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Only 0.7 percent of federal transportation funds are spent on improving pedestrian facilities.

Tell Mayor Lightfoot to fund busways and safe streets

Aug 26, 2019 | by Kyle Whitehead

In building the first budget of her administration, Mayor Lightfoot can chart a new course for Chicago’s transportation network.

Now you need to make sure she follows through on her campaign promises to make it safer, healthier, and more affordable to get around Chicago.

Leading up her budget address on October 16, Mayor Lightfoot is collecting feedback on Chicago’s budget priorities. Four budget town halls are scheduled for September:

  • Sept. 4: 6 to 8 p.m., Copernicus Center, 5216 W. Lawrence Ave.,
  • Sept. 14: 9 to 11 a.m., Roberto Clemente High School, 1147 N. Western Ave.
  • Sept. 19: 6 to 8 p.m. the Southeast United Methodist Youth and Community Center, 11731 S. Avenue O
  • Sept. 25: 6 to 8 p.m., Lindblom Math and Science Academy, 6130 S. Wolcott Ave.

She also launched an online survey to guide the information covered in the town halls.

Chicago residents, please complete the seven-question survey and consider attending a town hall.

In sharing your feedback, we urge you to highlight two budget asks that Mayor Lightfoot pledged to support during the campaign and early in her new administration.

SAFE STREETS FUND

It’s well known that walking and bicycling infrastructure saves lives and boosts the long-term health of residents. Historically, the city has spent little local money on walking and biking — especially in low-income communities of color where most serious and fatal traffic crashes occur.

2020 Budget Ask: Create a $20 million Safe Streets Fund for street safety projects in the city’s highest crash corridors.

BUS PRIORITY STREETS

Fewer Chicagoans are riding the bus because service is slow and unreliable. Instead, they are choosing transportation options that are more expensive and less efficient, healthy, and green. Features like dedicated lanes, traffic signal priority, and faster boarding bring riders back the bus and make it easier for all Chicagoans to get around.

2020 Budget Ask: Fund bus priority zone improvements on at least three high-ridership routes.