Or harassing behavior and speech directed towards others is
not permitted disruptive behav.
not permitted disruptive behavior, including disruptive or
disrespectful conned.
disrespectful conduct during others presentation.
Folks just so you know we are.
Folks just so you know, we are we're just waiting on 1 more
of our colle.
of our colleagues and then we'll be starting shortly. Thank
you so much for your patience.
Good morning. All right.
my attention attention
gavl gavl
the meeting of
The meeting of the committee on pedestrian and traffic
safety is now called.
safety is now called to order for februari 6 2024
We will now have a roll call to establish.
We will now have a roll call to establish Quorum will also
please make sure their microphones.
please make sure their microphones are unmuted.
chairman LP
chairman laspada present Vice chair Cruise
Alderman Hopkins
maybe joining, uh president
Maybe joining uh president there he is. We'll have you in a
moment, sir.
alderman, jansy
Alderman Chico
Alderman Moore is gonna be with us in a moment.
vice mayor Bernett
ottoman is hey.
ottoman is hey, there we go, sir.
ottoman
Ottoman knutzen is going to be with us on online alderman.
Lawson.
Alderman Martin
Alderman MW
Total is we have?
total is we have 8 President we have
okay, we have 8 present we
Okay, we have 8 present. We have Quorum. Uh
order
Alderman Quinn, my apologies good, sir.
my
Oh my gosh are kids.
alderman
Alderman Robinson more
knutzen Hopkins
and Curtis
have requested to participate in the meeting remotely.
pursuant to rule 59.
Can I get a motion to allow our?
Can I get a motion to allow our Alders to participate
remotely Alder?
remotely alderwoman Mana hoppenworth so moves all in favor?
say I all
all opposed say nay in the opinion of the chair that I
it.
Thank you.
And Alderman Moore as well. Good to have you sir.
um
At this time we will begin.
at this time, we will begin public comment period it is a
robust.
robust 1 out of respect for everyone's time and
robust 1 out of respect for everyone's time. And so that
everyone has an opportunity each speaker is limited to 2
minutes.
we
We will start with.
Mr. Blakemore, let's talk about that so it's become.
folks
f
now
we have an opportunity to be respect.
we have an opportunity to be respectful of everyone's time
or we have an opportunity now to bait the reason that the
reason that we're going with 2 minutes is to make sure that
everyone has an opportunity.
so
So we're going to get started.
uh, Natasha
uh Natasha Gray
It's all right.
Miss Gray
Hello. Yes. Okay. My name is Natasha Gray This is actually
my third.
my third visit here and I just want to say I'm very
disappointed.
disappointed with the way our city handles business.
highly unprofessional and inefficient, but neither case I
have the issue, uh regarding
the topic of the day but in relation to our uh visitors or
our new people, okay, the immigrants illegal, whatever you
want to call them because they're not migrants you cannot.
migrate for 1 country to the next so the immigrants that
are here, uh,
are here, uh unlicensed.
uninsured
driving on the streets causing accidents with no
repercussions.
Okay.
uh my answer my
Uh, my answer my my question to you. All is what is up
being done about that?
being done about that. We know we have our own issues here
in Chicago, which is
Chicago, which is more of a reason for you all not to have
taken on these ISS.
taken on these issues that we're uh experiencing right now.
okay.
Um, what about the over?
Um, what about the overcrowding of the neighborhoods?
It's
especially Southshore
That's the only reason why I've got.
that's the only reason why I've gotten involved because
I've had no other choice.
I've had no other choice but to deal with the overcrowding
of our neighborhoods and the popping up of random unknown.
people walking down my block. Okay peeking in build.
trying to come in and littering on property.
trying to come in and littering on property of blocks that
are not normally EXP.
are not normally experienced in that we know Chicago is not
a clean and wonderful and beautiful.
a clean and wonderful and beautiful place, but some of our
neighborhoods are well put together some of our blocks are
uh, occupied by working citizens and law-abiding citizens.
Okay. So what I would like to know is how are you all
servicing?
your constituents I know that you plan for them to be your
constituents. We all know the what's going on here and that
might be
that might be Beyond you it might not be you specifically.
but the people that you take orders from we already
what their plan is, but your current constituents we want
an answer as to what are you doing in our city for us?
Thank you very much, Miss Greg.
Our next speaker is John shein.
That's all right. Thank you, John.
Our next speaker is Jessica Jackson.
You break in the rules.
You've been trying to get rid of US. Public speaking.
You've been trying to get rid of US public speaking. You
won't even pay attention, but you stood there to get your
father's restaurant a resolution right because
father's restaurant a resolution, right? Because you think
he deserves something.
but
But you want to infringe on what we just serve.
3 minutes, that's our time. That's what's in the rule book.
And you all City.
And you all city council with the help of this bogus mayor?
Have got it in your minds that you don't have.
have got it in your minds that you don't have to respect
the rules the
the rules. The laws nothing all you got to do.
the rules. The laws nothing. All you got to do is serve us
a bunch of immigrants.
Who feel like they can disrespect us at any time, but yet.
when anyone of them get up to speak I guarantee you.
when anyone of them get up to speak I guarantee you they're
going to use some law that we had.
going to use some law that we had they going to use some
slogan of ours.
And they're going to try to come into our neighborhood.
And they're going to try to come into our neighborhoods.
But yet they want to disrespect us.
But yet they want to disrespect us and why do they think
they can because City Hall?
they can because City Hall is doing it.
City Hall is doing with things.
City Hall is doing with things like what you doing today?
You think y'all the only ones that can run to the Inspector
General I'mma run?
General? I'mma run to the Inspector General on you because
what you're not going to do is disrespect my rights. That
pink car says 3 minutes that white book says 3 minutes and
you don't get to change it at a blink of an eye.
you don't get to change it at a blink of an eye just
because you want to Cloud it up with a bunch of people.
going to push some type of agenda. That's anti-American
anti, Chicago.
anti Chicago and anti-Semitism is definitely aunt.
All right.
You're the 1 who didn't even want us.
You're the 1 who didn't even want us you wanted to marry to
make us start speaking.
make us start speaking by virtual only because you couldn't
stand the fact that we saw roads to cheat in here.
You don't.
You don't control everybody you don't control black people.
people. We are here. We are Cit.
people. We are here. We are citizens. We got whites the
city of Chicago.
city of Chicago has right?
Thank you.
Okay. Thank you very much. Our next speaker is Eduardo
Ramirez?
to
so we
please go ahead sir.
My name is Edgar Ramirez.
I'm here.
I'm here because I have a lot of problems and my school.
I'm here because I have a lot of problems and my school I'm
B from 2 kids.
guy from 8 years old and
and I serious
uh 13 years old.
so
can we please pause to the clock? Thank you.
ma'am
Ma'am, we're trying. So yeah, I'm I'm
Ma'am, we're trying. So yeah. I'm I'm passing.
so
So we're here's what we're going to do. We're going to
model.
With our values what civility?
with our values what Civility and respect looks like we
pause just in case Mr. Ramirez wanted to use a translator.
We're going to proceed now.
Thank you very much.
thank
now so this is going to be here's what we're going to do.
We're going to have 2 warnings.
We're going to have 2 warnings and then if people can't be
respectful of others.
respectful of others, we will have to unfortunately ask
people to leave. So that is warning number 1, please
proceed.
as go.
Okay.
Well know that mean.
gum
said
for
Ramirez Casillas
our next speaker is
I'm translating for.
I'm translating for him. Okay?
Can we?
Can we ma'am I'm I apologize, but we only have 2 minutes.
for each person.
Okay.
excuse
Excuse hold up.
Okay.
Okay, excuse me. So.
Okay, excuse me. So time out everyone we have to be.
so moving for excuse me. There's going to be everybody.
There's going to be
there's going to be 1.
waiting
Waiting out. There's going to be 1 person speaking at a
time. So
I apologize if we were in.
I apologize if we were unclear but when we do 2 minutes for
each speaker.
each speaker that includes need for translation and
apologize if we weren't clear on that so moving forward.
apologize if we weren't clear on that. So moving forward if
if you're speaking in Spanish.
if you're speaking in Spanish, please speak for 1 minute
for yourself and then leave time.
for yourself and then leave time for translation. I
apologize if that wasn't clear before.
our next speaker
Our next speaker is Mary Carmen Surah.
