John Greenfield
In addition to editing Streetsblog Chicago, John writes the transportation column for the Chicago Reader weekly paper. A Chicagoan since 1989, he enjoys exploring the city on foot, bike, bus, and 'L' train.
Recent Posts
‘Hurricane’ Kristen McQueary Attacks on Gas Tax Hike
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The Tribune columnist, who famously wished a New Orleans-style storm would assault Chicago, argued that raising the state gas tax would be unfair to drivers. Here's why she's wrong again.
What a Long Strange Trip It Was: Looking Back at 2018 Transportation Stories
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From Wilson station opening highs to disappearing Divvy lows, 2018 was a year to remember for Chicago transportation.
Chicago Transportation Chief’s Pitch for Elon Musk’s O’Hare Express, Annotated
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Chicago Department of Transportation commissioner Rebekah Scheinfeld has overseen the completion of several good projects during her four years on the job, including the Loop Link bus rapid transit corridor, the Bloomingdale Trail, the Chicago Riverwalk, and 100 miles of new and upgraded bike lanes. (However, it’s worth noting all of these initiatives were launched […]
A Guide to Chicago’s Woman- and POC-owned Bike Shops
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Interested in supporting a diverse bike shop community? Here's a list and map of Chicago's bike stores owned or co-owned by women and/or people of color.
Chicago City Officials Swallow Elon Musk’s Kool-Aid
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After taking a bumpy car ride in a narrow tunnel, Chicago's deputy mayor said he's convinced Musk's O'Hare express proposal would be "a fantastic project" for our city.
Why Was Active Trans Snubbed From J.B. Pritzker’s Infrastructure Committee?
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The group’s stances against road expansion and for more bike-walk funding may have been a factor.
With No Risk of Voter Backlash, Emanuel Makes a Sensible Call for a State Gas Tax Hike
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Today Emanuel spoke in favor of a for a 20 to 30 percent increase in the Illinois gas tax, which has been stuck at 19 cents since 1991, to fund transit, roads, and bridges.
CDOT Does Paint-and-Post Safety Fixes at Belmont/Ashland/Lincoln
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The new bump-outs shorten crossing distances, help address the intersection's skewed layout, and discourage fast turns by drivers.
After a 2016 Slump, 2017 Was Divvy’s Most Profitable Year Ever
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While the system still lost money on operations, it still turned a $3.37 million profit for the city overall thanks to station ad revenue and Blue Cross Blue Shield sponsorship money.
White Shoes Are Sobering Reminder of Lives Lost to Traffic
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The Windy City marks World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims with a stirring display of footwear.
132 Pairs of White Shoes Were a Sobering Reminder of Lives Lost to Traffic Violence
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CDOT placed the footwear in Federal Plaza this weekend to honor the 132 people who were killed in Chicago crashes last year.
Study: Transit is Key to Attracting Businesses
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The report also underscores the importance of getting the business community to support more funding for public transportation.