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Decades of research shows that expanding roads doesn’t provide lasting congestion relief. More lanes means more traffic.

Help build a transportation platform for Illinois’ gubernatorial election

Apr 14, 2022 | by Kyle Whitehead

Active Transportation Alliance is planning a campaign to educate candidates and voters about key transportation issues facing the state and we need your help. 

Take our brief survey to share your input and ideas on our 2022 Sustainable Transportation Platform for Illinois. 

Illinois’ primary election for governor is on June 28 and the general election is set for November 8.

With transportation now the leading contributor to greenhouse gas emissions statewide primarily from fossil-fuel powered cars and trucks, this election is critical to building a more sustainable and equitable transportation system in Illinois.

After you complete the survey, join us for a virtual discussion where you’ll be able to learn more about the platform, ask questions, and vote on which ideas should be included. The discussion will be led by Active Trans and our friends at Ride Illinois. 

 

Tuesday, May 3 at 6 p.m.

Wednesday, May 4 at noon

Both sessions will be identical so feel free to choose the time that works best for your schedule. 

BACKGROUND ON 2022 ELECTIONS 

Once it’s finalized, Active Trans will share the platform with all candidates for governor. As a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, we are not permitted to endorse candidates, but we are able to educate candidates and voters about our issues. 

The governor appoints the secretary of the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and oversees the state’s decision making on all transportation policies and projects. They propose and approve the transportation budget and all major projects. 

For decades Illinois has focused on traffic speed and free-flowing traffic above all other considerations, namely safety, public health, equity, and sustainability.

As a result, walking and biking are unsafe and uncomfortable on nearly all state roads while traffic crashes, serious injuries, and fatalities are on the rise — especially on state-controlled arterial roads. 

Most Illinoisans lack access to reliable public transit service and few state roads allow for swift movement of public transit with features like bus only lanes and transit-signal priority. 

You can join us in urging Illinois’ next governor to address these issues by taking our brief survey and attending an information session about the platform.