This year, Active Trans is celebrating 35 years of advocating for better transportation options in the region.
To commemorate this milestone, we recently gathered virtually with fellow supporters to socialize, have some fun, and look back at the important work accomplished over the years.
The main focus of the event, however, was recognizing local individuals who are dedicated to making our region and our world better places for walking, biking, and public transportation.
Our four 2021 honorees have done a great deal to shape a more livable world with better transportation options, whether it be through elected office, advocacy and policy changes, or business and philanthropy. The videos below offer the brief remarks from each awardee (you can also watch the event in its entirety).
US Representative Jesús “Chuy” García: Public Leadership Award
- Rep. García knows that a well-functioning public transit system is connected to accessing economic opportunity and a better quality of life. He’s been a fierce advocate for creating better public transit, particularly in communities of color in the region.
- In the past year, Rep. Garcia successfully led the call to include adequate support for public transportation as part of the federal pandemic relief funding.
- In recent months, he introduced a measure with other members of Congress that would boost transit funding so that it’s equal to what the federal government spends on highways.
Jacky Grimshaw: Visionary Leadership Award
- Grimshaw has been a prominent, influential force that has helped to shape and advance an equitable, affordable, and sustainable transportation system. She has paved the way for women, and Black women in particular, in transportation, which has historically been a male-dominated field.
- In addition to her work in bringing equity-based transit-oriented development to the region, she played a role in the formation of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning and creating CTA’s U-Pass program.
- She consistently reminds us that without access to transportation, people are shut out from essential opportunities. And she has led the way in demonstrating how to use public policies to advance racial and economic equity.
Stan and F.K. Day: Catalytic Leadership Award
- Stan and F.K. Day, two brothers who founded SRAM in 1987, have been supporters of Active Trans for the past 20 years, joining forces with the organization to help get more people on bikes and improve conditions for bicycling throughout Chicagoland.
- Thanks to this support, Active Trans successfully pushed for a state capital bill to include $50 million annually for walking and biking projects. SRAM supported Active Trans’ advocacy for separation of the Lakefront Trail and the company has been a key supporter for the creation of Big Marsh, a bike park on the Chicago’s Southeast Side.
- The SRAM Cycling Fund awards grants to nonprofits across the globe that promote cycling infrastructure and the benefits of bicycling. The company has been a primary supporter for the international nonprofit organization World Bicycle Relief, which F.K. co-founded with Leah Missbach Day and now serves as the chairman of its board. World Bicycle Relief has distributed more than a half million rugged bicycles to residents of developing countries so they can access education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.
Thank you to Ana Belaval, Around Town reporter for the WGN Morning News, for serving as the emcee for the event, and thank you to everyone who helped celebrate.
Active Trans is able to carry out its work thanks to support and donations from people like you. If you’re not a member of Active Trans, please join us. Already a member? Consider donating to ensure that this important work keeps moving forward.
