Blog

Federal stimulus bill includes $1.6 billion for Chicagoland transit

Mar 27, 2020 | by Kyle Whitehead

Transit advocates in Chicago and cities across the country spoke up and Congress heard our call to provide emergency operating assistance for public transit during the COVID-19 crisis.

The COVID-19 stimulus bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives Friday includes $25 billion for transit, including $1.6 billion for Chicagoland agencies. Reports indicate CTA will get approximately $800 million, Metra will get more than $400 million, and Pace will get about $100 million.

Transit operators need stronger protections

Mar 27, 2020 | by Julia Gerasimenko

As of March 30, six CTA bus and train operators have tested positive for COVID-19. A Pace bus driver has also tested positive for COVID-19.

There are likely many more who have the virus, and we expect to hear more confirmations of operators testing positive in the coming days and weeks.

These diagnoses beg the question of what steps are being done to contain and mitigate the spread of the virus among essential workers operating buses and trains.

Essential travel must take priority during COVID-19 crisis

Mar 26, 2020 | by Kyle Whitehead

As we’re all now facing new anxieties and disruptions to our daily lives as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, taking a break outdoors may serve as a needed relief. We remind people to be thoughtful of others when choosing to spend time in public spaces.

On Thursday Mayor Lightfoot announced the closure of the Lakefront Trail, 606, Riverwalk, and associated parks. This is part of a broader “Stay Home, Save Lives” campaign to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Local walking and biking champion dies of COVID-19

Mar 23, 2020 | by Ted Villaire

People in the sustainable transportation world were saddened by the recent loss of John LaPlante, who died as a result of COVID-19.

LaPlante, who served as the first Chicago Department of Transportation Commissioner, was dedicated to creating better conditions for people walking and biking in Chicago and throughout the nation.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot issued the following statement on Sunday:

“John LaPlante’s passing reminds us all of a turning point in the transportation life of our city.

Bike shops to stay open during “stay at home” order

Mar 20, 2020 | by Ted Villaire

When Governor Pritzker announced a “stay at home” order today, we were glad that his office followed our recommendation to allow bike shops to stay open.

In the executive order, bike shops are considered “essential businesses” during this widespread shutdown, along with pharmacies, banks, gas stations, and other businesses people need to have access to (see number 12, part E of the executive order). The order will be in effect until April 7.

Tell Congress any COVID-19 stimulus bill must include public transit

Mar 20, 2020 | by Kyle Whitehead

Initial drafts of the COVID-19 stimulus bill being prepared in Washington, D.C., don’t include any mention of public transit.

As public transportation loses riders at levels unseen before, the transit agencies are already starting to make cuts in service. Major cuts in service and shutting down transit lines would be devastating for people who continue to rely on transit in their everyday lives during the pandemic.

Transit agencies in the Chicago area and cities across the country need emergency assistance NOW to keep their systems running and clean.

Bike shops must stay open during possible “shelter in place” order

Mar 19, 2020 | by Julia Gerasimenko

The next important step in the response to the growing threat of the coronavirus will likely involve a “shelter in place” order. This order, which could be enacted by local and state officials, would likely require all but “essential businesses” to close.

These essential businesses could include gas stations, pharmacies, grocery stores, convenience stores, take-out and delivery restaurants, hardware stores, banks, and a few other types of businesses.

We want to ensure that bike shops are among the essential businesses allowed to stay open in the event of a shelter in place order.

Continuing to push for safe, just, and livable streets

Mar 19, 2020 | by Melody Geraci

We hope you and your loved ones are staying healthy during these deeply unsettling times.

Like countless other organizations, the coronavirus pandemic will undoubtedly have a major effect on the work we do over the coming weeks and months. For starters, we have postponed all of our in-person meetings, our trainings, and other events planned for coming weeks. Our staff is working from home and we’re encouraging them to take the steps necessary to protect themselves and their loved ones for the foreseeable future.

Public transit is critical to Chicago’s COVID-19 response

Mar 19, 2020 | by Kyle Whitehead

Emergency funding is needed to keep Chicago’s public transit system running throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thousands of essential workers like healthcare professionals and grocery store clerks rely on buses and trains to get to work. Many Chicagoans living in historically marginalized communities rely on transit to get to essential businesses like grocery stores and pharmacies.

Transit is critical to the Chicago region’s public health response to COVID-19. Bus and train service must be maintained for the healthcare system and local economies to continue to function.

Reform – don’t ban – red light camera programs

Mar 17, 2020 | by Melody Geraci

As legislators in Springfield consider legislation to ban red light cameras in many Illinois communities, it’s important to recognize the proven safety benefits.

When used fairly and effectively, research shows that red light cameras make our streets safer for everybody.

In 2017 researchers at the Northwestern University Transportation Center found that Chicago’s red-light camera program delivers significant safety benefits. The study discovered that serious right-angle and turning crashes decreased by 19 percent at intersections with cameras,