A City That Works

Over at @acitythatworks: Asian and European transit agencies are run by subject matter experts. American ones are run by local elected officials and community advocates. If we want the new Illinois transit reforms to succeed, we're going to look outside the US. (1/2)

Over at @acitythatworks: Chicago's planning department and the CEO of the Chicago Architecture Center are trying to block an effort to build more high rises in the city's hottest neighborhood. It's a troubling sign for the future of the city. (1/4)

Over at @acitythatworks: CTA's Red-Purple Modernization project was a great success. But now, as TIF dollars for the project keep piling up, the City Council should move quickly to sunset the special tax collection district. (1/3)

Over at @acitythatworks: in the interest of not just being a naysayer, some suggestions on what we *should* be doing in this year's budget.

My kingdom for best practice bus stop spacing in Chicago

Join me next Wednesday for a conversation with @ACityThatWorks! Excited to talk about all the work we are doing in Evanston to lower costs, protect our environment, and keep our residents safe. Hope you can join us! eventbrite.com/e/a-city-that-…

Today at @acitythatworks: why the mayor's proposal to bring back the corporate head tax is a bad idea for the city of Chicago.

Over at @acitythatworks: Police officers are far more effective when deployed to the hotspots where violence is most likely to occur. But Chicago's current deployment practices are heavily skewed towards the least-violent parts of the city. (1/4)

Over at @acitythatworks, I took a deeper look at the Trump administration's assault on Chicago, and the actions we should take to respond. (1/3)

Excited to have @acitythatworks published in @CrainsChicago as part of a recurring partnership! And kind of surprised that they didn't change lead image on this one... chicagobusiness.com/opinion/city-w…

More sound thinking on the fast-approaching regional public transit moment in the mid-October Springfield veto session from the good folks at @acitythatworks. Reform must precede $$$. @chicagobars open.substack.com/pub/citythatwo…

Over at @acitythatworks, @ConDurkin has an explanation of the best case CPS has for more money from Springfield: consolidating the CPS pension system with the rest of the state. Simply giving CPS equal treatment here could mean $600M more a year for our schools. (1/2)

Today at @acitythatworks, an overview of why CPS should be asking Springfield for a CTPF / TRS merger, not more EBF money.

Over at @acitythatworks: Harjas Sandhu has a great piece breaking down Chicago's lead pipe problem. And I think it may have already helped trigger a City Council hearing next week? (1/3)

Over at @acitythatworks: Cell phones are not helpful for learning and socialization in schools. It was good to see JB Pritzker try to push through tighter rules during the last legislative session - and a shame that the bill couldn't get over the finish line (1/3)

Ahead of tonite’s fateful FY2026 budget vote, characteristically superb and timely overview of the @ChiPubSchools fiscal situation — precarious at best — from @ConDurkin of @acitythatworks. open.substack.com/pub/citythatwo…

Over at @acitythatworks, @ConDurkin has a great look at long term challenges sitting behind CPS's immediate budget woes.

Today at @acitythatworks, Part 2 of covering CPS's financial woes: the district's recurring budget deficit, which creates a fresh new budgetary challenge for us every year.

Over at @acitythatworks, a few thoughts on Chicago's first midyear budget review from OBM. In a nice change, there's some good news on our budget performance YTD!

Discussing a potential @acitythatworks article with a guest contributor, and realized this editorial stance is (almost) universal across departments…