A global database of bus rapid transit (BRT) systems was recently released by EMBARQ (the World Resource Institute’s Center for Sustainable Transport) and the Across Latitudes and Cultures-Bus Rapid Transit Centre of Excellence (ALC-BRT CoE), in collaboration with the International Energy Agency (IEA). The tool provides data on BRT systems in 134 cities and contains 95 indicators... Read More

The number of foreclosed properties has been rising in the region since the recession began, and more homes are getting stuck in the foreclosure process . In many communities, this is increasing the backlog of vacant, foreclosed homes that do not have a clear party responsible for maintenance and are in danger of deteriorating. A core recommendation of GO TO 2040 is to invest in our... Read More

Several transportation bills are currently before the Illinois General Assembly .  These bills cover a variety of topics, financing issues chief among them, and directly affect the northeastern Illinois region’s ability to implement the recommendations presented in GO TO 2040.  This Policy Update reviews selected bills. HB 3875 would extend the Regional Transportation... Read More

On Thursday, March 29, 2012, the City of Chicago announced a $7.2 billion infrastructure initiative to improve transportation facilities, sewers, schools, and parks.  It would provide $1.4 billion for O’Hare International Airport’s expansion program; $1 billion for the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) to renovate 100 train stations and eliminate slow zones; $1.4 billion for replacing... Read More

The State of Illinois disburses 16 percent of sales tax revenues from general merchandise back to the municipal government where the sale took place.  In 2010, northeastern Illinois municipalities received nearly $1 billion in these disbursements, not including additional revenues from “local option” sales taxes like the incremental rates imposed by Cook County, the City of Chicago, and... Read More