Recent Streetsblog CHICAGO posts about Pandemic

A dining tent on Southport Avenue in Lakeview. While residents are urged to never host non-household members, even in their backyards, it's still legal to drink at bars, many of which feature poorly ventilated shelters. Photo: John Greenfield

Here’s a smarter approach to Lightfoot’s self-contradictory Stay at Home advisory

By John Greenfield | Nov 12, 2020 | No Comments

Instead of telling residents to stay home except for essential trips and never hang out with friends, while keeping gyms, bars and restaurants open, the city should educate people about safe socializing and make outdoor dining and drinking safer.

The August Street Love Ride in Englewood. Photo: Cameron Bolton

Mitigating risks on group bike rides with COVID on the rise

By Sharon Hoyer | Nov 7, 2020 | No Comments

While group bike rides, even with masks and social distancing, aren't without risk during the pandemic, community activists say the benefits are worth it.

Universal Metra bicycle access via dedicated bike cars would be a game-changer

By John Greenfield | Nov 6, 2020 | No Comments

Bike cars on all trains on all lines during non-pandemic times would enable people to use bikes for first- and last-mile trips for downtown commutes.

Free mask dispensers on the CTA? Lightfoot: “We’ve done a tremendous amount already”

By John Greenfield | Nov 5, 2020 | No Comments

The mayor seems to be taking an "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" attitude. But feedback from straphangers suggests there's still room for improvement when it comes to mask compliance.

Opened drawbridges limiting entrance and egress to and from the Loop during the George Floyd protests. Photo: John Greenfield

Advocates blast mayor’s refusal to rule out a CTA shutdown if there’s election unrest

By John Greenfield | Oct 30, 2020 | No Comments

"I'm not going to hesitate" to shut down transit and Divvy again in the event of civil unrest Lightfoot told Streetsblog this morning.

The view from inside one of the Fulton Street domes. Photo: John Greenfield

Dome sweet dome? A look at more strategies to help bars and restaurants survive winter

By Sharon Hoyer | Oct 29, 2020 | No Comments

Here's a look at new kinds of outdoor dining, including greenhouses and domes, and the winners of the city's outdoor dining contest.

Corridor Brewing in Lakeview today. Photo: John Greenfield

Chicago businesses: Here’s what’s required to use parking lanes to enable outdoor seating

By John Greenfield | Oct 29, 2020 | No Comments

It turns out that the bureaucratic hoops aren't especially onerous, and they're a relative bargain thanks to the city waiving some of the associated fees.

The new pop-up bus lanes on 79th near Western Avenue. Photo: Courtney Cobbs

The 79th Street pop-up bus-only lanes are only a half-measure

By Courtney Cobbs | Oct 28, 2020 | No Comments

Red paint and effective enforcement is needed to make the lanes work better and actually improve bus speeds.

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.

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