Illinois

Hydrogen-powered zero-emissions public bus

Champaign-Urbana Awarded Grant to Electrify Bus Fleet

Funding from the Low or No Emission Vehicle federal program will help the city replace its buses with new electric and other zero- or low-emission vehicles.

July 19, 2023 - WAND

A large, multi-use building is adorned with blue canopies, pictured in the sunset of an urban landscape.

An Interview with the APA President: Angela D. Brooks, FAICP

APA President Angela D. Brooks discusses a career focused on affordable housing, supportive housing, and joint-use facilities. The interview suggest ways for planners to help solve some of the biggest challenges facing the country today.

July 3, 2023 - James Brasuell

Close-up of white "electric bus" logo on side of blue Chicago public transit bus

Chicago Adding to Electric Bus Fleet

The city is working toward its goal to fully convert its transit fleet to electric buses by 2040.

June 21, 2023 - Mass Transit

Interstate 55 with cars and green freeway signs in Chicago, Illinois

Illinois Legislators Pass Controversial I-55 Road Expansion Legislation

Legislation to enable the addition of express toll lanes on Interstate 55 in the Southwest Side of Chicago, opposed by environmental justice advocates, cleared the Illinois General Assembly last month.

June 7, 2023 - Chicago Tribune

Outdoor dining patio built next to a restaurant in Chicago

Chicago Mayor Proposes Permanent Outdoor Dining Program

The mayor’s proposal would create permanent rules for restaurants wanting to continue using their Covid-era outdoor dining setups or build new ones.

May 30, 2023 - Block Club Chicago

An Amtrak train waits at the Uptown Station in Normal, Illinois on its way from Chicago to St. Louis.

Chicago-St. Louis Corridor Trains Cleared for 110-mph Speeds

Amtrak has final federal approval for train speeds of 110 miles per hour between Joliet and Alton, culminating almost ten years of planning and investing.

May 4, 2023 - Amtrak

Chicago Divvy

Chicago Bike Share Expands Citywide

Divvy is now available in all 50 wards, with more stations and bikes planned for the system in the next two years.

May 3, 2023 - Chicago Tribune

Covered carport area for buses at Chicago Greyhound station with one white Greyhound bus parked

Chicago’s Greyhound Station Could Close

The terminal, sold last year, is the only intercity bus station in the city, serving hundreds of thousands of mostly low-income travelers each year.

April 26, 2023 - Smart Cities Dive

Close-up of crosswalk button for blind pedestrians labeled "button for audible signal only"

Chicago Found Liable for ADA Violations

A federal judge ruled that the city fails to provide “meaningful access” to many of its streets due to a lack of infrastructure for pedestrians with vision impairments at most of the city’s intersections.

April 10, 2023 - WGN

Round sign on building with white CTA logo on blue background

Friday Funny: Chicago Transit Has Imposter Syndrome

The Onion posits that the CTA’s failures stem from a debilitating fear of having riders rely on them.

April 7, 2023 - The Onion

Illinois State Capitol dome and city in Springfield, Illinois

Illinois Legislature to Consider Affordable Housing Tax Credit

A proposed tax credit could create thousands of new affordable housing units per year, its proponents say.

March 28, 2023 - The Real Deal

Chicago elevated train over busy city street surrounded by high-rise buildings

Chicagoland Transit Agencies Call for State Funding as Budget Shortfall Looms

Illinois transit agencies want to see changes to a law requiring them to collect half of their revenue from transit fares, arguing that low ridership and staffing shortages will lead to a massive budget gap without intervention.

March 24, 2023 - Crain's Chicago Business

Bike lane and line of cars on street in Chicago with sun in background

Chicago Approves New Parking Enforcement Pilot Programs

The city plans to test automated technology that will issue citations for blocking or parking in designated bike or bus lanes.

March 19, 2023 - Smart Cities Dive

Snow-covered Chicago sidewalk with piles of snow on either side and red brick homes on the right

Chicago Could Start Plowing Sidewalks Next Winter

Keeping sidewalks free of snow has historically been the task of adjacent property owners, forcing pedestrians and people with mobility challenges to navigate a patchwork of conditions. A new ordinance would place the responsibility on the city.

March 16, 2023 - Block Club Chicago

Paved two-way bike trail with yellow center line, green paint, and Chicago buildings inbackground

Chicago Advances Smart Streets, Complete Streets Ordinances

Two proposed laws would enhance road safety for bicyclists and pedestrians and improve the city’s multimodal infrastructure.

March 8, 2023 - Block Club Chicago

Chicago Illinois

‘We Will Chicago’ Plan Adopted in the Windy City

Chicago has its first “comprehensive plan” since the 1960s, but without a land use map, the “We Will Chicago” plan is devoted more to laying out the issues and challenges facing the city than setting new policies.

February 19, 2023 - Chicago Sun-Times

Chicago Transit

Chicago Transit Still Stumbling After Redesign

The city’s transit agency made changes to its schedules to make wait times more predictable and streamline services on the most popular routes, but riders are still experiencing headways longer than before the pandemic.

February 15, 2023 - Chicago Tribune

"Bike Lane Closed" and "Utility Work Ahead" signs on Chicago bike lane

Chicago Bike Lane Enforcement Proposal Draws Criticism for not Addressing Structural Flaws

A new ordinance would use automated enforcement to ticket drivers who block bike lanes, but some bike advocates say the city is avoiding the harder work of improving its bike infrastructure.

February 9, 2023 - Block Club Chicago

Rendering of modern black and brown one-story backyard home design

Taking the ADU Model to the Next Level

How can we get more accessory dwelling units built, keep them affordable, and make them a force for increasing racial equity?

January 26, 2023 - Shelterforce Magazine

Crosswalk in Chicago with newly installed yellow delineators and speed bumps

Chicago Left Turn Traffic Calming Reduces Crashes

The city installed reflective posts and speed bumps at dangerous intersections to induce drivers to take left turns more slowly and carefully.

January 24, 2023 - Axios

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.