Hi, good morning. Good.
Hi, good morning. Good morning. Um, so I'm here. Um, I'm a
resident.
resident of the boulevards. Um, Marshall Boulevard.
resident of the boulevards. Um, Marshall Boulevard to be
specific. Um, I've been living there for 25 years, um part
of the 25th Ward,
of the 25th Ward. Um, I'd like to stand here and talk about
how I feel.
how I feel but to be honest. I don't have the time. I
didn't know this was limited, but that's okay because I'm
not here for that. I'm here to express on the facts that
are going on around where I have my children in school. Um,
they have been plenty of access.
they have been plenty of accidents happening right around
the bend. Um a couple have made
the bend. Um, a couple have made headlines in Chicago news.
Um, and I know the boulevards are part,
Um, and I know the boulevards are part of a beautification
project and putting in signage for history and all that and
I as much as I appreciate that because I've seen it living
I've seen the progress that the boulevard has had but I
feel like you guys haven't prioritized with the schools and
having signed, you know, any of the bump the the bump outs
anything for Ada
ramps none of that is there and I myself have been victim of
1 of them accidents on the boulevard due to speed.
1 of them accidents on the boulevard due to speeding while
picking up um children. So they
picking up um children so they have also been affected by
this. There is no speeding.
this. There is no speeding around the school in particular
when a couple of um, I want to say about half a mile North
there are speeding cameras for a high school there. So I
just want to know when you guys are making these plans. Why
are the schools and where the there's the most pedestrian
usage? Why is this not prioritized with cameras?
usage? Why is this not prioritized with cameras and
speeding and also to point out that it would help.
speeding and also to point out that it would help and
benefit the city financially. Um, I just want to know why
are we not being priorit?
are we not being prioritized with that? And I don't even
know if it's a question.
know if it's a question, but I think I'd like for you guys
to consider even if I don't get the answer. I'm hoping in
the long run. I'll we'll see that you guys are
paying attention to the kids and everyone that's affected
by these accidents. So
Like to keep that in mind. Thank you.
Thank you very much, Miss Surya.
I will share. I know that we have a number of CPS parents
speaking today.
speaking today and I will speak into your concerns during
the committee meeting.
our next speaker is
Our next speaker is and my apologies if I mispronounced your
name.
additional
Amazon
good morning committee on traffic and pedestrian.
good morning committee on traffic and pedestrian safety
where parents of students from schools in the community.
Gage Park and we are here because we want to raise
awareness.
awareness about the road and pedestrian safety issue around
our school.
our schools. We are currently working with kids for Chicago
to create change along with the support of the Solorio High
School.
School Administration in my community. We have a sever
schools that are meters away including Solorio high school
with Chaz a total of 1,200 students nand.
with Chaz a total of 1,200 students Hernandez middle school
with 800 students and Soo Sandoval.
with 800 students and Soo Sandoval Elementary School with
750 additionally 5 blocks.
750 additionally 5 blocks away are 2 other schools,
Victoria Soto high school with 550.
Victoria Soto high school with 550 students and ho ho ho
School.
school with 600 students bringing us to a total of 3,900.
students all within a few blocks furthermore within this.
area are there not only schools but also work centers
as Amazon a warehouse and a Truck Parking Lot that can be
dangerous.
dangerous around so many students. This problem is very
recognizable during the arrival and departure of students
in the morning.
in the morning and when leaving, thank you.
Thank you.
our next
Okay.
All right.
Okay our next speaker.
Our next speaker is Mika agir.
Mika
you have
You have 1 don't touch me the whole.
Ready? Okay. Good morning, my name.
Ready? Okay. Good morning. My name is Lilia gavara. Let me
remind you that.
remind you that we all of us are immigrants. So let's
respect.
respect each other and we're having 2 minutes to talk. So
we appreciate you allow us to speak.
My name again is Lilia gebara.
I am a parent.
of a student
at Garcia High School
for the past 3 years I have been participating with
first Chicago trying my best to improve the traffic.
first Chicago trying my best to improve the traffic safety
at Sumo Tores and Garcia.
at Sumo Tores and Garcia all Aero charity schools. Yes, I
am.
am a resident.
how
However, during parent meetings. This issue has been
brought up to.
brought up to the principal's attention since 8 years ago
from parents.
But we are feeling very disappoint.
But we are feeling very disappointed because they have not
seen any changes.
We had several emails with AER.
We had several emails with Aero administrative staff
principals and different meetings.
principals and different meetings with parents. Who care
about traffic safety.
about traffic safety and successfully having the Chicago
Department of Transportation.
Department of Transportation translate a 10 minutes video
that provides helpful.
that provides helpful best practices to drop off and pick
up students. However, after 3 years of efforts we have been
hurt,
but not f
But not Fable changes have been made.
That's why we're here today.
That's why we're here today hoping we can get support from
you.
you and together we can collaborate to make things.
you and together. We can collaborate to make things better
for everybody. Thank you.
for everybody. Thank you, and I allow you these people to
get more time if they need.
get more time if they need my time because we are all we
want is.
want is respect.
Thank you.
thank
Thank you, Mr. Gua.
Are our next speaker is Tim Shambrook?
I don't care about him trying to give it.
I don't care about him trying to get it to speak. I'm
I don't care about him trying to get people in to speak.
I'm
the same
Hello everybody. Uh, my name is Tim Shambrook some of you
know.
know why I'm here. I just like to say that I appreciate the
fact that you have formed this committee to be able to
start talking about how we can make our city better and how
we can make our city grow.
we can make our city grow the the number of cars that we
have in our city we
have in our city. We need to find ways to improve our
transit to allow.
transit to allow people the opportunity to leave their car
at home and I really appreciate
at home. And I really appreciate that you guys are actually
taking the time now to come up with ideas as to how this
can happen as well as last month's meeting where we were
talking about seed dot with all the bike lanes and properly
building out the bike lane infrastructure. We need to start
working on our city for the future.
working on our city for the future as opposed to just
Continuing to have more and more car.
Continuing to have more and more cars coming in. Was it the
stats like a million people left our city, but we had
300,000 more cars come in. That's kind of unsustainable to
be.
be able to do that. We need to find ways to give people.
ability to lead their car at home or just not have a car.
It's a nice cost savings for families.
It's a nice cost savings for families that are you know
families that are underpaid. It's also makes our streets
safer, you know and also
safer, you know, and also to their comments about the uh
School drop off and pickup if we have adequate or if we
have better reliable regular Transit as well as bike
pedestrian infrastructure parents can start leaving their
car at home children can start riding their bikes to work
or riding.
or riding their bikes at school or taking the bus to school
like many of my friends who grew up in the city did when
they were here in the 70s.
they were here in the 70s and the 80s and the 90s like it
is doable this
is doable. This new car drop off thing is getting way out
of hand anyway,
of hand. Anyway, I left my notes in my bag, so
of hand. Anyway, I left my notes in my bag. So that's why
I'm a little disjointed here. But uh, I would like to say 1
last thing. Uh, I was just curious about what was
with
the roll out of the pilot program for bus and bike lane
infractions in the loop on the front of buses because that
has nothing I
has nothing. I haven't heard anything about that and I was
just kind of curious. I don't know if that's
question, but
Thank you.
I will make sure that we get back to you on that.
and
Tim I apologize miss Ma Madam has your bag she's bringing
it over right now.
Our next speaker is carsten Lohan.
Good morning. I'm uh here to speak about the buses in
Chicago. I'm here to speak about the planned.
Chicago. I'm here to speak about the planned infrastructure
improvements by C dot at the intersection of Chicago.
improvements by C dot at the intersection of Chicago and
Halsted in the 27th Ward.
this
This 65 million project includes replacement of the Chicago
Avenue.
Avenue Bridge Over the River restoration of the viaduct
supporting the street.
supporting the Street intersection over the railroad and
various other improvements.
various other improvements around this intersection likely
the city's impetus.
the city's impetus to restore and improve this area
coincides with the new casino and several planned
residential developments that may bring over 7,700 housing
units to this intersection near this intersection as
presented. I find the plan roadway improvements
substantially lacking.
substantially lacking with regard to pedestrians cyclists
and Transit Rider benefits.
and Transit Rider benefits and safety. My main area of
concern is the omission of dedicated bus lanes in C Dot's
current plan.
current plan in the vicinity of Chicago and Hallstead the
Chicago Avenue.
