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on Active Trans and topics that
we care about in the region.

Time is running out! Tell Gov. Pritzker: Illinois needs $1.5B for transit to keep our communities thriving

By Jim Merrell | May 30, 2025

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 […]

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Celebrating 40 years of progress toward cleaner, healthier transportation

By Ted Villaire | May 9, 2025

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 […]

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Join Transit Days of Action: May 8 & 13

By Maggie Melin Czerwinski | May 2, 2025

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 […]

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On the line: Why transit investment can’t wait

By W. Robert Schultz III | May 1, 2025

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 […]

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Safety Stop makes streets safer for people biking

By Ted Villaire | April 23, 2025

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, […]

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Reimagining Chicago’s transportation future on May 2

By Ted Villaire | April 16, 2025

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 […]

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State lawmakers must fully fund transit operations before it’s too late

By Ted Villaire | April 10, 2025

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 […]

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We won safer intersections for Illinois!

By Ted Villaire | April 1, 2025

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 […]

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Beyond the bike lane: A high school senior’s approach to cycling safety

By Ted Villaire | March 21, 2025

Rohan Uppalapati, a high school senior at Walter Payton College Prep, is driven by a deep interest in computer engineering and urban planning. This passion extends to creating safer, more inclusive biking infrastructure that would encourage more people to take up cycling for transportation. For an independent school project, Rohan has taken on the ambitious task of analyzing Chicago’s streets. […]

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Act now for a regionally-focused, rider-centered transit system

By Ted Villaire | March 7, 2025

The fight for a clean and reliable transportation system is ramping up in Springfield, and we need your help! If you want to see a game-changing solution to our transit challenges, promising not just survival but a thriving future for public transportation in the region, we need you to act now. Please consider filling out a witness slip on behalf […]

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