The COVID-19 pandemic has created enormous challenges for northeastern Illinois’ transportation system and intensified many longstanding disparities. But we can use this moment to reimagine how our transportation network can better serve all residents.  

As northeastern Illinois prepares for a post-pandemic recovery, the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) is working with our regional partners to develop a visionary mobility strategy that can support an equitable recovery, sustain the transit network, and ease a rebound in congestion. Final recommendations are expected in fall 2022.

Under the guidance of a steering committee, CMAP is working with consultants to develop a regional mobility action plan and implement strategies from ON TO 2050, the region’s long-range plan, to address new challenges and critical issues that have worsened during the pandemic.

During this project, CMAP will:

• Identify and study innovative mobility policies from around the world.

• Assess COVID-related changes to jobs, housing, and transportation patterns.

• Model different transportation scenarios that could happen post-pandemic and the effect these changes could have on northeastern Illinois.

• Identify strategies that can address transportation challenges and embrace opportunities for improved regional mobility.

Car travel in northeastern Illinois returned to pre-pandemic levels by summer 2021, reinforcing why congestion remains a significant problem for the region. We looked at how Singapore used congestion pricing to address traffic and travel demand. Read more.

Daniel Comeaux, CMAP project manager (dcomeaux@cmap.illinois.gov, 312-386-8669)