Chicago Avenue route in particular is the second most
ridden bus route after the 79th Street Route and it had a
2022 ridership of almost 4 million people and a
pre-pandemic ridership of 6.6 million people and East and
Westbound bus lanes exist from Michigan Avenue to the
Chicago River.
And then they pick up again.
And then they pick up again, uh at running all the way to
the Kennedy Expressway.
the Kennedy Expressway from Sangamon and I would like to
ask, uh the city, uh, if we could connect these 2 bus lanes
to significantly speed up the 6.
to significantly speed up the 66 bus and I would urge the
committee to ask C dot to reconsider the addition of bus.
lanes at this intersection and to create a more Equitable
City for Chicago.
City for Chicagoans who do not own an automobile surely
this great City that gave the world the skyscraper can
build a bus lane.
Appreciate it very much Mr. Lohan. I
if you stick around and find me after committee.
be uh our
Be uh, our next speaker is Mr. George, Blakemore.
well that
up here
they came for rooms.
They came for rooms when they see a lot of them.
they
activities
on the battle white book
We are.
Thank you.
the
minutes
So you going back when?
so you going back whenever that's what happened to me when
I was in here.
the thing we
The thing we want we want to hear our piece.
and so what we'll do we'll take minutes from the other
people and give us
and he go come.
and he go come with these 2 ladies tell me about that.
Alright, so we got that red.
Alright, so we got that red card you.
Okay now which 1 are you gonna use?
Okay now which 1 are you gonna use you gonna do whatever
you have to use the EMP?
you have for you to empower your people.
And I'm going to do whatever.
And I'm gonna do whatever I have.
And I'm gonna do whatever I have you got to lay down.
That's right. So
That's right, and he go right?
when
and when they
up
Go go.
Go go go down. I've been coming next Thursday 40 years. I
know how to change this place and I know how.
know how to change this place and I know how the government
work, and I know how brother.
work, and I know how brother in the entrance of black
people.
So, who do you think you talking to we?
So, who do you think you talking to? We can't lose today. We
gonna go.
gonna go 2 minutes.
if they had have been
If they had have been all black people here you would.
f****** out. Thank you, Mr. Blake Moore.
All right.
our next speaker
Our next speaker is and I apologize again.
see, so
Okay. Good morning everyone. My name is Aya.
Okay. Good morning everyone. My name is Aya guara. I am
mother of students who attend the Zumba and Garcia schools.
I am part of the community and I am working as a crossing
guard at the intersection of 47th and Killers signage is
needed to warn that.
needed to warn that you are entering a school zone
furthermore because the schools in question are
full of factories many drivers who are not parents do
identify the building of the school campus to its lack of
personalization.
personalization as such also. I think it is important to
mention the fact that generates a lot of confusion and
cause the students and parents to cross.
cause the students and parents to cross the street
recklessly. This is the lack of syn.
recklessly. This is the lack of synchronization of the
traffic lights because when the traffic lights on the
sidewalk of el
sidewalk of Elke restaurant and that is on the sidewalk the
sto campus
sto Compass shows red
due to my work and my contact with parents and students. I
know that this is not the only School area with serious
safety problem.
safety problems. Therefore it is essential that the city's
School authorities.
School authorities and parents in addition to CPS work
together to solve this problem. I propose that at the
beginning of each school year during Reg.
regulations and informative and educational brochures and
this regard to mandatory. Also, um, she just mentioned that
That's all right. Thank you very much.
Our next speaker is Austin Bush.
Austin
like to address the recent proposed design in the 27th War
to expand the intersection of Chicago Avenue.
to expand the intersection of Chicago Avenue and Halsted
Avenue in concurrence with the Chicago Avenue.
Avenue in concurrence with the Chicago Avenue River Bridge
replacement, which was unveiled for public comment.
replacement, which was unveiled for public comment, uh
about 2 weeks ago under the lead of C.
about 2 weeks ago under the lead of C dot despite the
standard set in the Chicago cycling straight.
standard set in the Chicago cycling strategy for new bike
Lanes to be low stress as either.
Lanes to be low stress as either a Greenway or as a
protected bike lane the current proposed.
protected bike lane. The current proposed design will leave
Biker's completely exposed between 2 mixed traffic Lanes in
the southbound Direction preventing.
the southbound Direction preventing safe traversal along
the Hallstead Avenue bike corridor.
the Hallstead Avenue bike Corridor as designated in the
Chicago cycling strategy plan.
This project also does not include bus lanes along Chicago.
This project also does not include bus lanes along Chicago
Avenue, despite the addition of a new general purpose Lane.
Avenue despite the addition of a new general purpose Lane
despite both corridors, uh Hull
despite both corridors, uh, Halsted and Chicago being
included in C. Dot's better streets for bus.
included in C. Dot's better streets for buses plan. The
proposed design maintains a significant Gap.
dedicated bus lanes along the busiest routes in the city.
Despite being a transfer point between these busy.
Despite being a transfer point between these busy routes.
There is no proposed pedestrian Refuge Islands when
Crossing up to 6 Lanes of traffic. This will be specially
Danger.
dangerous at night in the proximity of the new casino.
implore you to enforce a pause on current Construction.
planning for this project until a suitable design can be
made which should be compliant with the city's current
municipal code.
municipal code 10-14
Austin same point as for cost.
Austin same point as for cost and I will I'll check in with
y'all gentlemen after the meeting.
y'all gentlemen after the meeting our final speaker is
sativa.
uh, thank you, um for your time and allowing me to speak my
My name is sativa VRE. Um, I'm here as a co-chair of the
transport.
transportation team for Sierra Club, Chicago, uh, Sear
club's an environmental organization and our transport.
team focuses on making Chicago more Transit.
team focuses on making Chicago more Transit forward City.
Uh, we are proud to support Chicago's complet.
Uh, we are proud to support Chicago's complete streets
project and we'd like to emphasize um a need for
that is accessible to all of its citizens. Not just the
ones that own cars, uh, personally I take public
transportation or walk to get around the city. Um every
day. I'm shown just how poorly the city
streets are designed for pedestrians like me when I
of work and I need to cross Cottage Grove cars will fail to
yield.
yield at the crosswalk. Despite it being state law every
time I cross these multi-lane streets. I have to judge
whether or not the car coming towards me is going slow
enough that if I run I can make it across I have to do
regularly Gamble.
regularly gamble with my life to cross the street at a
crosswalk.
crosswalk just to get home. Luckily. I am young enough and
enabled bodied but for many others the reality is that
Chicago is not a very safe or accessible city bus stop.
often don't have benches elevators are often broken.
often don't have benches elevators are often broken the
cta's often delayed or not running due to service.
cta's often delayed or not running due to service cuts and
bikers ride an unprotected Lanes all
bikers ride an unprotected lanes All Because the city
prioritizes the efficient and fast movement.
prioritizes the efficient and fast movement of cars Chicago
is full of people who rely on other modes of transportation
besides cars and for us the current system is broken, it
leaves millions of Chicago.
leaves millions of Chicago residents behind or forced into
debt to buy cars. They shouldn't need we deserve complete
streets that consider everyone.
streets that consider everyone's needs. Thank you.
Thank you very much.
This concludes our public comment period we also received a
number of written comments that were sent to.
number of written comments that were sent to committee
members via email and will be recorded.
members via email and we'll be recorded in our februari
rule 45.
Our first order of business is the rule 45 report from
January.
January which was sent out via email and distributed.
January which was sent out via email and distributed to
committee members. Can I have a motion to approve the
January rule 45 report?
Uh Vice chair Cruise so moves all of those.
uh Vice chair Cruise so moves all of those in favor of
passing the report say I
all of those opposed say nay and
All of those opposed say nay and the opinion of the chair
that I have it we will now.
that I have it we will now begin with the items before the
committee. We're going to go out of order and we'll begin
with the ordinances on page 2
may I
May I have a motion to recommend approval of all?
May I have a motion to recommend approval of all direct
introduction ordinances on page?
introduction ordinances on page 2 by the same roll call
vote as was applied to deter.
vote as was applied to determine quorum.
so moved
So moved Autumn and Yancey hearing no objection so ordered.
let us turn to page 3 through 5 of the recommend
recommended portion of the agenda.
