The Chicago City Council passed an ordinance to regulate companies like Uber and Lyft, but taxi cab companies and their political supporters believe the policy set by the Emanuel Administration doesn't go far enough.
Hal Dardick and Jon Hilkevitch report that the Chicago City Council preempted forthcoming state legislation in voting to regulate transportation network companies like Lyft, Uber, and Sidecar.
According to the report, "[aldermen] voted 34-10 in favor of the new regulations after an effort failed to delay the measure until the General Assembly passes its own set of rideshare regulations."
The ordinance ordinance approved by the City Council will go into effect in 90 days, at which point "companies whose driver workforce averages more than 20 hours per person each week will face stronger oversight, including a requirement that all drivers obtain chauffeur's licenses." However, "the ordinance leaves it to the ride-share companies like Uber X, Lyft and SideCar to police drivers in terms of how many work hours are logged."
Taxicab companies believe the ordinance does not go far enough in regulating the transportation network companies. The Emanuel Administration, however, argued against stronger regulation, saying that "the vast majority of ride-share drivers -- up to 75 percent -- work only part time." According to city officials, "there are likely 100 to 150 full-time ride-share drivers," according to Dardick and Hilkevitch.
FULL STORY: Chicago rideshare regulations approved
Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing
Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?
Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?
Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.
Updating LA’s Tree Rules Could Bring More Shade to Underserved Neighborhoods
A new USC study finds that relaxing Los Angeles’ outdated tree planting guidelines could significantly expand urban tree canopy and reduce shade disparities in lower-income neighborhoods, though infrastructure investments are also needed.
California's Canal Solar Projects Aim to Conserve Resources and Expand Clean Energy
California’s Project Nexus has begun generating electricity from solar panels installed over irrigation canals, with researchers and state agencies exploring statewide expansion to conserve water and boost clean energy production.
HHS Staff Cuts Gut Energy Assistance Program
The full staff of a federal program that distributes heating and cooling assistance for low-income families was laid off, jeopardizing the program’s operations.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
City of Moreno Valley
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
City of Cambridge, Maryland