Recent Streetsblog CHICAGO posts about take action

One Change to IDOT’s Rail Plans Could Vastly Improve Amtrak, Metra Service

By Steven Vance | Feb 26, 2014 | 78 Comments

Amtrak trains would run faster between Chicago and Joliet in the Illinois Department of Transportation’s proposal to switch St. Louis-bound trains to less crowded tracks. But IDOT’s project could be even better with a few key changes. By folding the track upgrade known as CrossRail into the Amtrak project, IDOT could improve intercity trains and […]

IDOT to Waste $43 Million Trying to Relieve Kennedy Congestion

By Steven Vance | Feb 12, 2014 | 72 Comments

The Illinois Department of Transportation is pulling another bad idea out of its old bag of tricks, proposing to add two traffic lanes on the Kennedy Expressway between Harlem Avenue and Cumberland Avenue. Also included in IDOT’s proposal are modified ramps at Cumberland and a new ramp onto the Tri-State Tollway (I-294). IDOT’s stated goal […]

Arena’s Foe Attacks Milwaukee Safety Overhaul, Advocates Fight Back

By John Greenfield | Jan 28, 2014 | 58 Comments

John Garrido, a Chicago cop and part-time lawyer, narrowly lost to 45th Ward Alderman John Arena in the 2011 election. Now Garrido has started an online petition against the city’s plan for a road diet and protected bike lanes on Milwaukee in the district, a project that Arena has endorsed. The Chicago Department of Transportation […]

A Look at the Illiana Tollway Boondoggle From Indiana’s Perspective

By Steven Vance | Jan 24, 2014 | 7 Comments

The Illinois Department of Transportation is pushing forward with the risky and unnecessary Illiana Tollway by announcing its “short list” of four finance and construction groups that can build the 35-mile Illinois portion. Streetsblog has reported abundantly from the Illinois perspective — including a look at IDOT’s own analysis showing a net decrease in Illinois jobs as […]

Tomorrow’s the Last Day to Comment on IDOT’s Circle Interchange Expansion

By Steven Vance | Apr 16, 2013 | 5 Comments

Tomorrow is the final day to enter a comment into public record about the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Circle Interchange expansion project. Here’s a quick rundown of what can realistically be influenced at this point: It goes without saying that the project’s elevated highway ramps, or flyovers, will be an aesthetic blight and a detriment […]