Can I have a motion to recommend approval of all?
recommended ordinances on pages 3 through 5?
recommended ordinances on pages 3 through 5 by the same
role call vote as was applied to?
role call vote as was applied to determine quorum.
Alder Vice chair crew so moves hearing no objections
ordered
Now we will move to Pages 6 through 13 of the agenda.
Now we will move to Pages 6 through 13 of the agenda which
are items that received no recommendation from City.
departments. These ordinances were submitted.
departments. These ordinances were submitted as overrides
are on the agenda at the request of the altar person, or do
not require Department.
not require departmental approval.
Can I first have a motion to wreck?
Can I first have a motion to recommend approval of all
ordinances on?
ordinances on pages 6 through 13 to be passed without?
departmental recommendation by the same roll call.
departmental recommendation by the same roll call vote as
was applied to determine quorum.
old woman worth so moves hearing no objections so ordered
we will report these items out.
we will report these items out at the next regularly
scheduled city council meeting.
We will now have a subject matter here in.
We will now have a subject matter here in the Chicago
Department of Transportation regarding.
Department of Transportation regarding the complete streets
guidelines pursuant to section.
guidelines pursuant to section 1014 of the Chicago
Municipal Code.
Uh, we have with us, uh acting Commission.
Uh, we have with us, uh acting commissioner Tom Carney.
Dave Smith and Zhang and am I pronouncing your thank you.
and vague Christian worthy from the Department of
Transportation.
here to present I ask that you reserved your questions and
comments until the conclusion of testim.
gentlemen commissioner
Gentlemen commissioner glad to have you with us. Thank you
chairman. Uh, good morning.
chairman, uh, good morning, uh, good morning, uh members of
the committee. Um, we're happy to uh be here today to
present.
present on sedat complete streets, uh guidelines.
um if I could just
if you could show me which button to
It's yeah, okay.
It's yeah. Okay. There we go. There we go. Okay, great.
Uh, thank you chairman. Um
so, uh just by way of background, um the Genesis of
So, uh just by way of background, um, the Genesis of this
was uh, an ordinance the complete Street.
was uh, an ordinance the complete streets, uh ordinance
passed in March of 2023. Um, and that that began work, um
to get us to this point, but I will flag from a historical
perspective.
perspective, um, the original uh, complete Street,
guidelines that the department first had was uh from 2013.
Um, so this is um,
a a nice advancement on updating because certainly we all
know that um the Dynamics on our streets and the the
Dynamics of Transportation have certainly changed over the
last 10 years.
Um, so walking
um, so walking through um the packet here, um,
We'll we'll we'll give an overview of these guidelines.
We'll we'll we'll give an overview of these guidelines, um
and walk through uh the work.
and walk through uh, the work that uh, our staff has been
uh doing since since the passage of the ordinance. Um,
we'll touch on some of the accomplishments from 2023.
we'll touch on some of the accomplishments from 2023 and
uh, give a little look ahead of how this will be.
implemented in 2024.
so the purpose of these guidelines is
So the purpose of these guidelines is to create safe street.
So Safe Streets are the foundation of an equitable safe
vibrant and sustainable.
vibrant and sustainable, Chicago.
uh, the guidelines established tools
Uh, the guidelines established tools and processes that c
dot will use to design and deliver.
dot will use to design and deliver complete Street elements
in a comprehensive.
in a comprehensive way through major transportation
projects. And as I referenced, you know, we had guidelines
that were first introduced in 2013. Um, I would not take in
a deep dive into them. I would characterize them.
a lot of aspirational and goal.
a lot of aspirational and goal type things and really with
um,
um the new ordinance from 2023 and
um, the new ordinance from 2023 and then aligning at the
time where we were um, working on our uh implementation of
our department.
our Department's strategic plan. Uh, what we have now is
not so much aspirational as much as the the blueprint.
how we do things and cod.
how we do things and codifying things of how our divisions
work to make this happen.
the purpose of these guidelines
uh
guidelines enable seat
guidelines enable C do to achieve the highest impact and
maximize delivery.
maximize delivery of the most beneficial Investments.
Um, so what that means is we're working to match the best.
design elements with the best projects based on implement.
implementation. So we certainly know we have a diverse
City.
city. Um, we have diverse neighborhoods.
city. Um, we have diverse neighborhoods and um, we
certainly have diverse streets. Um,
certainly have diverse streets, um throughout um, our city
and and you know, you think about the Dynamics of what um,
Western Avenue looks like in in certain parts where it's a
Boulevard,
Boulevard versus where you come, uh, Western Avenue, um,
crossing, you know, Milwaukee Avenue and where you have Di
diagonal streets, so we have city streets we have state.
routes through the city. So really what we're working to
is take um, what we know
is take um what we know and then how to apply that um to
these Dynamic and and different contexts that we have
throughout.
throughout our our our city and our our transportation
Network.
So we'll start by going over the design element.
So we'll start by going over the design element categories
that that we've uh, Cod.
that that we've uh codified and how we do our work. Um
first is core elements, and I I think these are things that
that Council and and and folks are very familiar with uh,
you know, add
you know, Ada ramps has been our standard. Um since
you know, Ada ramps has been our standard, um since 2006,
um, and we have uh enhanced crosswalks you can see them.
the visual there, uh Continental crosswalk.
the visual there, uh, Continental crosswalks so crosswalks
and and Ada ramp compl.
and and Ada ramp compliance. These are these in uh prom
safer transportation for um a pedestrian, uh, certainly
Safer transportation for um a pedestrian, uh, certainly um,
and these are standard for everything we do. These are a
baseline, uh element
we
We also have enhanced elements and that's where our folks
from.
from uh division of engineering division of project.
development division of traffic safety and then
development division of traffic safety, and then the other
support divisions work to
uh
move the needle on creating safer streets for our city, um
and these enhanced elements of really taken off in recent
years. So when we're talking enhanced elements, we're
thinking about curb bump outs. We're thinking about um
pedestrian.
pedestrian Refuge Islands, um to shorten that distance, um
that's required for folks to you know, cross the street.
Um, we're also talking about um, the curb con
protected bike lanes and uh neighborhood Greenway,
protected bike lanes and uh neighborhood Greenways.
And then finally that leads into Network element.
And then finally that leads into Network elements and these
are things where we're trying to work with our part.
are things where we're trying to work with our partners at
CTA to create bus bus only Lanes it's where we've uh again
further.
further in, you know, creating Greenways creating.
situations where it's safer for more multiple modes of of
of Transportation, um through corid,
um taking a deeper dive on these elements, um and expounding
on what I said, you know, so the core elements are are
things of you know, crosswalks and curb.
things of you know, crosswalks and curb ramps. Um, these
typically do not require.
typically do not require, um, utility or curb line
adjustments. These are pretty much uh projects that we can
um,
You know.
take
Take from design through OUC and through permitting.
Take from design through OUC and through permitting um is
pretty much standard routine.
pretty much standard routine, um where we get into enhanced
elements, that's where
elements. That's where there's um a bit more with the
implementation considerations. So there there's often
implementation considerations. So there there is often
require utility or Street configuration.
require utility or Street configuration adjustments. So we
have to we have to take consideration.
have to we have to take consideration and how how does this
effective if there's a catch basin?
effective if there's a catch Basin, um at that corner? Um,
so these these do require a bit more coordination a bit
more engineering design, but these are again ref.
more engineering design, but these are again Refuge Island
curb extensions raised crosswalk.
curb extensions raised crosswalks. These are the sort of
things. We've added to our toolbox.
And then lastly, uh the network elements.
And then lastly, uh, the network elements are taking it a
step further. Um, this is where we have uh bus bulbs and
and and boarding Islands which are are new things. We're
really expanded upon certainly last construction season. Um
bus lanes has been a thing we've continued to um Advance um
in corid
um in corridors such as like 79th Street or Chicago Avenue,
um, and then protected bike Lanes we had a
bust year in 2023 with the build out of
Bust year in 2023 with the buildout of more protected
concrete protected bike Lanes.
and then so taking these design elements that we just
touched on and then how does it fit into our project
categories? Um, so the main project categories where this
all lines into is so resurfacing I think everyone is
familiar with you know, the robust amount.
familiar with you know, the robust amount of Street
resurfacing we do as a department but Rec.
resurfacing we do as a department but reconfigure is is
another thing that we've really expanded.
another thing that we've really expanded upon um, and we
will go further into that in the next slide and then
rebuilding and and rebuilding is is I think another area
where folks are familiar with with things such.
streetscapes or Street reconstruction project.
streetscapes or Street reconstruction projects.
um
so resurfacing
So resurfacing, um, you know is takes place, uh City.
