Matt McCabe
@mmccabe.bsky.social
Working to make things more equitable, peaceful & humane. Nonprofit leader, Prev: AmeriCorps member & teacher, ed leader, Booth MBA Civic Scholar, Obama campaign + appointee.
Usually posting about Chicago education, safe streets / bikes, or #Sixers
Usually posting about Chicago education, safe streets / bikes, or #Sixers
Reposted by Matt McCabe
Can’t build higher than four floors because “think of the traffic!” but adding 368 more cars to Wrigleyville 81 times a year gets rubber-stamped without a second thought, okay
A planned development to build 368 parking spaces in my neighborhood because the Cubs did a survey and suburban drivers complained about lack of parking.
Fuck you, it’s our neighborhood.
www.44thward.org/resources/wr...
Fuck you, it’s our neighborhood.
www.44thward.org/resources/wr...
Camry Lot – Planned Development Amendment Proposal
www.44thward.org
February 14, 2026 at 2:33 AM
Can’t build higher than four floors because “think of the traffic!” but adding 368 more cars to Wrigleyville 81 times a year gets rubber-stamped without a second thought, okay
Reposted by Matt McCabe
It'd be incredibly easy to do this in the suburbs, no AI required: the vast majority of suburban traffic signals have pre-emption devices triggered by strobes on police and fire vehicles, including ambulances. Throw an infrared strobe on the front of every Pace bus and give them the green every time
Transit signal priority--the potential: "The city of San José, California, increased transit bus speeds 20% on 24 routes citywide using AI-powered transit signal prioritization." System provided by #Lyt. #TSP www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/san-jos...
How one city increased transit bus speeds by 20%
San José, California, employs AI traffic signaling to favor buses, helping keep them on schedule.
www.smartcitiesdive.com
February 13, 2026 at 4:36 PM
It'd be incredibly easy to do this in the suburbs, no AI required: the vast majority of suburban traffic signals have pre-emption devices triggered by strobes on police and fire vehicles, including ambulances. Throw an infrared strobe on the front of every Pace bus and give them the green every time
Chicago school board parts ways with search firm tasked with finding new CEO buff.ly/BeXrlHn
What an incredible mess. Insane that MBJ tried to force the district to take a high-interest short-term loan (and failed). Insane that MBJ pushed Pedro Martinez out (because he wouldn't take out the loan)
What an incredible mess. Insane that MBJ tried to force the district to take a high-interest short-term loan (and failed). Insane that MBJ pushed Pedro Martinez out (because he wouldn't take out the loan)
Chicago school board parts ways with search firm tasked with finding new CEO
Six elected members of the board blasted the firm's departure, blaming the mayor’s office and his allies for mucking up the process.
www.chalkbeat.org
February 13, 2026 at 5:46 PM
Chicago school board parts ways with search firm tasked with finding new CEO buff.ly/BeXrlHn
What an incredible mess. Insane that MBJ tried to force the district to take a high-interest short-term loan (and failed). Insane that MBJ pushed Pedro Martinez out (because he wouldn't take out the loan)
What an incredible mess. Insane that MBJ tried to force the district to take a high-interest short-term loan (and failed). Insane that MBJ pushed Pedro Martinez out (because he wouldn't take out the loan)
Reposted by Matt McCabe
Reposted by Matt McCabe
Cycle infrastructure in the Netherlands.
The cycleway continues across the side road, clearly signalling that drivers must give way. At the roundabout, both the cycleway and pedestrian crossings have priority, so motorists yield again.
Simple design, clear rules, safer streets.
The cycleway continues across the side road, clearly signalling that drivers must give way. At the roundabout, both the cycleway and pedestrian crossings have priority, so motorists yield again.
Simple design, clear rules, safer streets.
February 11, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Cycle infrastructure in the Netherlands.
The cycleway continues across the side road, clearly signalling that drivers must give way. At the roundabout, both the cycleway and pedestrian crossings have priority, so motorists yield again.
Simple design, clear rules, safer streets.
The cycleway continues across the side road, clearly signalling that drivers must give way. At the roundabout, both the cycleway and pedestrian crossings have priority, so motorists yield again.
Simple design, clear rules, safer streets.
Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac on five years at Wrexham: ‘We’ve just got started’
Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac on five years at Wrexham: ‘We’ve just got started’
The co-owners reflected on their five years in charge of Wrexham — and the importance of building a sustainable future
buff.ly
February 10, 2026 at 2:42 PM
Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac on five years at Wrexham: ‘We’ve just got started’
This is the historical Archer Ave performance that some would like to preserve. In the last 10 years...
+ 8200 crashes
+ 2200 hit and run
+ 1500 injuries
+ 9 fatalities.
They want you to believe better isn't possible, or that this is a wedge issue. It's not.
