# Submission of public question by referendum to Chicago 40th Ward voters on February 23, 2027 primary election on if Chicago should utilize N/S Western Ave, from W Howard St to W 79th St, for Bus Rapid Transit

[Legislation tracker](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/tracker) › [Committees and Rules](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/committee/committees-and-rules) › [40th Ward: Andre Vasquez Jr.](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/40)

- Record number: **R2026-0028518**
- Type: Resolution; category: City Council
- Status: In Committee (Referred)
- Sponsor: [Andre Vasquez Jr.](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/40) (40th Ward)
- Committee: [Committee on Committees and Rules](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/committee/committees-and-rules)
- Submitted Date: Sep 18, 2026
- Introduction Date: Sep 23, 2026
- Official record: [Office of the City Clerk](https://chicityclerkelms.chicago.gov/Matter/?matterId=E26B1603-D4B3-F111-AAAC-001DD803847B)

## Impact report

> Written by AI from [the official document](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/matterattachmentspublic/6a38ec6a-6ee7-4c5a-9331-edb649057ab3.pdf). AI can make mistakes; the official document always wins.

This resolution would put an advisory question on the February 23, 2027 ballot asking 40th Ward voters whether Chicago should use Western Avenue, from Howard to 79th, for Bus Rapid Transit.

**Who it affects**

- **40th Ward voters**: Voters in all precincts of the 40th Ward would see a yes-or-no question about Bus Rapid Transit on Western Avenue on their February 23, 2027 ballot.
- **Bus riders on Western Avenue**: The ballot question asks about adding dedicated bus lanes, better stop amenities, and signal changes meant to improve commute time and access for bus riders.
- **Drivers on Western Avenue**: The ballot question asks about dedicated lanes and traffic signal changes that it says are meant to improve commute time for cars as well as buses.
- **40th Ward residents who attended the town hall**: The question came from an August 31, 2026 town hall where residents named pressing issues for the ballot.

**What changes**

- 40th Ward voters would answer a YES or NO question about Bus Rapid Transit on Western Avenue.
- The question covers Western Avenue from Howard Street to 79th Street.
- The Bus Rapid Transit described would include dedicated lanes, improved bus stop amenities, and traffic signal changes.
- The City Clerk would send the question to the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners.
- The resolution itself only places a question on the ballot; it does not state that Bus Rapid Transit would be built.

**Where**: 40th Ward; Western Avenue (N/S Western Ave); W Howard St; W 79th St

**When**: Upon passage; the question would appear on the February 23, 2027 consolidated primary election ballot.

## Timeline

- Sep 23, 2026: Referred, City Council. The matter was Referred to Committee.

## Documents

- [R - 40th Ward Referendum Question\_Western Ave Bus Rapid Transit (1).pdf](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/files/clerk/matterattachmentspublic/6a38ec6a-6ee7-4c5a-9331-edb649057ab3.pdf) (Legislation)

## Related legislation

**More from Andre Vasquez Jr.**

- [Amendment of Municipal Code Chapter 2-165 by modifying requirements for businesses to enter into Debt Transaction with City of Chicago](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/O2026-0029465-modifying-requirements-businesses-enter-debt-transaction) (O2026-0029465, introduced Oct 14, 2026, Referred)
- [Amendment of Annual Appropriation Ordinance to transfer of funds within Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights for Year 2026](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/O2026-0029445-annual-appropriation-ordinance-transfer-funds-committee) (O2026-0029445, introduced Oct 14, 2026, Referred)
- [Submission of public question by referendum to 40th ward voters at February 23, 2027 election on whether Chicago should support moratorium…](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/R2026-0029440-submission-public-question-referendum-40th-ward) (R2026-0029440, introduced Oct 14, 2026, Referred)

**More on City Council**

- [Tribute to late Michael Keller Ditka](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/R2026-0029456-tribute-late-michael-keller-ditka) (R2026-0029456, introduced Oct 14, 2026, Referred)
- [Submission of public question by referendum to Chicago 30th Ward voters on February 23, 2027 election on support for adoption of ranked…](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/R2026-0029263-submission-public-question-referendum-chicago-30th) (R2026-0029263, introduced Oct 14, 2026, Referred)
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Source: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/R2026-0028518-submission-public-question-referendum-chicago-40th · Chicago Politics, an independent tracker of the Chicago City Council. Guide for agents: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/llms.txt