So resurfacing, um, you know is takes place, uh Citywide,
um each each construction season.
um, each each construction season, and the core elements
are
um, always a part of our street resurfacing project.
um, always a part of our street resurfacing projects. I
think 1 thing that um,
think 1 thing that um is really helpful about about this
ordinance.
ordinance is like these are things we've been doing for
years.
years but a bit, you know, see that is guilty of of having
a tyranny of the moment at times where we go on from the
next thing to the next thing to the next.
next thing to the next thing to the next project to the
next situation we have to deal with um as a city, um, and
what this codifying this really helps with is it it it it
was an update that was needed.
These design guid.
These design guidelines and it gives us a baseline that not
only is going to help.
only is going to help create safer environment for the
general public, but it's also going to be a a tool for our
department to build.
department to build upon um that we have a baseline that
we're always working on and then it's really I see it as a
really great tool.
really great tool for our staff as we continue to bring in.
new folks into project development new folks into traffic
saf.
safety new folks into engineering we have some things.
are good training tool for them to work on and familiy.
and get them up to speed quicker with the work we do. Um,
so, uh, certainly the the resurfacing these
are always a part of resurfacing. There's always going to
be an up.
be an upgrade of the Ada ramps with resurfacing.
Um reconfigure is a thing that we've really moved the
needle on recently. Um, I I'd like to point out to um the
work we did.
work we did on Belmont Avenue this past construction
season.
where um, we really created a lot more.
where um, we really created a lot of more safer space for
folks to board.
folks to board buses, but also safer environment for
folks to to to cycle for uh cyclists and um for those uh,
who maybe haven't made it up that way. It's really a unique
project to see if you're from a different board or
different part of town it. It's really eye-opening, uh of
what we can do. Um, and the great work that our folks are
are putting out there. Um, another example is Central Park
by the Garfield.
by the Garfield Park Conservatory. Um, that was another
great.
That had um raised cross.
that had um raised crosswalks to create a safe for
environment for folks, um visiting the conservatory.
um, and then lastly
Um, and then lastly rebuild, um rebuild as a reference.
our streetscape type projects, um our street
reconstructions and these really give us an
do things, um to really um,
create a holistic approach.
Create a holistic approach and and connect Networks.
connect, you know further enhance the connectivity of the
CTA.
CTA further connect, um transportation options to those on
bike. Um, and really connect.
bike. Um, and really connect taking it a step further to
connect neighborhoods and uh, really open up Transportation
options for for our um our residents.
Um, so this side the point of this slide.
um, so this side the point of this slide, you know C Dots
process to evaluate the applicability and sustainability of
the elements. Um, this slide exists to show how they they
intersect how the elements intersect with the projects and
then in these boxes,
then in these boxes it's where we look to see where the
right fits and where um, we we can really move the needle
on things it it's it's more of a um,
documented way to um, and and um
I would say uh.
structured way of capturing what uh hard
Structured way of capturing what uh hardworking folks have
done for years, you know for years our our group.
done for years, you know for years. Our our groups would
get together when we'd have our 40 miles of our and take it
block by block and figure out where we can add. Where where
is it a right idea to add?
is it? A right idea to add a bump out. Where is it a good
place to put a refuge Island? What is the what is the the
data showing us of where there's been uh traffic?
data showing us of where there's been uh traffic crashes.
What is the data showing us where pedestrians have?
hit? This is really putting the structure.
hit? This is really putting the structure and and formality
to what we've we've done previously.
to what we've we've done previously and taken it to another
level.
And so just in in closing out here, this is an example.
And so just in in closing out here, this is an example of
Belmont and and it shows you that um,
you know the core elements that
You know the core elements that were added here, um
enhanced crosswalk.
enhanced crosswalks and the Ada curb ramps the enhanced
element.
elements of of Refuge Island and curb extens.
elements of of Refuge Island and curb extensions, and then
the network elements.
the network elements, um where you know, Belmont is a
unique Street,
unique Street in that it connects. Um, you know, you're
Crossing, um,
You know, there's only certain parts you can cross the
Chicago.
Chicago River on the North side over on Belmont that you
have a metro.
have a metro stop. It connects you to buy I um the um, the
River Run, um,
River Run. Um, so it it's a unique connection Point
transportation.
Transportation wise, but it's also a key bus Corridor for
folks who are trying to to take bus and then it connects
certainly to
Um, I 94 and Dabo.
um, I 94 and Dabo Lakeshore Drive, so connecting that that
overall Network thing opens up more Transportation
opportunities.
opportunities to folks uh traveling around.
And so just how how this all played.
And so just how how this all played out in the 2023. Um
approximately 7700 core elements if you add up.
approximately 7700 core elements if you add up the the the
Ada ramps and and and uh pavement marking projects, um that
were in the pavement markings work that was involved in our
project.
projects the um, there was 700
enhanced elements and then we we moved the needle of 55
miles of network.
miles of network elements, um in 2023.
miles of network elements, um in 2023, so it was a very
successful um construction season.
successful, um construction season on that front and
then with 202.
then with 2024 and this is per the the ordinance, you know
all of our all of our projects, uh are now in this working
in this framework. Um, so 2024 will will continue the
efforts on this. Um, some examples. I mean, we we'll
certainly total up. Um,
certainly total up. Um the numbers as we get when we close
the books on 2024 and per the ordinance will be report.
the books on 2024 and per the ordinance will be reporting
uh on our our uh, our numbers on that front and and what we
accomplished, um, but some examples that you can anticipate
to see um with these guidelines. Um, Ogden Avenue, we have
a major resurfacing project that's going to include the
core elements of
of what we talked about
Of what we talked about reconfiguring. Um, we have projects
on Northwestern Avenue that are going to reconfigure to
enable, uh more bus boarding and then rebuild, um that
currently have a streetscape project going on on South
Commercial.
Commercial Avenue where that's going to really, um, rebuild
and change some of the Dynamics of of of that corridor.
um
Um, so thank you for allowing us to present on that. I'm
me and the team are happy to answer any questions at this
time.
Thank you so much commissioner before we go to.
and I sincerely hope we've got some great ones in the room.
I wanted to
First say I didn't even know about complete streets as an
idea until I was in grad school at UIC and it was a
genuine.
paradigm shift for me in terms of thinking about what
transportation
Transportation what getting around could look like and I
wanted to
thank you and your team because I personally experienced
the impact of this work.
the impact of this work every single day even this morning
when my daughter and I were crossing Campbell to get to the
bus. That is a safer intersection.
bus that is a safer intersection because of what your team
did last year.
did last year when I cross home or buy my office to get
lunch or to get on the blue line.
that
That is so much safer because of what your team.
That is so much safer because of what your team did like, I
there's so many intersections where I could say.
there's so many intersections where I could say the same
thing and we don't talk about it because it's ideological
or Progressive we talk about it because it works because it
is keeping ourselves and our residents safer. Absolutely on
a daily basis. So I wanted to thank you for that. Um,
you chairman, welcome, uh with that. Can I take
you chairman. Welcome, uh with that. Can I take uh, do we
have questions in the room?
or online
Yes ottoman man, I happen.
Yes ottoman man. I happened.
Thank you.
Thank you chair. Thanks for this presentation commissioner.
And um, thanks for being here to explain the process. I had
a well first of all, I'll
a well first of all also, um, I appreciate the responds.
responsiveness of C dot you know, and and responds.
responsiveness of C dot, you know, and and response to the
um pedestrian.
um pedestrian, um fatality that we had on Broadway and
Winona and we see a lot of the design elements. Um,
Winona and we see a lot of the design elements um there
because we need it I would
because we need it. I would like to get to a point where we
don't have a fatality before we actually make changes.
don't have a fatality before we actually make changes and
uh to our infrastructure especially around school.
uh to our infrastructure especially around schools this the
speakers today, um were very pointed to to talk about and
um, it shouldn't take oh, you know nearly a decade for us
to pay attention.
to pay attention to what's happening around our schools.
Um, I'm also thinking about um,
I'm also thinking about.
