The Chicago River has made headlines recently, a spotlight it too rarely enjoys. In June, President Obama recommended disinfecting the river to make it swimmable, Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley reiterated his ongoing support for enhanced water treatment and a cleaner river, and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District voiced concerns over the cost of doing so. Meanwhile, Asian carp fears continue to ripple across the Great Lakes states. At MPC’s recent Annual Luncheon, Illinois’ U.S. Senate candidates Alexi Giannoulias (D), Mark Kirk (R), and LeAlan Jones (Green) went on the record about reversing the Chicago River. Giannoulias is in favor, Kirk is opposed, and Jones is undecided.
Where We Stand
The debate over re-reversing the Chicago River is not solely about Asian carp. It’s not only about river water quality, tourism, freight movement, or any other single issue. It’s about what we want our region to be in 100 years.
A century ago, our city leaders decided to reverse the flow of the Chicago River because they wanted to prevent disease, provide clean drinking water to a growing population, and take economic advantage of Chicago’s enviable location as a hub between the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River. Our forebears’ decision was based on big-picture, long-range planning, a lesson we should take to heart: Before deciding to set the river back to its natural course, we must weigh the many regional implications, including northeastern Illinois’ current water supply constraints, population and job growth, transportation needs, recreation goals, the ongoing threat of invasive species, and impacts on downstream water quality and ecosystems. Without a doubt, the question of re-reversing the Chicago River merits a healthy and inclusive debate. To help you plug into this debate about our future MPC has outlined five principles – including cost – that deserve careful consideration in deciding the future of the Chicago River.
Read transcripts from MPC’s June 21 Annual Luncheon.
Support MPC’s work to ensure a clean, abundant water supply. Donate today!
Project Progress Report
On July 8, the Illinois Tollway, MPC, and Wilbur Smith Associates released the draft paper, The Road Less Traveled: Exploring Congestion Pricing in Chicagoland, which reported the results of a federally funded, two-year study that explored how congestion pricing could work on the Jane Addams Tollway (I-90), Stevenson Expressway (I-55), and Kennedy Reversibles (I-90/94).
Congestion pricing gives people choices – to ride free, pay extra for a faster ride, or take transit. Revenues can be reinvested in roads and transit, to help Chicagoland drivers reclaim some of the two-and-a-half days a year we waste sitting in traffic.
Twenty-two states are either studying or have created congestion pricing systems, with proven results. Contrary to the notion of a “Lexus Lane,” Chevys and Fords are the most common vehicles using Washington’s I-167 congestion pricing lanes. In Florida, 71 percent of drivers alter their travel times to gain a 25-cent discount. About 65 percent of Minnesota’s federal congestion pricing grant went toward transit improvements that give people an alternative to driving.
Most people choose to use congestion pricing lanes only when time is of the essence: Late to a meeting, doctor’s appointment, or to pick up the kids from daycare? Today, Chicago drivers just have to hope for the best. Using the study results, tomorrow could be different.
Results from the congestion pricing study will be reviewed and discussed by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning’s Transportation Committee on July 30, 2010.
Read “Exploring congestion pricing in Chicagoland.”
Download the report The Road Less Traveled: Exploring Congestion Pricing in Chicagoland.
Help us continue to explore solutions that alleviate congestion in the region. Donate to MPC. Your gift will make a difference!
Principles of Placemaking
There are only a few days left to nominate your favorite public space as one of Chicagoland’s best! The deadline for MPC and the Chicago Architecture Foundation’s (CAF) “What Makes Your Place Great? Your Secret Corner of Chicagoland” contest is Monday, July 26. This photo and video contest, part of MPC’s Placemaking Chicago project, shines a spotlight on some of the region’s most valuable, yet underappreciated, public spaces. Contest details are available at www.placemakingchicago.com. For inspiration, check out the blog posts written by MPC staff about their favorite public spaces, including Osaka Garden in Jackson Park, the Alta Vista Terrace Historic District, and Art Institute of Chicago gardens. CAF will feature some of the winners on tours this fall.
MPC has been discussing incorporating the principles of Placemaking into public spaces with city agencies: In June, the Chicago Dept. of Zoning and Land Use Planning joined MPC for a Placemaking workshop. This spring, the Chicago Dept. of Transportation (CDOT) and MPC co-hosted a series of Complete Streets workshops for CDOT, Ill. Dept. of Transportation, and Chicago Transit Authority staff.
The Placemaking Chicago project is generating on-the-ground results: The hot-off-the-presses Placemaking Polish Triangle report summarizes the input of more than 700 residents, as well as months of analysis by MPC and project partners to improve the Polish Triangle in Wicker Park-Bucktown. Some of the recommendations have already been implemented, including two zoning reforms passed at the last Chicago City Council meeting to spark retail development near the Triangle.
Headlines
West suburban employers, municipal staff gather to talk workforce housing
Minneapolis workforce housing forum highlights innovative housing solutions
Gov. Quinn signs HB 43, making Illinois streets safer for pedestrians
Apply now for Illinois Rain Garden Grant
Some are calling new “PETRA bill” the most aggressive housing proposal since the initial Housing Act of 1937
Innovation a mindset, not a buzz word
Workforce housing is an education issue
If you fail to plan, you plan to fail
What's your favorite CTA, Metra or South Shore stop?
New contest to select artists for 12 public murals & $5,500 stipend
See Spot! See Spot take public transit!
What's a state's role in promoting Sustainable Communities?
Upcoming events
| Aug 3 | MPC and Openlands Roundtable Down the Drain, Up in Smoke: Exploring the Water-Energy Nexus in the Chicago Region 12:00 PM–2:00 PM |
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In the News
Subscribe to MPC's feeds for fresh content daily
MPC in the News
Congestion pricing idea deserves a closer look
Daily Herald, June 19, 2010
Fast Lane, Chicago Tribune, July 13, 2010
Lake County forest preserve uses rainwater to power toilets
Daily Herald, July 12, 2010
A Chicago solution: Think big
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, July 6, 2010
Imagining a new Near East Side
Aurora Beacon News, July 3, 2010
Introducing the Sustainability Studies blog
Daily Kos, July 2, 2010
Telling the story of Chicago, one train stop at a time
Streetsblog, July 1, 2010
Get a GRIP for Northwest Indiana
The Times of Northwest Indiana, June 27, 2010
News of Interest
Winners and losers in the latest round of federal transit grants
Congress for the New Urbanism, July 16, 2010
Company to get grant for selling Asian carp
Illinois Issues, July 13, 2010
2010 Rain Garden Grant Opportunity
Chicago’s Rain Harvesting Blog, July 1 2010
Frustration With Stop-Gap Transpo Funding Shows at DOT Town Hall
Streetsblog Capitol Hill, July 14, 2010
Nominate Chicagoland’s Best "Undiscovered" Public Space
Enter the "What Makes Your Place Great?: Your Secret Corner of Chicagoland" contest!
Audio archive
Unable to attend an event? Listen to select MPC programs at our media partner Chicago Amplified, a web-based audio archive.
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