Thanks to WBEZ traffic reporter Sarah Jindra for creating cheat-sheet guides on upcoming road construction for this summer. Intern Blythe Haaga added the context for the repair items. Go to the WBEZ Web site for the details and links. Edens Spur When: June 1, 2010 – June 2011 I-355: The Veterans Memorial Tollway When:...
Read on...

This just in from  Active Transportation Alliance:  jumpstart your day on April 2, which is “Walk to Work Day”. Active Trans will coordinate meet-up groups of walking commuters at several locations near downtown Chicago. Groups will walk to Daley Plaza for a celebration in Daley Plaza at 8:30 a.m. before heading to work. When:...
Read on...

People convicted of drug crimes in Illinois could face an automatic six-month suspension of their drivers’ licenses, a proposal that is drawing sharp criticism from drug policy analysts. House Bill 5720 would require drug offenders to stay out of the driver’s seat for a period of six months for the first offense and one...
Read on...

While schools and nonprofits across Illinois brace themselves for the potentially devastating cuts proposed in Gov. Pat Quinn’s 2011 budget, officials in many of the state’s public transit agencies are seeing their budgets climb. But some say the increase provides little relief to their more immediate problem – a failure by the cash-strapped state...
Read on...

It’s an iconic American image – kids hopping on their two-wheelers and skidding through the streets. But those visions of skinned knees and summer vacations might be in for some tweaking if lawmakers pass a controversial law that would require kids to wear helmets while biking. Illinois lawmakers are currently pondering two child helmet...
Read on...

ChicagoTalks reporter Devin Katayama reports on a new bill that would require Illinois motorcyclists to wear a helmet. Listen to the story here.
Read on...

With millions of federal stimulus dollars flooding Illinois’ transportation system, a sturdier infrastructure may be within reach – but along with it will come years of headaches and service interruptions as construction crews get to work. Starting this spring and for the better part of the next decade, Metra riders will find themselves in...
Read on...

When Hal Emalfarb bought a hybrid Toyota Prius that he converted to an electric plug-in vehicle four months ago, he was thrilled to own a car with emission-free driving and greater energy efficiency. “This is something anybody can do,” said Emalfarb, whose 2008 Prius cost less than $25,000 including the conversion kit, and should...
Read on...

On Jan. 18, Martin Luther King‘s birthday, a national holiday, several local organizations and individuals plan to a march to protest budget cuts that will mean layoffs for CTA workers and reduced service for local residents. According to NoCTAcuts.org, the CTA plans to layoff 1,000 bus drivers and maintenance workers. The CTA service cuts...
Read on...

Just in time for the holidays comes “City-Go-Round,” a site that lets you plug in an address or zipcode and get back links, descriptions and even ratings of various apps that track or locate public transportation in your area. The apps are grouped into categories, so finding public transit, biking, walking or driving apps...
Read on...