With the clock winding down on Saturday, lawmakers couldn’t find a way to put the $770 million transit shortfall at the top of the list of a packed agenda. Now, Northeast Illinois’ transit agencies are left hanging over the edge of the so-called fiscal cliff. This inaction is more than just a missed opportunity — it’s a direct threat to […]

What can nearly $140 million do to improve walking, biking, and trails in Illinois? The answer is a lot! Indeed, one of the many great features of walking and biking infrastructure is that a relatively small amount of funding goes a long way when compared to typical infrastructure projects for driving. The Governor’s Office and Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) […]

With a May 31 deadline looming, leaders in Springfield are working down to the wire to address the region’s transit funding and operations crisis. If new funding is not approved by the end of the legislative session, transit agencies will be forced to begin to plan for devastating cuts in bus and train service. After years of degrading service and […]

The Active Transportation Alliance’s recent Movers and Shakers Ball brought together a vibrant community of advocates, planners, and partners to celebrate a remarkable milestone: forty years of championing people-centered mobility in Chicagoland. The energy in the room was palpable as attendees explored a series of inspiring exhibits — each one a testament to the bold ideas and creative vision that […]

Every day, over one million people in our region rely on public transit to get to work, school, and home. But right now, that lifeline is in jeopardy. Without urgent action from state lawmakers by the end of May, riders like you face real, immediate threats: Suspension of service on all or part of four CTA rail lines Elimination of over half […]

May 31 marks a crossroads for Chicagoland’s transit future. As the 104th session of the Illinois General Assembly concludes, lawmakers face a clear choice: invest in a world-class public transportation system or allow our region’s transit agencies to slide into a crisis of deep service cuts and missed opportunities. The Active Transportation Alliance, together with the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition […]

Here’s something that might surprise you: Rolling through a stop sign on a bike — when done with care — can actually make streets safer for everyone. While we’ve all been taught to treat stop signs as sacred, no matter our mode of transportation, new research is turning that old wisdom on its head. Enter the “Safety Stop,” a smart, […]

Chicago has always been a city of bold ideas — from the 1893 World’s Fair to the invention of the skyscraper. This spirit of innovation extends to transportation, where Chicago has made a name for itself for more than a century. When faced with the challenge of moving goods efficiently, Chicago responded by building the I&M Canal. A short time […]

The alarm bells are ringing loudly, and the stakes could not be higher. Without immediate action, the Chicago region’s transit system faces a catastrophic breakdown that will ripple through communities, businesses, and the economy. If the Illinois legislature fails to pass a transit funding bill by the end of May, the consequences will be devastating. Tens of thousands of residents […]

The long-awaited moment has arrived! After years of dedicated advocacy and collaboration, communities across Illinois soon will have the power to design intersections that are safer for people walking and biking. The governor has officially signed the bill, which will become law on Jan. 1, 2026. A SAFER FUTURE FOR ALL For too long, oversized intersections designed to accommodate massive […]