Safer streets now.
+ 8200 crashes
+ 2200 hit and run
+ 1500 injuries
+ 9 fatalities.
They want you to believe better isn't possible, or that this is a wedge issue. It's not.
Safer streets now.
February 9, 2026 at 10:18 PM
This is the historical Archer Ave performance that some would like to preserve. In the last 10 years...
+ 8200 crashes
+ 2200 hit and run
+ 1500 injuries
+ 9 fatalities.
They want you to believe better isn't possible, or that this is a wedge issue. It's not.
Safer streets now.
+ 8200 crashes
+ 2200 hit and run
+ 1500 injuries
+ 9 fatalities.
They want you to believe better isn't possible, or that this is a wedge issue. It's not.
Safer streets now.
Only been able to watch for a minute but so far the responses from CDOT during this committee hearing are so underwhelming. www.chicityclerk.com/committee-pe...
This is an opportunity to educate and inform Alds when you have their attention answering their questions about parking.
This is an opportunity to educate and inform Alds when you have their attention answering their questions about parking.
Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety | Office of the City Clerk
www.chicityclerk.com
February 9, 2026 at 8:55 PM
Only been able to watch for a minute but so far the responses from CDOT during this committee hearing are so underwhelming. www.chicityclerk.com/committee-pe...
This is an opportunity to educate and inform Alds when you have their attention answering their questions about parking.
This is an opportunity to educate and inform Alds when you have their attention answering their questions about parking.
Reposted by Matt McCabe
Zero input from the biggest city in the state on a *high speed rail plan* because @brandon4chicago.bsky.social is incapable of appointing leaders, much less good ones.
IL High Speed Rail Commission will finalize its final report to the legislature by July without the input from Chicago. The city is not officially involved in the commission because the appointed seat for the city on the board is vacant and can only be appointed by the Mayor's Office.
February 8, 2026 at 6:51 PM
Zero input from the biggest city in the state on a *high speed rail plan* because @brandon4chicago.bsky.social is incapable of appointing leaders, much less good ones.
Reposted by Matt McCabe
Kansas City, 1929. Assertions to the effect that “people preferred to drive” are guesses in the guise of explanations.
In cities a minority of motorists degraded streetcar service for the majority. KCPSC: “Practically the only cause of delay ... is ... motorists who block [streetcars’] progress.”
In cities a minority of motorists degraded streetcar service for the majority. KCPSC: “Practically the only cause of delay ... is ... motorists who block [streetcars’] progress.”
February 7, 2026 at 1:46 PM
Kansas City, 1929. Assertions to the effect that “people preferred to drive” are guesses in the guise of explanations.
In cities a minority of motorists degraded streetcar service for the majority. KCPSC: “Practically the only cause of delay ... is ... motorists who block [streetcars’] progress.”
In cities a minority of motorists degraded streetcar service for the majority. KCPSC: “Practically the only cause of delay ... is ... motorists who block [streetcars’] progress.”
How The Great Migration — And Segregation — Built The South Side's Black-Owned Lounge Culture buff.ly/2jcfkPZ
Great read and awesome pictures
Great read and awesome pictures
How The Great Migration — And Segregation — Built The South Side's Black-Owned Lounge Culture
For more than a century, cocktail lounges — distinct from dive bars and nightclubs — have served as essential gathering places for Black Chicagoans.
blockclubchi.co
February 6, 2026 at 3:13 PM
How The Great Migration — And Segregation — Built The South Side's Black-Owned Lounge Culture buff.ly/2jcfkPZ
Great read and awesome pictures
Great read and awesome pictures
Reposted by Matt McCabe
Custom specials for happy/rush hour at the bar near the Belmont Blue Line:
- The “Bus Tracker” is six ounces of Old Style and a shot for $4
- The “Ghost Bus” is the N/A equivalent, also $4.
- The “Bus Tracker” is six ounces of Old Style and a shot for $4
- The “Ghost Bus” is the N/A equivalent, also $4.
The Belmont Tavern Returns
Longtime barman Nick Kokonas has revived the historic space, which has sat empty for 25 years.
www.chicagomag.com
February 5, 2026 at 1:21 AM
Custom specials for happy/rush hour at the bar near the Belmont Blue Line:
- The “Bus Tracker” is six ounces of Old Style and a shot for $4
- The “Ghost Bus” is the N/A equivalent, also $4.
- The “Bus Tracker” is six ounces of Old Style and a shot for $4
- The “Ghost Bus” is the N/A equivalent, also $4.
All three kids on the bike, blinky lights all over, ringing our large bell, but still nearly got right-hooked again at the Palmer Square racetrack by a woman who sped up, without a turn signal, cell phone in hand trying to hit 40mph on the curve.
