Recent Streetsblog CHICAGO posts about Rahm Emanuel

The Little Village gateway on 26th Street. Photo: Jeff Zoline

Emanuel’s Plan for Pilsen and Little Village Doesn’t Go Far Enough to Prevent Displacement

By Lynda Lopez | Nov 16, 2018 | 15 Comments

Since the proposal only requires developers to make 10 percent of the on-site units affordable, it's insufficient to protect low-income and working-class families.

Emanuel opens the Bloomingdale Trail in June 2015. Photo: John Greenfield

What Rahm Got Right About Transportation, and What Still Needs to Change

By John Greenfield | Sep 4, 2018 | 6 Comments

After Emanuel's surprise announcement that he won't seek a third term, here's a look back at his transportation legacy, and recommendations for the mayoral hopefuls.

Aerial rendering of the new street layout. Image: CDOT

The City Is Finally Tackling the Complex, Dangerous Cermak/Wentworth Intersection

By John Greenfield | Jul 9, 2018 | 31 Comments

Today the second phase of the Wenthworth-Wells Connector project kicked off, which will eventually create a direct route from Chinatown to the South Loop.

The clock tower of the Gerber Building has been restored to its Roaring Twenties-era glory. Photo: John Greenfield

Gerber, Baby! Restoration of the 1923 Gerber Building Marks the end of the Wilson Rehab

By John Greenfield | Feb 5, 2018 | 16 Comments

With the recent restoration of the building's clock tower, the city calls the $203 million Wilson station rzenovation a success.

Elon Musk says he can dig a tunnel to O’Hare and transport air travelers via "electric pods." Illustration: Jonathan Roth

Transpo Advocates Discuss the Latest Plans for O’Hare Express

By John Greenfield | Dec 13, 2017 | 27 Comments

After reviewing the details from the RFQ, local transportation leaders aren't sure if the project would be a boon or a boondoggle.

A new study, and CTA officials, say ride-share has been cannibalizing transit ridership. Photo: Filip Frącz

Why Taxing Ride Share to Fund the CTA Makes Sense

By John Greenfield | Oct 26, 2017 | 16 Comments

It could help level the playing field and stop recent transit ridership bleeding.

$The fractal-like "Arpeggio" sculpture by Brititsh artist Cecil Balmond. Photo: John Greenfield$

New Platform, Entrance, Artwork Debut at Wilson Station

By John Greenfield | Oct 23, 2017 | 4 Comments

The Wilson 'L' station renovation in Uptown reached another major milestone today.

The Calatrava-inspired Washington-Wabash station will be opening in two weeks. Photo: John Greenfield

Washington-Wabash Opens August 31, State/Lake Station Expansion Planned

By John Greenfield | Aug 15, 2017 | 4 Comments

At a City Club of Chicago event yesterday Emanuel, Carter, and Scheinfeld touted the administration’s transportation achievements and gave a preview of upcoming projects.

Chicago Critical Mass cofounder and affordable housing developer Michael Burton campaigned for mayoral challenger Chuy Garcia in the last election. Photo courtesy of Burton

Actually Joravsky, Chicago Bicyclists Aren’t Single-Issue Voters

By John Greenfield | Apr 13, 2017 | 11 Comments

Recently my Chicago Reader colleague, political commentator Ben Joravsky, had an interesting conversation with Dave “Mr. Bike” Glowacz, author of the excellent guide “Urban Bikers’ Tips and Tricks,” on Joravsky’s WCPT-AM radio show. Joravsky, who said that he often bikes himself, argued that “so many” local cyclists have slavishly supported mayors Richard M. Daley and […]

During the lakefront expansion project at Fullerton, a temporary paved path was built next to Lake Shore Drive. Trail separation might look something like this, but with pedestrians on one of the paths and cyclists on the other. Photo: Michelle Stenzel, Bike Walk Lincoln Park

Hedge Fund Billionaire Ken Griffin Donates $12M for Lakefront Trail Separation

By John Greenfield | Dec 21, 2016 | 25 Comments

Residents have previously identified the creation of separate paths for pedestrians and bike riders on the 18.5-mile trail as a top priority for improving the lakefront.

Chicago’s First “Shared Street” on Argyle Is Officially Open for Business

By John Greenfield | Nov 5, 2016 | 11 Comments

This afternoon in Uptown, Mayor Rahm Emanuel, 48th Ward alderman Harry Osterman, and other local officials cut the ribbon on the Argyle “shared street,” a pedestrian-priority design inspired by similar streets in Asia and Europe. By calming traffic and blurring the lines between spaces for walking and vehicles, as well as providing more room for […]

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