Illinois

CTA Purple Line train

Editorial: Use TIF to Fund Transit Improvements in Chicago

The Chicago Tribune supports the use of tax increment financing to fund a $2.1 billion project to revamp the Red and Purple lines on the CTA system in Chicago.

October 8, 2019 - Chicago Tribune

Chicago Construction

Chicago's Tallest Office Building Since 1990 Cracks the Top 20 Tallest in the City

The Bank of America Tower is the newest skyscraper to line the Chicago River.

October 3, 2019 - Chicago Tribune

Rock Island Line

Another New Commuter Rail Station for Chicago's South Side Transit Deserts

A South Side Chicago neighborhood with a history of neglect and disinvestment will soon be adding a new train station on the regional commuter system.

October 2, 2019 - Chicago Tribune

Chicago, Illinois

Lincoln Common, a 1.1-Million-Square-Foot Development, Takes Shape in Chicago

A massive new development in Chicago's Lincoln Park is taking shape, and the local architecture critic has offered a positive review of the final product.

October 1, 2019 - Chicago Tribune

Chicago Rain

Editorial Sounds Alarms About the 'Illinois Exodus'

The Chicago Tribune sends a message to the political leadership of Illinois and Chicago about population decline, and its causes.

September 30, 2019 - Chicago Tribune

Electric Pickup Truck Manufacturer Scores Huge 'Climate' Order from Amazon

To show his company's commitment to becoming carbon neutral by 2040, Jeff Bezos announced Thursday that Amazon would purchase 100,000 battery-electric delivery vans from Michigan-based Rivian. The trucks will begin service in 2021.

September 23, 2019 - Bloomberg News via Transport Topics

Street Construction

A Traffic Safety Commitment for Chicago's West Side

Transportation planning will take on a much more safety-oriented focus according to the West Side Vision Zero Traffic Safety Plan announced last week.

September 16, 2019 - Streetsblog Chicago

Springfield, Illinois

Higher Speeds from St. Louis to Chicago Delayed Again for Amtrak

Long awaited improvements on the Amtrak route between Chicago and St. Louis are being delayed again, this time because of trouble installing positive train control (PTC).

September 11, 2019 - St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Bucktown and Wicker Park, Chicago

Good News for Traffic Fatalities in Chicago

At least one of the country's largest cities has positive progress to report when it comes to reducing the number of people killed on streets.

September 10, 2019 - Streetsblog Chicago

CTA Train

Work Ready to Begin on $2.1 Billion Red and Purple Line Modernization in Chicago

The Chicago Transit Authority's largest-ever construction project, also one of its most controversial projects, will begin construction soon.

September 8, 2019 - Chicago Tribune

Coal Ash

Four Illinois Coal Plants to Close

Vistra Energy is closing coal power plants in Illinois, each of which employs between 60 to 90 workers.

September 5, 2019 - NBC

Chicago skyline

New Energy Rating System for Chicago Buildings

The city will evaluate all buildings over 50,000 square feet and make the energy performance ratings and information easily accessible.

August 29, 2019 - Smart Cities Dive

Lime Scooters

Chicago Dockless Scooters Used Across the City, New Study Shows

Data from the city's e-scooter pilot program show that they might be filling in the first-mile/last-mile gap for riders at all income levels.

August 27, 2019 - Streetsblog Chicago

Casino

Large Doses of Skepticism for Chicago Casinos

The idea of a casino in Chicago didn't sound like a good idea to a state-hire consultant, nor does it seem like the city's Pulitzer Prize winning architecture critic likes the idea either.

August 18, 2019 - Chicago Tribune

Hydroponic Farming

Is This Chicago Indoor Vertical Farm the Future of Agriculture?

A new indoor vertical farming venture in Chicago seeks to change agricultural production by harnessing technology.

August 15, 2019 - Chicago Tribune

Chicago Street

Via Rideshare Service Expands in Chicago

The company hopes that a broader service area and discounted rides will help people better access transit services.

August 14, 2019 - Chicago Tribune

Metra Commuter Rail

Editorial: Cheaper Metra on the South Side Would Ease Chicago's Transit Inequities

The Red Line extension to 130th is still unfunded and a universal Chicago fare card hasn’t materialized, but in the immediate term, the Metra can run more trains and charge lower fares to help get the South Side moving.

August 12, 2019 - Chicago Tribune

Chicago Commuter Rail

Chicago's Metra Will Build a 95th Street Station

Metra’s Electric line is one of the few places where Chicago’s commuter rail owns the tracks. Transit advocates have lobbied for years for the service to be run more like traditional public transit.

August 9, 2019 - Curbed Chicago

Interstate 94

Maurice Cox Departs Detroit to Lead Planning Chicago

The highly praised head of planning in Detroit will assume the same role in Chicago.

August 8, 2019 - CBS Chicago

Chicago Suburb

A Frank Discussion About Struggling Suburbs

Many suburban areas outside thriving urban cores are struggling to deliver vital services and maintain property values as job and population growth stagnates. It's time to confront the realities of those communities, according to this article.

August 5, 2019 - Governing

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.