Illinois

Ghost bikes, sad, silent tribute to those killed while riding bikes, are more controversial than seems possible. The Chicago Tribune has a map that endeavors to track their locations around the Chicago area.

February 18, 2017 - Chicago Tribune

The United Center, which is home to the Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks, will get a new elevated train station.

February 17, 2017 - Crain's

An exemplary display of Minecraft prowess.

February 17, 2017 - Chicago Tribune

Designed for a different era, Willis Tower's pedestrian-phobic base is in line for a complete overhaul. The goal is to open the immense tower to the street.

February 7, 2017 - Chicago Sun-Times

No cities are entirely urban, or even similar from one neighborhood to the next. The Corner Side Yard has some fun thinking about which Chicago neighborhoods we "Chicago in Name Only" and which of its suburbs are "Suburbs in Name Only."

February 6, 2017 - The Corner Side Yard

The city of Chicago intends to soundproof more homes this year than any in the 20-year history of the city's soundproofing program, insulating homes from the noise generated by the city's south side airport.

February 4, 2017 - Chicago Tribune

Chicago Department of Transportation Chief, Gabe Klein, suggests that crash hot spots should guide efforts to make streets safer.

January 31, 2017 - The Chicago Reader

Daniel Kay Hertz argues that, besides improving service, a little signage could save the city of Chicago billions of dollars in service expansion costs.

January 30, 2017 - Chicago Magazine

In San Francisco, many who drive for Uber sleep in parking lots and live elsewhere to avoid sky-high rents.

January 26, 2017 - Bloomberg Business

An editorial in Crain's suggests that by not taking full advantage of its history with the Blues, Chicago is wasting a precious cultural resource and missing an opportunity for tourism dollars.

January 26, 2017 - Crain's Chicago Business

The history of the Chicago Cultural Center, "the nation's first and most comprehensive free municipal cultural venue," offers insight into the shifting relationships between culture, politics, and money in the third-largest city in the United States.

January 17, 2017 - Soft City

The Emanuel Administration has yet to secure needed funding for a big project to update Chicago's Union Station. Now it's up to the Trump Administration to supply a needed loan.

January 14, 2017 - Crain's Chicago Business

After a scandal exposed widespread lead contamination in Chicago schools, new legislation requires regular lead testing.

January 13, 2017 - Politico

This story has had more twists than the end of Empire Strikes Back, but it seems like it finally might end in Los Angeles.

January 11, 2017 - Los Angeles Times

The city of Chicago was working hard to win the federal funding while the Obama Administration is still in power.

January 9, 2017 - The Chicago Tribune

A smart city pilot project, already in place at three locations in Chicago and on the way to two more, deploys sophisticated data gathering technology to measure the simple act of rainwater running downhill. Better green infrastructure will follow.

January 4, 2017 - Data-Smart City Solutions

Fans of @BobGunderson and @BicycleLobby will want to check out the Chicago winter version of the sardonic fake Twitter account, @606snowplow.

December 23, 2016 - Chi.Streetsblog

A $12 million gift from a local billionaire will enable a project to give separate access for bike and pedestrians on the popular Lakefront Trail.

December 22, 2016 - Chicago Sun Times

Texas and Utah were the leaders in growth for the 2015-2016 fiscal year; Illinois lost more residents than any other state.

December 21, 2016 - U.S. Census Bureau

A new study includes urban rivers as a potential powerful amenity for economic development and revitalization. The city of Chicago has already taken note.

December 19, 2016 - Chicago Magazine