrifying Logan Square neighborhood. Photo: John Greenfield

Don’t be a Livable Streets Jerk

By John Greenfield | Apr 22, 2020 | No Comments

Thoughtful transportation advocacy requires intersectionality and a willingness to listen.

The 79th Street Red Line station. Crowding on the #79 bus has been an issue during the pandemic. Photo: James Porter

A tale of two Chicagos: The South and West sides have different pandemic priorities than the North Side

By Courtney Cobbs | Apr 17, 2020 | No Comments

There are multiple reasons why open street may not be a pressing concern for Black and Latinx Chicago residents during the pandemic, but it can be part of the solution for improving access to open space.

An e-scooter on the Halsted Street bridge over West Loop railroad tracks. Photo: Jonathan Lee

2020 scooter pilot will likely involve only 2-3 companies and require “lock-to” vehicles

By John Greenfield | Mar 5, 2020 | No Comments

At yesterday's Mayor's Bicycle Advisory Council meeting CDOT gave an update on how last year's program went, and what to expect this year.

Vision Zero ambassador DeAndre Bingham and a resident discuss barriers to safe walking and biking at a West Side block party. Photo: CDOT

Eliminating the financial burden of car ownership should be part of Lightfoot’s war on poverty

By Courtney Cobbs | Mar 3, 2020 | No Comments

Making transit, walking, and biking, safer and more convenient would help residents keep more money in their pockets for savings or to stimulate the local economy.

Police on New York's MTA. Photo: Caitlin Plauf via Streetsblog NYC

Caveat to Lightfoot: Over-police the CTA and you may face NYC-style subway protests

By John Greenfield | Feb 3, 2020 | No Comments

If additional policing leads to the criminalization of more people of color and low-income residents, don't be surprised if the response is hundreds of angry Chicagoans storming the turnstiles.

The western end of the Bloomingdale Trail. Photo: John Greenfield

Ald. Ramirez-Rosa discusses The 606 development freeze, Logan TOD funding

By John Greenfield | Jan 21, 2020 | No Comments

Both transportation-related initiatives are designed to fight housing displacement in the gentrifying Near Northwest Side.

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