I'm also thinking about the tour that um, I took.
I'm also thinking about the tour that um, I took with other
altars to the South and West sides of Chicago. In fact in
the war that I grew up.
the war that I grew up in in the 10th Ward where you know,
there are no sidewalks.
for kids to walk to school and so I
For kids to walk to school and so I want to understand in
this.
process where Equity is, um laid out in this process and
how you um get to that.
how you um get to that before we um, move forward and
rebuild.
rebuild like how do we actually create?
um that into the design
sure, so thank you for that question.
Sure, so thank you for that question. Um, so um
This this comes into play.
this this comes into play after projects have been you
know, identified and funded and they're going into design.
So this is what we do. Um,
for all projects Citywide, you know Northwest South right,
so
prior to that
Prior to that and this is to answer your question. Um, we
have worked very hard.
have worked very hard in in recent years to create.
have worked very hard in in recent years to create metrics
to determine project selection.
to determine project selection and in our metrics, uh, not
only do we look at things like condition.
only do we look at things like condition assessment or
crash data.
crash data, um, you know, um things of that nature we also
have what we call the moback which is the mobility.
have what we call the moback which is the mobility, um
hardship index that was created and that takes into account
econom.
economic hardship. Um Mobility challenge,
economic hardship, um Mobility challenges, um, it it takes
into a variety of factors.
into a variety of factors to show us where um,
you know certain economic indicators are and so that's
You know certain economic indicators are and so that's a
factor. That's a calculator that's into all all.
factor. That's a calculator that's into all all of the
major projects. We do to ensure that.
major projects. We do to ensure that we're um,
we're we're hitting the need of of where there's been
disinvestment.
disinvestment previously.
Thank you.
Thank you and be happy to take if you want. Yeah.
me. Um, big Chris Murphy managing Deputy. Good morning Al
Alder woman. Um, I think additional to what the
commissioner said.
said, um when we get through that robust project selection,
and to the point of implementing our design tools,
something we've been very much more cognizant of in the
last few years is understanding the racial equity.
last few years is understanding the racial equity and
geographical Equity aspect to traffic crashes and really
understanding the data what's going on.
understanding the data what's going on, um and traffic
crashes in our city.
crashes in our city what we see is uh when we talk about
vulnerable.
vulnerable Road users we
abs
Absolutely think about people walking and biking however a
large percentage.
large percentage of our traffic fatalities still are people
driving vehicles.
driving Vehicles. So in these guidelines, we're really
trying to Center.
trying to Center the idea that a safer street is when
safer for everyone and how we can use ballistic.
safer for everyone and how we can use ballistic design
strategies to make it safer for people walking.
strategies to make it safer for people walking people
riding cycles and people in Motor Vehicles who most of our
crashes involve, uh pedestrians and
crashes involve, uh, pedestrians and bicycles and terms of
people outside of cars getting impacted, but there are a
lot of crashes still in terms of people.
lot of crashes still in terms of people and vehicles
hitting fixed objects hitting people in other vehicles. So
the whole street design is really trying to send it around
safety and I think as a commissioner said 10 years ago, uh,
we were really thinking more about modalities in our
complete streets.
complete streets guidelines saying, you know, what are we
doing for pedestrians? What are we?
doing for pedestrians? What are we doing for bikes? What
are we doing for Transit? Uh, and if you look like
project like Belmont,
Which was identified?
which was identified as a high crash Corridor in the city.
major transit route to the blue line as commissioner said
an important connection Across The River To The River Run
and through those Network barriers for a cycling.
and through those Network barriers for a cycling the key
principle in the design is managing speed.
principle in the design is managing speed and conflict. So
we're trying to make it safer for all modes and try to get
to that Equitable benefit where really everybody is
winning.
because all modalities are getting better.
Thank you. I appreciate that.
Can you I have 2 more questions, is that all right?
Can you I have 2 more questions is that all right? Nice. I
um, I know that other cities are.
um, I know that other cities are implementing, um complete
streets Orden.
streets ordinances and I um was hoping that somebody could
speak.
speak on um a little bit more. I know we're talking a lot
about cars, but can you speak a little bit more about how
sidewalks are are um involved in your in Your Vision. Um,
we have a lot of Walkers, you know in in the Edgewater area
and um, most people that I talk,
and um, most people that I talk to on our business
quarters, they they say they get there because they took
transit or they walk there from the neighborhood or
know, um, and they of course we have Bikers too, but
know, um, and they of course we have Bikers too. But um,
uh, I just want to to note that we have a very diverse
award include including students which we should absolutely
Center but also,
Center but also seniors and those with disabilities who use
um assisted devices. So can you speak a little bit more?
about how sidewalks um are in this program?
um sure so I mean
Um sure so I mean sidewalks. I I think the the the biggest
part.
part of it is is to get us is our work to try and get us to
100% Um Ada ramp.
100% Um Ada ramps, um Citywide to get you know, we're we're
past the halfway point for sure, but we still have
locations throughout the city that have never had Ada
ramps, um installed, um ADA Compliant ramps. Um, and then
even when we do get to that,
Compliance. We we know that um earlier iterations the first
iterations of the Ada tiles that went in, you know,
starting in 2006 a lot of impro.
starting in 2006. A lot of improvement has been made in the
materials and and the products and the you know, the Ada,
um, 88 ramps that we put in now now our cast iron is our
standard and and they they have shown to be very very
effective and very durable. So we have a a whole Legacy of
of uh,
you know inventory out.
you know inventory out there that would predates the cast
iron. So even when we get to the point where we've got Ada
installed everywhere we are going to have to
installed everywhere. We are going to have to work to get
cast iron in places where there used to be plastic tiles.
Um, so that that's why the work uh that this is certainly
um Ada tiles is a core element because we have work as a
city to get to that that finish line on that. Um,
regards to sidewalk. Uh, I I think our city is built out.
Um,
pretty well with
Pretty well with the sidewalk Network that I think um other
cities.
cities would have Envy of um, the fact that you know
blacks, you know, you know both
blacks, you know, you know, both Core Business corridors
and residentials you have sidewalk everywhere. I think that
the work that we
that the work that we uh take very seriously and have to
continue on is you know, we had
continue on is, you know, we had a lot of lean budget years
where we didn't put enough infrastructure dollars towards
um,
um keeping our sidewalks safe.
um, keeping our sidewalks safe, you know repairing the
sidewalk to eliminate trip hazards.
sidewalk to eliminate trip hazards or uh, you know hazards
for um,
people um
You know blind, uh, you know, or people in wheelchair.
You know blind, uh, you know or people in wheelchair. Um,
so there is catch up work that you know with the capital
money. We've received in recent years. We are catching up
on that but there's certainly a large city that we have.
many years to make up for to make our our sidewalks safe.
and and for everyone to transverse on
Nice and just as a follow-up. Do we have a plan to do an
audit of all of those ad?
audit of all of those Ada ramps? Uh, you said that
Are upgrades and so we we record?
Are upgrades and so we we record we have a a catalog a
database?
database of all, um where we've they've been done so we
have that, um that that was part of the original like, uh,
you know,
you know Ada settlement agreement that came in the
existence but you know between us and um,
the uh, the Ada settlement with the Department of Justice,
so we've since
So we've since that time have been tracking everywhere. So
it's it's all listed out.
it's it's all listed out but it's it's quite extensive. So
and then we we use our our DOT map system to also record.
um where they are so it's um, and then that's that's
certainly when in the part of the survey process for any of
our projects or other.
our projects or other agencies projects. That's that's 1 of
the first things that 1 of the components they have to
identify is this
does our project touch the
Does our project touch the corner and does ADA compliance
need to be implemented?
thank you, and then uh last
Thank you. And then uh last question for now I had
Thank you. And then uh last question for now, I had um also
an interest in learning a little bit more about the I think
it's called what alter
it's called what Altar and Matt Martin's proposed. Um,
earlier about Safe Streets and the pilot downtown.
earlier about Safe Streets in the pilot downtown, um with
the parking and the bike,
the parking and the bike Lanes. Um, can you can somebody
speak on any updates with that?
