A recent study of health insurance costs finds that people who live in suburban areas outside of Chicago pay less for health insurance than those who live in the urban core.
"Based on major health-insurance carriers' rates and policies, people living 15 miles to 25 miles from downtown Chicago pay 12 percent to 15 percent less on their monthly premiums, and those who live 25 miles to 40 miles outside of the city pay 20 percent to 30 percent less, according to data compiled by Norvax Inc.
Chicago-based Norvax makes software that lets people search for the lowest or best private coverage offered by insurance brokers and agents. Norvax's public exchange, which boasts more than 80 insurance carriers, operates as GoHealthInsurance.com. Norvax's consumer markets team culled the data by running GoHealthIn surance.com quotes using 3,029 ZIP codes and 963 plans in Illinois, and then narrowing the field to the Chicago area."
FULL STORY: Health Insurance Cheaper in Suburbs

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions
An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.

What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?
The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.

Sean Duffy Targets Rainbow Crosswalks in Road Safety Efforts
Despite evidence that colorful crosswalks actually improve intersection safety — and the lack of almost any crosswalks at all on the nation’s most dangerous arterial roads — U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy is calling on states to remove them.
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.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie