We were out last night and took some photos at the jam and vigil ride for Riley O'Neil (hosted by @bikegridnow.org), a CDOT employee who spent his life working to make biking safer in Chicago, and was killed in a crash in Bridgeport on Friday June, 5th. Rest in Peace, Riley.

CDOT lost the best of our team yesterday. We're heartbroken. In memory of Riley O'Neil, please refer to these bike racks as "Riley Racks". He led Chicago's bike parking program for several years. Our hearts are broken, but we want to make sure his legacy lives on 💙🚲 Please spread the word

Here with @strongtownschicago.bsky.social at Chicago City Hall to hear about single-stair reform!

At Friday’s CMAP meeting on DLSD, staff said the Illinois and Chicago transportation departments are going back to the drawing board. Could freeway removals like that of Seoul's Cheonggye Expressway inspire a more people-friendly road layout on our shoreline? chi.streetsblog.org/2026/05/27/c...

watch/listen to the full interview between @aldermanmattmartin.bsky.social and @strongtownschicago.bsky.social about #SingleStair

Ald. Martin on single stair: I want people to feel a sense of urgency around this, to say with each new development that gets approved that could use [single stair] but doesn't...that we're losing the opportunity to house more families and people across Chicago

I forgot! There’s this interview with the single stair ordinance sponsor, @aldermanmattmartin.bsky.social with @strongtownschicago.bsky.social

Single stair people! We have a subject matter hearing at the relevant Chicago City Council committee on Thursday, June 4, at 10:30 am We’re looking for people to attend (to observe) and to give a public comment on the mic RSVP so we can send you talking points

The people demand Accessory Commercial Units!

Dr. Chloe Groome of @strongtownschicago.bsky.social speaks as a proponent. "These reforms empower local, working-class property owners to respond directly to their communities’ needs, rather than relying solely on large developers to deliver new housing."

On Fox 32's Four Star Podcast, host Grant Horne and John discussed Livable Streets issues. At 33:15 we talk about "stroads," a term coined by Strong Towns' Charles Marohn for highway-like streets in urban areas, and how to fix them. www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JhM... @strongtownschicago.bsky.social

Speak up against highway expansion on DSLD and for a call, appropriate boulevard at tomorrow's CMAP meeting!

There were 32,660 hit-and-runs in Chicago last year. Nearly a third of all crashes. Behind every one of those numbers, someone's life was changed. A Strong Towns Chicago volunteer put all of it on a dashboard. 🧵

Chicago requires two stairways in apartment buildings above two stories, even small ones on standard 25-foot lots. That rule eats up a lot of space. We built a tool that shows exactly how much 🧵

Join us for a happy hour and panel on land value taxes on 4/30. Panel will feature former Milwaukee Mayor John Norquist, Chief Economist at Redfin Daryl Fairweather, Executive Director of Center for Land Economics Greg Miller, and others. Link in comments!

Did you know most Chicago alders send regular updates directly to residents, and most people have no idea? Enter: the ward newsletter 🧵

ADUs are now legal in 60% of Chicago, up from just 12% during the pilot phase. That means coach houses, garden units, and basement conversions can now be built across most of the city. This is one of the biggest housing policy shifts in years. 📸 BLDG PROJ

🔧 What's Banned on Your Block? 41% of Chicago's land is zoned for single-family homes or two-flats only. That limits housing options and makes it harder for regular people to start businesses. Enter your address and see what's restricted on your block. www.strongtownschicago.org/whats-banned...

Do you really know the city of Chicago's financial position? Where the car crashes in your neighborhood keep happening? Which alders are blocking housing reform? Our volunteers built 11 free tools to dig into questions like these. Starting tomorrow, we're spotlighting one at a time. 🔧

🚇 New episode! We sat down with Acting CTA President Nora Leerhsen to talk about the future of transit in Chicago. Where the CTA is headed, what riders can expect, and why public transit matters for building a stronger city. Listen wherever you get your podcasts! www.strongtownschicago.org/podcast

Chicago made the Strongest Town Final Four but we’re up against a Wisconsin trio! Our 2025 highlights: 🏠 ADU legalization + ending parking mandates near transit 🎭 Improv that helped save CTA funding 🧰 Data tools for civic engagement 🚶 Neighborhood walking tours Vote by Fri at strongesttown.com

Strong towns Chicago shirts now available for $25-$30! Buying a shirt will also qualify folks for ST member perks like private slack channels and members only events! Link in comments

Thank you Pilsen Public Art Tours for the awesome tour of Pilsen! We loved learning about the history of the murals

Strong Towns Chicago members are at city hall today to support an ordinance that would eliminate parking mandates in certain transit-served areas! Less parking = more homes, more walkability, and stronger cities!

Join us for a walking tour of McKinley Park 5/17! Link at the linktree in bio. Tour will highlight the beauty of the area, as well as some areas that could be better served 🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️

Video from last night! It’s like entering a whole different world when you round the corner

Lincoln Square was so lively last night! The street is closed to vehicle traffic for about a week, and every night so far people have come out to enjoy a car-free space! If you want to see this block be car-free more frequently (or permanently 👀), be sure to support the businesses there this week!

watch the full and nicely-edited video of the "Bringing Back 2-to-4 Flats" panel 🎥 www.stevencanplan.com/2025/03/pane...

URGENT HOUSING ALERT: IL Housing Chair, Rep. Lilian Jimenez, failed to advance four critical pieces of legislation which will begin addressing our severe housing shortage. Please give her office a call ASAP. This legislation needs to be advanced this week. actionnetwork.org/letters/we-n...

Hello Bluesky! Join us for the second installment of our Urbanist Movie Night series on Tuesday February 25th. We'll be showing a currated set of videos exploring the Loneliness Epidemic and the ways in which we can effect change from the bottom up. www.eventbrite.com/e/strong-tow...