Yes, so so, uh see that is working very closely with the
Department of Finance and uh CTA on that. Um, we're
working. Um,
um towards um, I think if I'm wrong that we did do a
briefing with um,
2 of the downtown, uh Alderman because that's where the
pilot.
pilot area is in the downtown and then we'll be working to
do.
do extra briefings, um to to other council members, but the
work is to get uh the camera enforcement on
work is to get uh, the camera enforcement on sedat public
way inspector and and and Department of Finance, uh
inspector vehic.
inspector Vehicles so that they can do the photo
enforcement.
enforcement of of you know, folks blocking.
Bike Lanes or blocking? Uh bus
bike Lanes or blocking, uh bus dedicated lanes, and then
CTA is also working to get the cameras on theirs. We're
we're working.
we're working towards trying to give it stood up by this
this summer. So then that we can then start the the testing
it out and and implementation of the pilot. Um, I think is
there anything um, I I think that's that's about right. We
went through as Commission.
went through as commissioner said some of the first few
months after the ordinance passed.
months after the ordinance passed, uh, evaluating different
types of Technology Solutions.
types of Technology Solutions strict cameras, mobile
cameras and really trying to understand what would be the
fastest to Market and most scalable. Uh, and so we are
thinking about mobile camera method right now as
commissioner said mounted in a V.
commissioner said mounted in a variety of City vehicles,
um, and we're working diligently.
Um, and we're working diligently to get that those
installed and up and running.
thank you, you know as um
someone who's had um several hip replacements in the last
couple years. I've had to use an assisted device getting on
into the neighborhood.
into the neighborhood with um with a walker and a and
cane and all that. Um, so broken side.
cane and all that. Um, so broken sidewalks. Obviously, we
we want to address that but also, um as uh,
as I'm very excited actually because I just bought a bike.
Um, and
Oh, um and uh 1 of the speakers you actually who came
today.
was like that. Looks like a really cool bike you should
consider that and I actually I I said, yeah this really
fits great for me. So I'm excited to get uh into our bike
Lanes. Um, I I think about um, you know, too many people
who um who lost their lives.
who um who lost their lives just because they're trying to
get around the neighborhood including um, families, uh, who
just want to to shop or get to school. Um and
children especially who uh, including Lily Shambrook who
lost her life.
lost her life because of a truck that was in a bike.
lost her life because of a truck that was in a bike lane
and um, you know, we want to prevent that from happening.
We need to slow down streets and we need uh, our sidewalks
and our bike Lanes to to work.
and our bike Lanes to to work for everybody. Um, I I know
family
Who who came to the Andersonville?
who who came to the Andersonville area from you know, Albany
Park and I thought that was really outstanding. I never
thought that I would see that like a whole family with
young kids. Um, but so we're doing it and I see that
happening. Um, we just want more and faster.
happening. Um, we just want more and faster, um, and um
more communication about how it's going. So, I'd appreciate
that too. Thank you. Thank you Alderman chair.
Thank you very much a Woman by the way Mr. Shambrook. I
know.
know you'd asked about the automated enforcement. Hope that
answers the question. But if you've got follow-up feel free
to email the the committee staff.
um any further questions from
Um any further questions from committee? Yes. Okay. We're
going to go to Alderman Chico and then Alderman law.
uh, as you mentioned Commercial Avenue has a streetscape,
uh, I'm grateful for that.
That was prior to me Assam.
That was prior to me assuming this role.
Can you walk me through?
After commercial was identified.
She processed it.
She processed it with engaging the community and setting
forth. What's going to happen on Commercial kind of?
forth. What's going to happen on Commercial kind of walk me
through that.
Sure, so.
Sure. So, um with all of our streetscape project.
Sure. So, um with all of our streetscape projects. Um, there
is a component of community outreach, um working with you
know, the local Alderman working with if there's a relevant
SSA, uh other community groups, um, The Advocates, um,
know streetscapes are a big investment and and we want to
make sure we're getting it right. We want to make sure
we're speaking to
speaking to what um, the needs are of of the community not
only the residents but the businesses on that on those
corridors. Um, we we do, you know bring to
corridors. Um, we we do, you know, bring to uh, those
meetings and those collaborations, you know, um, our design
ideas, but we you know, and then we welcome the feedback.
Um, and then um, you know, we certainly, you know bring
Um, and then um, you know, we certainly, you know, bring
things that maybe they are not familiar with such as like
crash data or things like that or or information on um CTA.
information on um, CTA like travel times, you know, we we
bring elements that they
Bring elements that they might not be familiar with.
bring elements that they might not be familiar with. Um,
I don't have off the top of my.
I don't have off the top of my head like the number of
community meetings that was done on that but we we can
follow up with you on on like the the history of of
commercial and like, um just for
commercial and like um, just for it's my own personal
knowledge. Um,
Changing changing a bike. I mean, um a bus stop.
Changing changing a bike. I mean, um a bus stop that would
have been ran through the community.
have been ran through the community and and um, it was it
was new about it. Essentially. Yes and and CTA. Yes. Yeah
and big if you want, yeah Alderman, um, uh generally as
commissioner mentioned, right we
commissioner mentioned, right? We approached the street
design as it's like equal.
design as it's like equal parts aspiration and opportunity
and I think our technical staff in the box and back to the
office are really in the opportunity side.
office are really in the opportunity side trying to bring
okay we have let's say make up a number 80 feet here,
right? How could that 80 feet be configured? Um, so we will
typically work from like 10.
typically work from like 10% design 30% concept design.
bring multiple, uh cross-section options,
bring multiple, uh cross-section options back to the
community Through Community meetings get feedback. Um, and
then work once we break a preferred.
then work once we break a preferred craft section design
through those details. Um,
through those details, um oftentimes we're relocating a bus
stop. It's very much.
Looking at an intersection and trying to fit.
you know, the bench is all the the shelter, you know, if
something's going on on 1 and
something's going on on 160 plus percent design. We'll
bring those key changes to either a steer.
bring those key changes to either uh steering committee or
a stakeholder group that will set up.
a stakeholder group that will set up, uh more kind of um,
like a super users.
like a super users group represent, you know, all the
interests right the different modal.
interests right the different modalities business interests
Chamber of Commerce or SS.
Chamber of Commerce or SSA, um, and we can follow up with
you.
More in detail if you'd like about any particular location.
Appreciate that kind of my line of questioning.
Goes back to you know.
When you're a new aldermen, this was done before me.
When you're a new aldermen, this was done before me now.
There's the SSA or different business.
There's the SSA or different businesses.
Or we were caught off guard with this. I don't believe that
to be necessarily the fact, but I just wanted to give
myself context.
to how that process played out and and who was
To how that process played out and and who was involved so
I I appreciate you.
Thank you.
thank
Thank you very much. Thank you very much almond. Um.
almond Lawson
thank you, uh chair and and thank you all and I apologize I
missed some of the presentation but um, the 1 thing I I
wanted to mention was loading. Um,
wanted to mention was loading. Um as as my colleague from
the 40th Ward mentioned and when it comes to bike Lanes,
when it comes to pedestrian and traffic safety, um, you
know, it's often a a car parked. That's
know, it's often a a car parked that's unloading in a
crosswalk in sight lines.
crosswalk in sight lines in the bike lane on top of a bike
lane. Um,
I think I would challenge us to have a more Universal
approach when it comes to loading. Um, frankly. I don't
know that we need the super large.
know that we need the super large semis in our city at all.
Um, or or maybe not east of Western. Um, but I think we
need to have a plan. Um, and it's not just on our
commercial streets, but also on our
streets, but also on our residential streets as we as our
delivery economy, I don't think is going anywhere. I don't
think we've planned for loading as part of the street. Um,
and it's, you know, it's tight streets like Broadway and
wide streets like like Western too, right? Um, and then and
then residential streets and and our and our zoning code
our business code doesn't require loading zones for most
businesses.
businesses that may be getting some of the largest
deliveries. Actually we do for a daycare. Um, you know that
has a regular car.
has a regular car and some little ones coming out of it,
but so they were planning
But so there were planning and other places we aren't and
so I just I want to raise that as something that I
an issue for certainly for safety for um, all of us who
trans, you know trans transit in our neighborhoods on foot
on 2 wheels or 4, um that we take a better look at that.
Because I know there have been some Pilots downtown.
loading zones. Um, but making sure you know.
loading zones. Um, but making sure you know, every
neighborhood is going to need them. We could probably have
1 per block.
