Emily Hugan
@changeurbanlife.bsky.social
chicago urbanist, mediocre triathlete, and baker
https://substack.com/@brickandwheel
https://substack.com/@brickandwheel
Reposted by Emily Hugan
Projected head tax revenue: $82m
CPD budget increase: $143m
Meanwhile massive cuts to libraries, public health, and safe streets. Make it make fucking sense.
CPD budget increase: $143m
Meanwhile massive cuts to libraries, public health, and safe streets. Make it make fucking sense.
I’m not even against the head tax!
But you cannot sit here in good faith saying this is a good budget when the increase in the CPD budget is nearly DOUBLE the projected revenue of the head tax!
And meanwhile cutting critical preventative public safety infrastructure spending by a whopping 70%!
But you cannot sit here in good faith saying this is a good budget when the increase in the CPD budget is nearly DOUBLE the projected revenue of the head tax!
And meanwhile cutting critical preventative public safety infrastructure spending by a whopping 70%!
December 12, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Projected head tax revenue: $82m
CPD budget increase: $143m
Meanwhile massive cuts to libraries, public health, and safe streets. Make it make fucking sense.
CPD budget increase: $143m
Meanwhile massive cuts to libraries, public health, and safe streets. Make it make fucking sense.
I bought and moved in to a converted coach house and I mourn that the neighbor's coach house is home to a Chevy and not a friend
December 12, 2025 at 4:46 PM
I bought and moved in to a converted coach house and I mourn that the neighbor's coach house is home to a Chevy and not a friend
Reposted by Emily Hugan
Two ladies asked to share the table I was at in my local cafe.
I said “yes” of course as that’s the norm here. But I added, “Just make sure your conversation is interesting to listen to.”
They said, “I hope you don’t speak French.”
I responded in fluent French.
They found a table outside. True.
I said “yes” of course as that’s the norm here. But I added, “Just make sure your conversation is interesting to listen to.”
They said, “I hope you don’t speak French.”
I responded in fluent French.
They found a table outside. True.
December 11, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Two ladies asked to share the table I was at in my local cafe.
I said “yes” of course as that’s the norm here. But I added, “Just make sure your conversation is interesting to listen to.”
They said, “I hope you don’t speak French.”
I responded in fluent French.
They found a table outside. True.
I said “yes” of course as that’s the norm here. But I added, “Just make sure your conversation is interesting to listen to.”
They said, “I hope you don’t speak French.”
I responded in fluent French.
They found a table outside. True.
Reposted by Emily Hugan
...a vacancy that partially occurred because Chicago does not #PlowTheSidewalks
December 9, 2025 at 8:43 PM
...a vacancy that partially occurred because Chicago does not #PlowTheSidewalks
Go out and plow your neighborhood sidewalks and bus stops today
December 7, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Go out and plow your neighborhood sidewalks and bus stops today
didn't realize you could die from getting out of your car oh how can that be
Ruben Lujano and two other men — good friends Daekwon Cunningham and Martese J. Williams — died together this week after stepping out of their cars following an accident on I-57 in West Pullman.
Families mourn 3 Good Samaritans who died checking on each other after I-57 crash
chicago.suntimes.com
December 6, 2025 at 2:49 AM
didn't realize you could die from getting out of your car oh how can that be
Reposted by Emily Hugan
Reposted by Emily Hugan
Every time you post a mean tweet about this station they add another elevator to the design
December 4, 2025 at 11:47 PM
Every time you post a mean tweet about this station they add another elevator to the design
my worst trait is my packing ability
December 4, 2025 at 8:01 PM
my worst trait is my packing ability
Reposted by Emily Hugan
notice how she didn't say cyclists
December 4, 2025 at 7:12 PM
notice how she didn't say cyclists
Reposted by Emily Hugan
Mayor Brandon Johnson appoints Reverend Ebenezer Scrooge as Christmas Czar for the Chicago Department of Christmas Spirit. Starting pay is $300,000.
December 2, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Mayor Brandon Johnson appoints Reverend Ebenezer Scrooge as Christmas Czar for the Chicago Department of Christmas Spirit. Starting pay is $300,000.
His presence is going to get hundreds of more bike riders mark my words
Very happy to learn Igor of Igor Does My Bike’s fame has snatched up that lakefront trail bike hut off the Waveland underpass.
December 2, 2025 at 3:10 PM
His presence is going to get hundreds of more bike riders mark my words
Reposted by Emily Hugan
Very happy to learn Igor of Igor Does My Bike’s fame has snatched up that lakefront trail bike hut off the Waveland underpass.
December 2, 2025 at 5:16 AM
Very happy to learn Igor of Igor Does My Bike’s fame has snatched up that lakefront trail bike hut off the Waveland underpass.
Reposted by Emily Hugan
If “Protecting Chicago” looks like:
❌Defunding CDPH
❌Defunding CPL
❌Defunding Complete Streets
❌Defunding Vision Zero
✅Ballooning CPD
Then who exactly are we protecting?
❌Defunding CDPH
❌Defunding CPL
❌Defunding Complete Streets
❌Defunding Vision Zero
✅Ballooning CPD
Then who exactly are we protecting?
