Illinois

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago Was Already Wiping Out Trees. Then the Derecho Hit.

An Urban Forestry Board is needed in Chicago to unsure the health and safety benefits of a flourishing urban forest.

August 24, 2020 - Chicago Tribune

Chicago, Illinois

Lincoln Yards, Chicago's Controversial $6 Billion Mega-Project, Set to Break Ground

Groundbreaking for the first component of Chicago's massive Lincoln Yards redevelopment project has been scheduled for early 2021.

August 9, 2020 - Chicago Tribune

Image of Chicago Lake Shore Drive Freeway

Bus Lanes, Desired by Advocates for Chicago's Lake Shore Drive Project, Back on the Table

After releasing a list of project alternatives that didn't include new bus lanes in the existing roadway, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has changed its mind.

August 5, 2020 - Streetsblog Chicago

Chicago River Industrial Area

Chicago's New Approach to Air Quality Includes Zoning Changes

Improved air quality can help achieve equitable economic growth, according to Chicago's newly announced Air Quality Agenda.

July 31, 2020 - Smart Cities Dive

Black Lives Matter

Systemic Racism Starts and Ends with Housing

Along with standing up against police violence and systemic racism, we must also fight to end housing systems that devalue Black people.

July 27, 2020 - Shelterforce Magazine

Coronavirus and COVID-19

Chicago Has a Plan for Recovery

Chicago's COVID-19 Recovery Task Force, launched and chaired by Mayor Lori Lightfoot, has produced a detailed plan for leading the city out of the pandemic.

July 22, 2020 - Governing

Coronavirus

Chicago's Planning Director on Leadership During Crises

Maurice Cox, planning commissioner for the Chicago Department of Planning and Development, is the subject of this in-depth coverage by the Chicago Tribune.

June 29, 2020 - Chicago Tribune

Street plan.

North Lake Shore Drive Redo Falls Short of Bus Priority Expectations

Strong criticisms of the project alternatives under consideration by the Illinois Department of Transportation for the closely watched North Lake Shore Drive project.

June 22, 2020 - Streetsblog Chicago

Chicago Transit Authority

Website Predicts Crowds to Inform Social Distancing on Buses and Trains

Know before you go.

June 18, 2020 - Chicago Tribune

Chicago Train Station

Metra North Central Service Line Riders Push for More Service

A new report imagines more robust service on one of Metra's regional commuter lines in Chicago.

June 12, 2020 - Streetsblog Chicago

Jacksonville, Florida

Racial Disparity in Home Lending Is Today's Redlining

According to a new report detailing discriminatory lending in Chicago, people in majority-white neighborhoods continue to receive more loans, and in greater amounts, than people in majority-Black and majority-Latino areas.

June 11, 2020 - WBEZ 91.5

2018 Razzle Dazzle Parade

The Midwest Paces the Nation in Population Loss

Two cities in Illinois are examined as case studies of population decline in the post-industrial economy.

June 10, 2020 - Chicago Tribune

George Floyd Protests

Commandeered Buses, System Shutdowns—Transit on the Frontlines of Protests

The optics of public transit suffered over the weekend, as a few transit agencies have been commandeered by police and even shut down entirely with little or no notice, stranding protesters and essential workers alike.

June 1, 2020 - New York Daily News

Accessory Dwelling Unit

The Argument Against Accessory Dwelling Units

Facing the potential for accessory dwelling units to win swift legalization in Chicago inspires one columnist to push back.

May 28, 2020 - Chicago Tribune

Chicago Public Housing

Housing Relief Targets Multi-Family Property Owners in Chicago

The Emergency Relief for Affordable Multifamily Properties Program is designed to keep multi-family property owners from entering default.

May 27, 2020 - Next City

Accessory Dwelling Unit

ADU Ordinance Ready for City Council Scrutiny in Chicago

Chicago residents will have the option of building coach houses or convection units if a new law passes as written through the Chicago City Council.

May 21, 2020 - Chicago Cityscape

Chicago, Illinois

Kanye West Makes More Permitting Trouble in Chicago

Kanye West is renovating his childhood home on the South Side of Chicago, but hasn't always had the permits to do the work until after the fact.

May 19, 2020 - Chicago Tribune

Illinois

Another City Opens Street Space for Restaurants—This Time in Suburban Chicago

Tampa, Brookhaven, Vilnius, Hinsdale. These cities will be the answer to a COVID-themed trivia night some time soon.

May 8, 2020 - Chicago Tribune

great lakes

Report Faults the EPA for Lack of Environmental Enforcement in Great Lakes States

A report by the Environmental Law and Policy Center (ELPC) shows a decrease in environmental enforcement in six Midwest states. The ELPC calls for increased funding. The EPA states the claims errors in data reporting are responsible for the drop.

April 28, 2020 - Urban Milwaukee

Chicken Run

Proposed Ordinance Would Limit Livestock Ownership in Chicago

In an effort to elevate a standard of care for livestock, an ordinance sponsored by Ald. Anthony Napolitano seeks to regulate fowl and livestock animal ownership within city limits.

April 22, 2020 - Chicago Tribune

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Websites

The best of the Internet—since 2002.

Top Apps

Planning apps for a brave new world.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

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.