1 per block, um certainly for daytime hours and and they
would be fairly well used. So, um, I just want to flag that
um, and then again, thank you for everything. You're going
to send the presentation.
to send the presentation as well. Yes, sir. Awesome. Thank
you. Thank you.
Tossing it to ottoman Martin.
Thanks very much chair, um good to see you both and and the
teams, um, also, uh, just again wanted to thank you both.
Um you in particular commissioner for working with me.
um you in particular commissioner for working with me on
the substance of this, uh in advance.
the substance of this, uh in advance of us considering and
passing this last term. Um, I also missed part of the
presentation so apologies,
presentation so apologies if this is a rehash but 1 thing
that we continue to be sensitive to and 47 is uh opportun
opportunities given um our Transit environment.
collaboratively with CTA is a sister agency.
sometimes we find um in a particular intersection while if
we're going to do bus Rapid Transit, potentially,
we're going to do bus Rapid Transit potentially in the
coming years, obviously, it's not a today decision. Um, it
might mean we go this route and if we're not then maybe we
go this other route, for example,
go this other route for example using um, uh, say say bump
outs in Cur.
outs in curb extensions and similar to what Alderman law.
just mentioned in terms of loading zone would definitely
plus 1 that but, you know same way with CTA to figure out.
Okay. Well if there's something that's coming down the
pipeline in terms of br.
station improvements, uh, making sure that they're giving
you their input so that you can all make decisions so that
we don't 5 years from now say hey gosh, we would have done
things differently, but for CTA flagging something. Um,
I've separately raised that with with CTA leadership just
this last week, but wanted to take this opportunity to do
it with the 2.
it with the 2 of you as well because I think that um,
need to find
in better ways to
In better ways to collaborate with our sister agencies and I
think the complete streets initi.
think the complete streets initiative, um is is ripe for
that in a way that's not zero sum.
Yes.
Yes, I I your points are very well. Taken Alderman. Um
yeah, there's there's um, definitely.
yeah, there's there's um, definitely, you know, CTA is key
to this. Um,
to this um, and you know and our work our responsibility as
a department is is key to to you know,
uh
Making CTA more successful.
making CTA more successful, you know and and the benefits
that brings to to our city and to our residents. So, um, we
we take that uh role very seriously. Um, I will say that I
think there is um,
a a growth that's happening, you know both with our
A a growth that's happening, you know both with our staff.
Um,
that's been here for a while and and myself included and
and the um, you know Folks at CTA if you think about a lot
of the stuff we've built is still pretty new. So we're
still like learning.
still like learning our lessons and we're still growing
things that um that maybe you know something when it first
went in was a little bit, you know, groundbreaking is now
starting to get a bit more of the norm and and you do have
instances where um, we're doing things.
instances where um, we're doing things that maybe are
unfamiliar to that part of town. So, um, I know we're in a
really fast-paced environment, but some of this stuff takes
years to develop that comfortability. Um, but your your
points are certainly well taken and and you know, we we are
Comm
committed to continue to work.
and and improve those
And and improve those um those collaborations. Thank you for
that and I
that. And I think the final thing I would just share is um
along Clark Street. There's a lot of terrific work that's
been done with bike and pedestrian infrastructure north of
Irving Park some of its
Irving Park some of it's already been laid, and we've
received a lot of good feedback.
received a lot of good feedback also some constructive
feedback in some areas. Um, but very excited to see that
work continue.
work continued. Um, as we continue planning with the
community,
community North of Montrose, so just uh wanted to thank the
team David in particular and the Box, um for for that work,
I think that's a great addition to our community and 1 that
um is is poised to extend. Um,
um is is poised to extend, um, even Beyond 47, so, thank
you. Thank you chair.
Thank you. Miss. Very welcome m.
Thank you. Miss. Very welcome, mate, uh any further
questions in the room any further on online, then I'll
close out with a couple of my own. So, um,
a lot of us if
A lot of us. If not, all of us are having our our CIP
briefings right now. Those have been fantastic. Uh, all of
us are going to be making menu authorizations. What are
some of the what are some of the good questions?
some of the what are some of the good questions that we can
be asking either of C Dot?
be asking either of C dot or asking of ourselves as we're
thinking about how to implement these values and
Design Elements, uh in the infrastruct.
Design Elements, uh in the infrastructure work in our
award.
Um, you know 1 1 of the reasons.
Um, you know, 1 1 of the reasons the you know cat is
supportive.
supportive of the menu program, you know, the menu program
is is a dynamic, uh program that you don't really see in in
other cities across the country. Um, but you know, we we
believe that the the Alders know their communities
best. Um, they know that they have the pulse and
feedback of their residents, um better than than we could
take on for all 50 wards.
take on for all 50 Wards. So, um, we can look at on a map
and and see that a school or a church is there but um, we
we trust and know that that your offices know really, what
is that
what is those key corners or the
What is those key corners or the the block down? Where is
where is the real? Um concern or what is the dynamic in the
neighborhood?
neighborhood that is causing that intersection to maybe be
more critical.
more critical and in need of um,
you know speed humps or in need of a
You know speed humps or in need of a bump out or in need of
some a traffic circle Maybe.
some a traffic circle. Maybe this is really um where the
problem is or where we're you know, most of the students
are are coming from those. Those are the sort of things
that we really rely on, uh, Council and your know,
that we really rely on, uh, Council and your knowledge, uh,
and your staff's knowledge of your neighborhoods and
and what the needs are of your communities.
I appreciate that very much the last question.
because you you talked touched on this briefly that we
a lot of years of lean infrastruct.
a lot of years of lean infrastructure investment in the
city. We're we're in 1 of those conversation years again.
this year. We're going to be a passing a new capital
Improvement.
Improvement plan this fall.
How can those of us in the room or those of us outside?
the room B be the best advocate?
the room B be the best Advocates to make sure that we keep
up?
up robust investment that we don't go back to those lean
times.
Um
well, I mean
Well, I mean it it it it's a very large city. Um, and you
know that there's there's
know there there's there's um
You know 7,4.
You know 7,400 miles, um that that's that's a large.
Transportation Network and um
right wrong or the other we don't I
Right wrong or the other we don't I mean fortunately knock
on wood. We're having a mild winter, but we don't.
on wood. We're having a mild winter, but we don't always
have mild Winters and um the you know, the uh the weather
have mild Winters and um the you know, the uh, the weather
plays a role in in how the life cycle of our streets, um to
keep our city.
keep our city moving, you know, uh trucks buses things.
They you know, there there's things that impact our our
infrastructure. So there's there's a need to consistently
invest in that. Um, and then there's, you know, there's
things that you know,
um
I I I think
um 1 of the great things.
Um 1 of the great things. Um
With the capital plan, you know with with that.
With the capital plan, you know with with that we've gotten
into a posture where we're doing. Uh,
into a posture where we're doing, uh concrete, you know
Green alleys in in every Ward.
Green alleys in in every Ward, um, you know, those are
investments that should last the sporty.
investments that should last a sporty plus years, you know,
and when you don't have
know, and when you don't have a capital program and you
don't have those opportunities you don't make those
don't have those opportunities, you don't make those
Investments and I think many members of the council know of
of instances where well we didn't have money for the
correct fix to this.
correct fix to this this alley that was important condition
and causing flooding and we tried to do an asphalt
resurfacing that was cheap.
resurfacing that was cheaper. That was what the budget
could afford and we created more flooding.
could afford and we created more flooding problems for
residents and and frustrations. So, um having money for
Capital to fix things the right way.
You know, there's something.
You know, there's something to be said about that. Well,
you know these
you know, these are like I said, the Investments should
last us forty years and that would make a difference for
those residents. Um that this shouldn't be a problem for
for us and then it then you avoid the maintenance costs we
see.
see that's not going to be sending a pothole crew there and
they were going to lose them for a half a day because they
got to put 3 ton.
got to put 3 ton of asphalt down to address the potholes.
I appreciate that a lot. I the the feedback.
I appreciate that a lot. I the the feedback the presentation
today helps us to think differently and think smart about
our Wards and our community. So I appreciate that very much
and for everyone's really thoughtful questions and
participation.
participation, uh with there being.
participation, uh with there being no further business
before the committee. May I have a motion?
business before the committee. May I have a motion to
adjourn?
Alderman Martin, so
Alderman Martin so moves all those in favor signify by
saying I
we are journeyed. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you chairman.