Blog

Annual walking & biking funding program gets a big boost

Jun 10, 2021 | by Maggie Melin Czerwinski

Active Trans is proud to report that one of the most important state funding sources for walking and biking improvements is awarding its largest annual amount ever.

The three-fold increase is the result of a statewide campaign led by Active Trans and helped along by supporters like you pushing for dedicated state funding for walking and biking.

The funding source — called the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) and administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) — is putting nearly $106 million toward walking,

Bike Palatine Club joins forces to celebrate National Bike Month

Jun 7, 2021 | by Active Trans

Teamwork is a key ingredient when it comes to encouraging more people to take up biking.

The Bike Palatine Club discovered that firsthand when it collaborated with a variety of community groups to celebrate National Bike Month in May.

Together they organized activities and public displays that promoted the benefits of cycling.

Palatine Mayor Jim Schwantz kicked off the celebration with a proclamation declaring May as National Bike Month in the community at the May 3 Village Council meeting.

Join us for a vigil honoring Kevin Clark’s life and legacy

Jun 3, 2021 | by Kyle Whitehead

The family of Kevin Clark is hosting a vigil and press conference on Saturday, June 12, at 10 a.m. at the Logan Square Monument. Kevin was tragically hit and killed in May while riding his bike near Logan Boulevard and Western Avenue.

Speakers will remember Kevin’s life and legacy and call for improving bicycling safety in Logan Square and neighborhoods throughout Chicago. We will also install a ghost bike memorial for Kevin near the crash site.

The Navy Pier Flyover: a long journey now complete

Jun 2, 2021 | by Maya Norris

The wait is over. After several years of delays and a lengthy construction process, the Navy Pier Flyover is finally complete. The long-awaited bridge for people walking and biking will help ease traffic congestion and improve safety along the Chicago Lakefront Trail and near Navy Pier while enriching the city’s skyline with an iconic, one-of-a-kind architectural wonder.

Last month, Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Gov. J.B. Pritzker, the Chicago Department of Transportation, the Chicago Park District,

Victory! Illinois legislators eliminate local match for walk/bike infrastructure

Jun 1, 2021 | by Kyle Whitehead

Update (8/30/21): Illinois House Bill 270 is now law. Effective August 30th, the state will cover 100 percent of the cost of walking and biking infrastructure on state roads.

After many months of effort from advocates and legislators, the Illinois House and Senate passed a bill mandating that the state cover 100 percent of the cost of walking and biking infrastructure on state roads, just like they do for cars and trucks. 

Why Illinois should eliminate the local match for walking and biking infrastructure

May 20, 2021 | by Active Trans

The following post is excerpted from George Fero’s recent testimony before the Illinois Senate Transportation Committee about House Bill 270, which eliminates the 20 percent local cost share for walking and biking infrastructure.

Fero serves as an alderman on the city council in Lebanon, a Southern Illinois town with about 4,500 residents. He also serves on the board of the statewide bike advocacy organization Ride Illinois and is vice-president of Gateway East Trails,

Shared streets program: looking back and looking ahead

May 19, 2021 | by Active Trans

Last summer, Chicago’s shared streets program provided opportunities for residents to safely spend time outside during the peak of the pandemic. While people appreciated the extra space for recreation and safely being outdoors, the program did little to address connectivity issues with the city’s walking and biking networks, according to feedback from Active Trans members and supporters. 

Recently, the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) announced that the Shared Streets program will continue in 2021 with $500,000 allocated towards 12 to 13 miles of shared streets.

Take action now for more sidewalks and bike lanes on state roads

May 17, 2021 | by Kyle Whitehead

After passing in the Illinois House of Representatives last month, our bill — HB 270 — to eliminate the local cost share for walking and biking infrastructure on state roads has now passed out of committee in the Illinois Senate.

But there’s only two weeks left in the legislative session and we need to make sure it’s called to the floor for a vote.
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Please ask your senator to co-sponsor HB 270 and vote for it when it’s called on the floor. 

Rep. Buckner files bill to stop public financing of One Central development

May 10, 2021 | by Kyle Whitehead

The proposed One Central tower and transit hub on Chicago’s South Side is poorly conceived and wouldn’t increase transit access for the city’s highest need residents.

Thankfully, State Rep. Kam Buckner has introduced a bill (House Bill 4075) to ensure the project doesn’t receive $6.5 billion in public funds.

Buckner, whose district includes the site, says he’s heard from constituents opposed to the project and he’s angry that it was “rammed through without real conversations” with people who represent the area.

Now is the time for a transformative capital plan

Apr 26, 2021 | by Jim Merrell

The just-announced Chicago Works Five Year Capital Plan offers Chicago an extraordinary opportunity to show how walking, biking, and transit can help spark and sustain an equitable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The plan highlights a number of inspiring and potentially transformational projects, including $159.2 million dedicated to the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) in 2021 and 2022 for Complete Streets improvements — like protected bike lanes and dedicated bus lanes.