Illinois

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

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

Southside Chicago

Many Contender Sites for Chicago Casino

The decision about where to locate a new casino project depends on competing goals—to maximize revenues or bring jobs and development to neighborhoods that need them.

June 13, 2019 - Chicago Tribune

CTA Chicago

The Many Nicknames for Chicago's Elevated Railway

The el/El/L debate has never been resolved, but the CTA says its usage is the correct one.

June 1, 2019 - Chicago Magazine

Chicago Flooding

The Threat of Urban Flooding in Chicago

Chicago residents living in low-lying parts of the city dread the rainfall that too often brings flooding.

May 18, 2019 - Chicago Tribune

Chicago Street

Design Thinking Needs a Broader Perspective

A design-focused study of mode choice doesn’t consider the many ways people interact with and travel through urban environments.

May 15, 2019 - City Observatory

Jackson Park Chicago

Obama Presidential Center Still Facing Controversies

The project will bring money and visitors to Chicago’s South Side, but the community wants more assurances that the future of residents will be a priority.

March 25, 2019 - Next City

Chicago Street

Report Identifies Priorities for Chicago's Mobility Future

A new mobility task force report looks to guide the city toward a more multimodal transportation system that addresses accessibility and congestion.

March 22, 2019 - Chicago Tribune

Chicago Aerial

Chicago Music Venue Operators Still Concerned About Lincoln Yards Project

Assurances that the plan will not include large commercial venues have not calmed fears about the future of local independent clubs.

January 18, 2019 - Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bus

Chicago Ordinance Focuses on Equitable TOD

Transit-oriented development has ramped up in Chicago, but racial and economic inequities have come along with it. A proposed ordinance would expand TOD zones while also preventing displacement of residents.

December 21, 2018 - Streetsblog Chicago

Stony Island Arts Bank Chicago

Theaster Gates Brings Together Planning and Art to Empower Communities

His work in Chicago has created spaces that protect and celebrate black lives and experience.

December 12, 2018 - Forbes

Chicago River North Branch

Plan Changes for Chicago’s Lincoln Yards Project

The massive proposed development project on the Chicago River is facing a host of questions about density, open space, and infrastructure.

December 2, 2018 - Chicago Tribune

Pilsen Chicago

The Problems With Tax Increment Financing and How to Fix Them

Tax increment financing (TIF) districts are common in municipalities across the country. However, the economic development tool is also poorly understood and often the target of criticism.

November 13, 2018 - Lincoln Institute of Land Policy

Miami Traffic Jam

Study Finds Fewer Young People Want Cars

Driving is often marketed as fun and liberating, but millennials aren’t buying it.

November 13, 2018 - Chicago Tribune

Chicago Parklet Andersonville

Chicago Parklet Designed to Be Flexible and Cost Effective

A newly installed parklet in Chicago is part of a larger program to engage the city’s public spaces.

November 12, 2018 - Next City

Chicago Divvy Bikeshare

Chicago Wants Bike Sharing to Reach All Parts of City

The city recently received a grant that will help it grow its bike-share network, particularly into areas that have been underserved.

November 4, 2018 - WTTW

CTA Chicago

Chicago and New York: Two Transit Systems, Two Very Different Outcomes

Both cities have aging transit systems in need of major repairs. Chicago’s approach has helped turn the system around while New York is still grappling with its issues.

October 25, 2018 - The New York Times

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Websites

The best of the Internet—since 2002.

Top Apps

Planning apps for a brave new world.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

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.