Alex

The 14R Mission Rapid bus in SF

Just learned about a revolutionary new technology to speed up buses. They’re calling it all-door boarding folks.

What about slots on the Metra

Empty waymo blocks bus lane

Empty Waymo blocks bus lane
(Photograph, 2026)

One of the most inspiring parts of being a Chicagoan is the angry mob that instantly materializes any time Redefine the Drive is being discussed by a state or local entity. I love it.

Cries in NFPA class IV outdoor storage guidlines

Oakland City Hall with a “Let’s Go Alysa Liu! Oakland’s Hometown Hero!” Banner draped above the entrance.

The Bookmark Bookstore window featuring pictures and signs in support of Alysa Liu and the slogan #oakland proud

Downtown Oakland is peppered with sweet little Alysa Liu banners and signs

30-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage Average in the United States: 5.98% on 2/26/2026. First time below 6% since September 2022.

The average new 30-year fixed rate mortgage is back below 6% for the first time since September 2022.
(5.98%)

Yes

Cocain decor

Bluesky Draft: Brandon Johnson? More like Brandon gone-son!

365 days until the 2027 Chicago Mayoral Election

Every week I see a new housing proposal article from Block Club getting blasted on here for only quoting its opponents in their coverage, even when public comments were mixed or mostly supportive.

Is the criticism a just Bluesky echo chamber thing? Does this framing fly with everyone else?

Or you could pave over the whole thing and get a few more parking spots in there!
Impossible to say which is better.

I swear the Chicago Parks District has an even bigger parking lot fetish than CDOT

Not surprised at all that CPD’s innovative new proposal for Soldier Field is spending $500m to put more cars in the parks

Exclusive: Chicago Park District pitches $630 million plan for a post-Bears Soldier Field As the Bears explore relocating, the Chicago Park District is proposing a $630 million plan to transform Soldier Field into a concert-focused venue that could rely on state funding and expanded events...

www.fox32chicago.com/news/exclusi...

Okay, 2026 should be the year Illinois lawmakers do something about the housing shortage Governor JB Pritzker announced his plan to address the state’s housing shortage in 2026. This is the third year in a row I’ve written about proposed legislation to unlock new housing in…

here's my summary of the six land use, housing, and zoning reforms that Governor Pritzker and six legislators introduced on Wednesday.

www.stevencanplan.com/2026/02/okay...

Detecting orality in housing

Now that’s what I call Responsible Development!

Probably bc every Archer Bike Lane Backlash ragebait article gets shared 1000x by angry cyclists

Scrambling to get my Supreme Court Tariff Strike Down Trump Response Bingo Card ready in time please send suggestions

River North and South Loop both added a ton of density but have never really made the streetscape upgrades to match.
Would love to see West Loop take that next step.

🫡

The McCaskeys should sell the bears to Clay Bennett

If we ever get to a point where those are the two options being considered I will be declaring complete and total victory, regardless of which is chosen.

A tree-lined multi-lane road - View from Randolph Street near Ogden Ave in Chicago, facing East towards downtown

A tree-lined pedestrian boulevard - La Rambla in Barcelona

With Walter (Redmond) Burnett talking about the demand for West Loop greenspace today, I am once again urging us to turn Randolph St. (left) into our version of Barcelona's La Rambla pedestrian boulevard (right).

Chicago Plan Commission recommended to support this today!

Amendment of Municipal Code establishing maximum speed limit of 25mph on steets, 15mph in alleys, and absolute statutory nonurban limit of 55mph. 2.19.2026 26 NO 20 YES

Food for thought... Compare to the 25mph speed limit vote breakdown from exactly one year ago. I count 9 Yes->No or No->Yes Votes* here.

*New Alders in 35 and 27 since this vote was taken.

Amendment of Municipal Code establishing maximum speed limit of 25mph on steets, 15mph in alleys, and absolute statutory nonurban limit of 55mph. 2.19.2026 26 NO 20 YES

Food for thought... Compare to the 25mph speed limit vote breakdown from exactly one year ago. I count 9 Yes->No or No->Yes Votes* here.

*New Alders in 35 and 27 since this vote was taken.

In Illinois the N in NIMBY stands for Nuclear now.

Honestly one of the most fascinating city council splits I've seen in a while. Almost the entire North lakefront, not a single South Side vote, and an ideologically mixed bag of SW side support.