Recent Streetsblog CHICAGO posts about Pandemic

Heated outdoor seating in the parking lane at Rogers Park Social cocktail bar. Photo: Jonathan Roth

To help restaurants and bars survive winter, let’s make it easy to use car space for seating

By John Greenfield | Oct 27, 2020 | No Comments

There are plenty of ways Chicago can help restaurants and bars survive this extremely challenging period -- if city officials are willing to be flexible, generous, and proactive to help them out.

Illustration, Rachel Duggan, Chicago Reader

COVID-19 isn’t a good time to start ticketing drivers for going 6 MPH over the speed limit

By John Greenfield | Oct 27, 2020 | No Comments

While doing so might be a win for traffic safety in the short term, the strategy raises some economic and racial equity concerns, and would surely lead to renewed calls to abolish the cams.

CTA’s proposed 2021 includes no service cuts or fare hikes — for now

By Courtney Cobbs | Oct 22, 2020 | No Comments

The 2021 budget will retain current fares and service levels. However, the budget is predicated on desired federal funds to make up for a $375 million COVID-related shortfall.

A Canteen PPE vending machine in the MTA. Photo Taidgh Barron, New York Post

Always use protection: PPE vending machines are coming to Chicago ‘L’ stations

By John Greenfield | Oct 21, 2020 | No Comments

While the initiative can't hurt, it won't be helpful for people who lack masks -- which are for sale just about everywhere nowadays -- because they can't afford to buy them.

Mayor Lightfoot at today's press conference.

Lightfoot warns against outdoor socializing, but implies indoor bar, restaurant service is safe

By John Greenfield | Oct 19, 2020 | No Comments

Lightfoot on backyard hangouts: "I'm here to tell you that that has to stop." But the mayor says relaxed rules on indoor bar and restaurant service isn't to blame for the recent spike in cases.

Michigan Avenue yesterday. Photo: John Greenfield

Chicago Loop Alliance: More residents are using private cars to commute downtown

By Sharon Hoyer | Oct 14, 2020 | No Comments

A report released yesterday by the CLA found a disproportionate spike in downtown parking rates recently as compared with pedestrian traffic and business activity.

Commuters at the Ogilvie Center. Image: WGN

Metra strikes back: Commuter railroad sues Union Pacific for refusing to collect fares

By John Greenfield | Oct 14, 2020 | No Comments

Today Metra ratcheted up the conflict another notch with a new lawsuit accusing Union Pacific of breach of contract.

A South Shore Line car during non-pandemic times. Photo: Jeff Zoline

“It’s foolish”: Experts say South Shore’s Mask Optional Car could cause super-spreader event

By Sharon Hoyer | Oct 9, 2020 | No Comments

"Clearly, it’s a bad idea,” said one infectious disease expert. “It’s really letting an ignorant public make health decisions the leadership of the South Shore Line should be providing with guidance from state government."

Waiting for the 79th Street bus at the Red Line station. Photo: James Porter

Lack of federal aid could reduce transit to 55K Chicagoland jobs, strand 210K people

By John Greenfield | Sep 29, 2020 | No Comments

The Active Transportation Alliance is asking Chicagoland residents to contact elected officials to ask them to support the $32 billion in emergency funding for transit.

Inbound and outbound trains stop at Union Pacific Northwest Metra Line's Palatine station during rush hour. Photo: Igor Studenkov

Metra may revamp fare structure, introduce new passes

By Igor Studenkov | Sep 28, 2020 | No Comments

As Metra prepares its 2021 budget amidst a 90-percent ridership drop, the commuter railroad is considering substantial changes its fare structure and service patterns.

Sign of the times: A masked rider on one of the new e-Divvies. Photo: John Greenfield

Divvy sets a new ridership record with more than 600K trips in August

By John Greenfield | Sep 21, 2020 | No Comments

Anecdotally, it's appeared that Chicago had been part of the national pandemic biking boom, but now we've got some data to back up that hunch.

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