Illinois

While public transit trips have been increasing, funding the systems remains a chronic problem, illustrated by the woes facing the Chicago El. This editorial urges Congress to increase the gas tax to provide all transit systems more revenue.

Santiago Calatrava unveils his Chicago Spire -- slated to be the tallest building in the nation -- in three dimensions to a mostly appreciative audience.

For Chicago's El, big decisions must be made to modernize the nations' second largest transit system and alleviate it routine budget shortfalls.

The first of its kind development is hoping to transform the booming interest in all things green into, well, green.

Developers in Ozark, Illinois have incorporated a historic cemetery into a downtown revitalization project, hoping to create usable open space for the community.

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, whose city has typically been recognized for its environmental leadership, recently visited Chicago to observe the pioneering work of Mayor Daley in implementing green building principles and gather new ideas.

Though only a few towers remain from Chicago's notorious Cabrini Green housing project, new and old problems persist.

As part of a federal plan to accelerate the planning of new multistate highway corridors, Indiana is rallying support for a 63-mile, privately-funded tollway to connect the state to neighboring Illinois.

Chicago Transit Authority board members prefer to drive, leading the mass transit riding public to think they don't understand system problems.

Architect Helmut Jahn's design for a new single-room occupancy building on the edge of Chicago's former Cabrini Green project gets high marks, but some criticize the cost of using high-end architects for affordable housing.

Chicago Mayor Richard Daley proposed a revised version of a crosstown expressway his father, former Mayor Richard J. Daley, first envisioned almost 30 years ago. The mayor's new plan for a Mid-City Transitway would utilize existing rights of way.

Chicago is keen to use porous asphalt and paving for new transportation projects, touting its environmental benefits, but questions remain about its long term effectiveness -- including its ability to withstand Chicago winters.

As more seniors and empty nesters seek to reclaim the downtown lifestyle of their youth, small towns across America are experiencing a second chance at economic vitality.

A battle is raging in rural Illinois over a proposed multi-county water authority that would control the use and tax of water within the heavily farmed region. Many farmers fear a loss of control, and developers anticipate more restrictions.

A back door plan to use eminent domain to provide additional parking for a main street shopping district creates outrage in a Chicago area community.

Developers in Chicago are hoping to reuse an old lamp factory building by transforming it into a green merchandise mart.

Despite declining manufacturing employment, Chicago has continuously reinvented itself -- resulting in a thriving, diverse economy that leverages the throngs of young professionals continually attracted to the city.

Two new environmentally-friendly housing projects in Chicago are geared towards the city's homeless population.

Owners of 19th Century homes in Chicago are seeing condo developments moving rapidly into their neighborhoods despite the efforts of preservationists.