Illinois

Designing a Memorial Befitting Burnham

The author of this article expresses their concern for a potential Daniel Burnham memorial that does little to represent his ideas--or good planning.

March 4, 2009 - Chicago Tribune

Midwest Expecting High Speed Rail Windfall From Stimulus

The Midwest has high hopes on capturing a big chunk of the federal stimulus money directed towards high speed rail projects.

February 28, 2009 - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Achieving Burnham's Green Vision for Chicago

Recognizing that urban greenery is crucial city dwellers' health and well-being, experts in Chicago spent the 100th anniversary of Daniel Burnham's "Plan of Chicago" by discussing ways to attain its vision.

February 18, 2009 - Medill Reports

Grassroots Tour Organizers Knock Down "Environmental Racism"

An organization in Chicago's Little Village gives tours to educate its Mexican-American residents on how they can improve their notoriously polluted community. Grassroots efforts like this are being lauded by environmental justice groups.

January 30, 2009 - Chicago Tribune

States Prepare To Raise Gas Taxes

Plummeting gas prices, roads in disrepair, and soaring state deficits have caused some state politicians to, gasp, attempt to raise gas taxes - last raised over 15 years ago in some states.

January 17, 2009 - The New York Times

A Year For City Ideas in Chicago

Chicago's 100-year anniversary of the Daniel Burnham city plan offers an opportunity to rethink how the city works and how it should look for the next 100, according to this piece from Blair Kamin.

January 13, 2009 - Chicago Tribune

Chicago Misses Deadline for $153 Million Transit Grant

The city of Chicago has missed a deadline to approve a pending parking fee ordinance that would have helped the city qualify for $153 million in federal grant money.

January 12, 2009 - Crain's Chicago Business

Agreement to Increase Freight Train Traffic Roils Suburbs

A new agreement has been made that would divert more freight train traffic through Chicago area suburbs. Local communities upset about the increased traffic are expected to challenge the decision.

January 4, 2009 - Chicago Tribune

Corrupt Officials in Chicago Allowed to Trump Zoning and Planning

In a continuing investigation, the Chicago Tribune reports on the bribes and corruption that have resulted from the Chicago policy of allowing local aldermen final say -- over local zoning and planning -- on what gets built.

January 2, 2009 - Chicago Tribune

Congregation Hits Wall in Bid to Raze Historic Chicago Church

The high costs of preservation and the current economic downturn have pushed the Chicago archdiocese to request a demolition permit for a historic church. But preservationists are pushing back.

December 19, 2008 - Chicago Tribune

Republican LaHood Chosen As Transportation Secretary

Surprising many, IL Congressman Ray LaHood, a Republican, was selected to fill the transportation position in Obama's administration, presumably to show a bi-partisan approach. Transportation reauthorization and the stimulus package await LaHood.

December 18, 2008 - The Wall Street Journal

Protests Arise as Historic Chicago Park Eyed as Olympic Site

As part of its bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympics, the city of Chicago has proposed a slight change to the layout of its Olympic stadia. The only problem is that the newly proposed site for the aquatics center is listed on the National Register.

December 16, 2008 - Chicago Tribune

Crackdown on Continuous Riding on Chicago's Trains

The Chicago Transit Authority is cracking down on 'continuous riders', people who sleep or hang out in the subway through the winter nights to keep warm. Advocates worry the crackdown will hurt the homeless.

December 10, 2008 - Chicago Sun-Times

Chicago Privatizes Parking

For $1.16 billion, Chicago Parking Meters LLC, has won the rights to manage Chicago's parking meters. This is one step the city has taken to ease budget shortfalls.

December 4, 2008 - The Wall Street Journal

FEMA Redraws Flood Maps

FEMA has redone official maps of flood-prone areas across the country, designating some as flood zones for the first time.

November 13, 2008 - USA Today

New Courthouse 'Breaks All the Rules'

Reporter Robert Campbell says that the new Springfield Courthouse designed by architect Moshe Safdie is 'one of the most inviting public buildings I've ever seen.'

November 10, 2008 - Boston Globe

HOT & Green Proposal For Illinois Tollway

What do you get when you designate a carpool lane on a toll road for hybrids and carpoolers? A 'green' lane, say Illinois planners. However, they still pay the toll. Now add a "HOT lane overlay" to it - solo drivers can use it for a 'premium'.

October 17, 2008 - Chicago Sun-Times

No Relief for Chicago's Drivers

Paradoxically, Chicago's roads are more gridlocked than ever despite fewer trips by car overall due to gas prices.

October 15, 2008 - Chicago Tribune

Ghost Town in Yorkville

Yorktown was a booming exurb of Chicago, until the mortgage crisis put the kibosh on a number of developments in progress. Residents of these 'ghost towns' find themselves stuck with properties they can't sell.

October 14, 2008 - Chicago Tribune

Neon Signs Fading in Chicago

Chicago preservationists are urging owners of the last of the city's neon signs to keep them intact.

October 8, 2008 - USA Today

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.