Did You Know?
A robust community of advocates gather together
The Active Transportation Alliance’s recent annual member party was abuzz with excitement as participants celebrated the organization’s successes of the past year and shared plans for the coming months.
The highlight of the evening was a panel discussion focusing on the work of local partners involved in sustainable transportation advocacy.
Panelists shared information about how they became involved in the work and their current efforts underway.
Most importantly, they shared advice for other grassroots advocates on how to build and execute successful advocacy campaigns.
Here are a few of their comments.
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR LOCAL ADVOCATES?
Rony Islam from Chicago Bike Grid Now!
“Build a very robust community and network of people around you. Those are the people who will be fighting with you, helping you organize events, reaching out to elected officials.
“Another lesson I’ve learned while organizing is the importance of resilience. Nothing will ever go the way you want or expect it to go, especially when working with legislators.”
Eladio Montenegro from the McKinley Park Development Council
“Build on top of what other folks have done. See what’s out there that other cities have done. Spot their ideas and ask yourself how that matches up with what you’re trying to do.”
Charlie Saxe from Suburban Advocates for Safe Streets
“It’s really important to have a good, strong narrative about what it is you want to achieve, and what’s the path to getting there, and how people can get involved and contribute to be part of the process.”
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A YEAR OF TRIUMPHS
In her remarks to more than 100 attendees, Active Transportation Alliance Executive Director Amy Rynell painted a picture of the transformation taking place across Chicagoland.
She lauded the increase in cycling in the city as well as the sharp decline in crashes and fatalities. She said we have ATA to thank for playing a key role in these successes. Our supporters, she said, should recognize their role in pushing for new infrastructure that is making walking and biking safer.
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“What a year of progress!” she said. “It’s extraordinary to see the impacts of the policies we’ve fought for over the last five years coming to fruition.”
She cited a recent poll showing that 72% of Illinoisans want to shift investments toward transportation systems that make it easier and safer for people, including seniors and children, to walk, bike, and take public transit.
“You all contributed to these successes in small and big ways that, when brought together, is the special sauce of advocacy,” she said.
“We are an alliance,” said Rynell. “All of these actions and advocacy add up.”
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LOOKING AHEAD TO 2025
Among the most pressing challenges ahead is the urgency to properly fund our local transit system before it encounters deep cuts due to an enormous funding shortfall.
After years of advocacy, she said a bill to lower Chicago’s default speed limit to 25 mph will be coming up for a vote in City Council in coming weeks.
“Honestly, all I want for Christmas is a lower speed limit,” she confessed. “A lower speed limit will save lives and improve mobility. Traffic safety is a public health and safety crisis in Chicago, and speeding and reckless driving by motorists are at the heart of the problem.”
“It is a privilege and a responsibility to wake up every day and know how important and vital our work is,” she said. “It’s even more of a privilege to do it in partnership with all of you, leaders across the region, fighting to make your neighborhood safer and to increase mobility choices.”
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RECOGNIZING VOLUNTEERS AND BOARD MEMBERS
The event also offered the opportunity to welcome new board members: Nic Eichenseer, Joel Schoenmeyer, Dave Swedler, and Betty Vandenbosch. Outgoing board members Kim Bayma and Jackie Rouse were also recognized.
The volunteer awards showcased the outstanding contributions of people so generous with their time and energy. Kudos to the following people awarded for their volunteerism:
- Course Guardians Awards went to Elizabeth Adamczyk, Lorenzo Grego, Sean Robinson, and Dave Simmons
- Jill of All Trades Award went to Jean Brizzolara
- Volunteer of the Year was bestowed upon Victoria Perez-Reyes.
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Thanks to our sponsor Revolution Brewing for hosting the event, as well as Nandos’ Piri Piri and Dimo’s Pizza for donating their delicious food. A big thanks our presenting sponsor, Performance Wealth.
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