December 2, 2025 at 2:32 PM
If “Protecting Chicago” looks like:
❌Defunding CDPH
❌Defunding CPL
❌Defunding Complete Streets
❌Defunding Vision Zero
✅Ballooning CPD
Then who exactly are we protecting?
❌Defunding CDPH
❌Defunding CPL
❌Defunding Complete Streets
❌Defunding Vision Zero
✅Ballooning CPD
Then who exactly are we protecting?
Reposted by Emily Hugan
BREAKING: Mayor Brandon Johnston institutes 1000 person capacity, replacing the former 5000 person capacity at the Montrose Bird Sanctuary.
Visiting Snowy Owls from the Arctic will be holding a press conference later today as oohs and aaahs are down over 40%
Visiting Snowy Owls from the Arctic will be holding a press conference later today as oohs and aaahs are down over 40%
November 30, 2025 at 5:58 PM
BREAKING: Mayor Brandon Johnston institutes 1000 person capacity, replacing the former 5000 person capacity at the Montrose Bird Sanctuary.
Visiting Snowy Owls from the Arctic will be holding a press conference later today as oohs and aaahs are down over 40%
Visiting Snowy Owls from the Arctic will be holding a press conference later today as oohs and aaahs are down over 40%
Reposted by Emily Hugan
Looking west from a southbound Red Line train pulling into Lawrence
November 29, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Looking west from a southbound Red Line train pulling into Lawrence
Reposted by Emily Hugan
Eternal Silence in the snow, this morning at Graceland Cemetery
November 29, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Eternal Silence in the snow, this morning at Graceland Cemetery
Reposted by Emily Hugan
Chicago courtyard apartments always winning
November 29, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Chicago courtyard apartments always winning
fuck off
In September someone who lives across the street told me about the potential demolition. It will be a side yard for the brand-new home next door. The irony is that 2219 was owned by Ray Capitanini (who died in April), a longtime supporter of Preservation Chicago. His parents started Italian Village.
November 26, 2025 at 11:22 PM
fuck off
Took the Collier Area Transit (CAT!) today for the second time ever in my hometown and honestly it's very underrated. Service is abysmal (1 bus every 55ish mins), but gosh darn did it arrive almost exactly when it said it would. Wide spacing of stops made it a very short ride. Will take again.
November 26, 2025 at 3:31 AM
Took the Collier Area Transit (CAT!) today for the second time ever in my hometown and honestly it's very underrated. Service is abysmal (1 bus every 55ish mins), but gosh darn did it arrive almost exactly when it said it would. Wide spacing of stops made it a very short ride. Will take again.
So did the awards group send genetic tests to every single person they considered for this?
November 19, 2025 at 4:52 PM
So did the awards group send genetic tests to every single person they considered for this?
Reposted by Emily Hugan
New video out now! IDOT & CDOT seriously missed the mark with Redefine the Drive. Here’s how we can do better
youtu.be/aspdaCREwWI?...
youtu.be/aspdaCREwWI?...
What if Chicago's Lakefront Had Less Cars?
YouTube video by Car Free Keith
youtu.be
November 15, 2025 at 5:07 PM
New video out now! IDOT & CDOT seriously missed the mark with Redefine the Drive. Here’s how we can do better
youtu.be/aspdaCREwWI?...
youtu.be/aspdaCREwWI?...
Reposted by Emily Hugan
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed 4 years ago. In new research @urbaninstitute.bsky.social we study its effects.
US transport spending increased by 30%, but:
—Funding for non-highway projects flatlined
—Construction cost increases resulted in no actual increase in infrastructure
US transport spending increased by 30%, but:
—Funding for non-highway projects flatlined
—Construction cost increases resulted in no actual increase in infrastructure
Federal Infrastructure Spending on Transportation, Four Years after the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is up for reauthorization in 2026. New analysis shows that the act increased spending on transportation infrastructure, but…
www.urban.org
November 12, 2025 at 5:32 PM
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed 4 years ago. In new research @urbaninstitute.bsky.social we study its effects.
US transport spending increased by 30%, but:
—Funding for non-highway projects flatlined
—Construction cost increases resulted in no actual increase in infrastructure
US transport spending increased by 30%, but:
—Funding for non-highway projects flatlined
—Construction cost increases resulted in no actual increase in infrastructure
Reposted by Emily Hugan
“Chicago is where I was born and raised. And honestly, biking just makes me feel at peace. I'm usually not the most calm person - when I'm biking though, my mind is centered. I can pay attention to my surroundings. It's kind of like a meditation for me.” 🧵
November 10, 2025 at 1:56 PM
“Chicago is where I was born and raised. And honestly, biking just makes me feel at peace. I'm usually not the most calm person - when I'm biking though, my mind is centered. I can pay attention to my surroundings. It's kind of like a meditation for me.” 🧵
Reposted by Emily Hugan
“because there's a lot of stuff I can see with a bike. And you don’t have to rely on trains or a car. And biking down Lake Shore Drive, it is incredible to smell the lake, especially early in the morning. There's not much traffic, you smell the lake, and you can see a nice sunset, all of that.”
November 10, 2025 at 1:56 PM
“because there's a lot of stuff I can see with a bike. And you don’t have to rely on trains or a car. And biking down Lake Shore Drive, it is incredible to smell the lake, especially early in the morning. There's not much traffic, you smell the lake, and you can see a nice sunset, all of that.”