Illinois

Should Gas Taxes Be Raised To Fund Public Transit?

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.

April 4, 2007 - The New York Times

Chicago Gets 3D Glimpse Of Proposed Spire

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

March 29, 2007 - The Chicago Tribune

A 'Year of Decision' For Chicago's El System

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

March 27, 2007 - The New York Times

First 'Eco-Friendly' Mall Opens In Chicago

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

March 26, 2007 - Business Week

Plan Calls For Cemetery To Serve As Park

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

March 22, 2007 - Springfield News-Leader

Is Chicago The New 'Green' American City?

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.

March 21, 2007 - The Chicago Tribune

Cabrini Green's Dying Breath

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

March 20, 2007 - The New York Times

States And Feds Push Indiana-Illinois Tollway

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.

March 9, 2007 - Northwest Indiana Times

Chicago Transit Authority Board Members Don't Use Mass Transit

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

March 6, 2007 - The Chicago Tribune

New SRO Building Gets Starchitect Treatment

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.

March 2, 2007 - The Chicago Tribune

Transitway Plan Revived And Revised In Chicago

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.

February 27, 2007 - The Chicago Tribune

Permeable Pavement Holds Promise, And Some Doubts

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.

February 1, 2007 - The Chicago Tribune

Housing Boom Revitalizing Small Town America

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.

January 24, 2007 - The New York Times

Rural Water Authority Creation Spurs Controversy

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.

January 1, 2007 - The Chicago Tribune

Taking Homes For Parking? Think Again!

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.

December 15, 2006 - The Chicago Tribune

Plans For Eco-Mart Get Green Light

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

November 22, 2006 - Crain's Chicago Business

Diversification and Reinvention Keeps Chicago Going Strong

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.

November 10, 2006 - The Wall Street Journal

Two Chicago Projects Go Green For The Homeless

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

November 8, 2006 - The New York Times

Condos Encroaching On Chicago Neighborhoods

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

November 8, 2006 - The New York Times

There Goes The Town

As its first residential subdivision is approved, developers are banking that the tiny town of Hebron, Illinois, will be the location for the next wave of Chicago's suburban growth.

November 6, 2006 - The Chicago Tribune

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.

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.