February 3, 2026 at 11:53 PM
All three kids on the bike, blinky lights all over, ringing our large bell, but still nearly got right-hooked again at the Palmer Square racetrack by a woman who sped up, without a turn signal, cell phone in hand trying to hit 40mph on the curve.
For $36/year not only do *I* not have to shovel the sidewalk but that means *everywhere* I'd walk in the entire city would be shoveled too??
Feels like a deal to me...
Feels like a deal to me...
Largest city in country that plows residential sidewalks is Rochester NY (200k people, fee added to annual property tax). They use private contractors to do it.
February 3, 2026 at 12:21 AM
For $36/year not only do *I* not have to shovel the sidewalk but that means *everywhere* I'd walk in the entire city would be shoveled too??
Feels like a deal to me...
Feels like a deal to me...
Chicago population to 4.7 million or bust!
The entire cities of Amsterdam (red), Paris (blue), and Barcelona (purple) can fit inside Chicago.
All borders use the same geographic scale (1:175000). The European cities have been rotated and/or flipped, but not resized.
All borders use the same geographic scale (1:175000). The European cities have been rotated and/or flipped, but not resized.
February 2, 2026 at 10:02 PM
Chicago population to 4.7 million or bust!
Reposted by Matt McCabe
Because zoning is de facto controlled by the local alderperson, it's almost impossible to proactively upzone areas close to the 'L' when the ward map looks like this ⬇️.
State preemption is basically our only hope, and I hope the legislature picks that back up this session. We came close last year.
State preemption is basically our only hope, and I hope the legislature picks that back up this session. We came close last year.
February 2, 2026 at 4:55 PM
Because zoning is de facto controlled by the local alderperson, it's almost impossible to proactively upzone areas close to the 'L' when the ward map looks like this ⬇️.
State preemption is basically our only hope, and I hope the legislature picks that back up this session. We came close last year.
State preemption is basically our only hope, and I hope the legislature picks that back up this session. We came close last year.
Reposted by Matt McCabe
coming soon to @chicagocityscape.com: this chart showing new construction homes permitted per ward per year
the * asterisk indicates that the ward saw fewer than 100 homes in the 8-year period shown
the * asterisk indicates that the ward saw fewer than 100 homes in the 8-year period shown
January 31, 2026 at 9:33 PM
coming soon to @chicagocityscape.com: this chart showing new construction homes permitted per ward per year
the * asterisk indicates that the ward saw fewer than 100 homes in the 8-year period shown
the * asterisk indicates that the ward saw fewer than 100 homes in the 8-year period shown
Does…. This duck the tax? 😩😭
The 25-game suspension means PG won't be eligible to return until the final 10 games of the season. Tough blow for a Sixers team that seemed to be finding its footing with George and Embiid productive again.
Paul George has been suspended 25 games for violating the NBA's drug policy, league announces.
January 31, 2026 at 4:52 PM
Does…. This duck the tax? 😩😭
When asked what the record meant to her, she thought for a moment and said, “It’s never too late to begin to make yourself stronger.”
Loss, Grief and a World Record Attempt at 81
Facing life on her own for the first time in 60 years, Bonnie Sumner discovered she had a special skill for hanging from a pull-up bar.
buff.ly
January 30, 2026 at 11:26 PM
When asked what the record meant to her, she thought for a moment and said, “It’s never too late to begin to make yourself stronger.”
What would Chicago look and feel like if there were 150,000,000 more L rides taken this year than last? A lot like 2019!
Feel like that would = a more vibrant, connected, energetic city, no?
Feel like that would = a more vibrant, connected, energetic city, no?
The rate of growth slowed down considerably last year.
For rail, the O'Hare branch was the only line making big YoY gains.
For rail, the O'Hare branch was the only line making big YoY gains.
January 30, 2026 at 10:30 PM
What would Chicago look and feel like if there were 150,000,000 more L rides taken this year than last? A lot like 2019!
Feel like that would = a more vibrant, connected, energetic city, no?
Feel like that would = a more vibrant, connected, energetic city, no?
Reposted by Matt McCabe
Wild that there was an open lane called "what if we just explain things clearly to people?" and he's the first one to ever fill it
The City’s Budget is our future. And you deserve to know how it works.
January 30, 2026 at 4:09 PM
Wild that there was an open lane called "what if we just explain things clearly to people?" and he's the first one to ever fill it
“New state initiative aims for e-bike regulation, safety education”
Assuming it keeps things as-is for existing class 1,2,3 e-bikes I think this is net positive? I think we need better terms of art for each class though to paint a picture for non riders. Eg Class 1 are “grandma pedal e-bikes”
Assuming it keeps things as-is for existing class 1,2,3 e-bikes I think this is net positive? I think we need better terms of art for each class though to paint a picture for non riders. Eg Class 1 are “grandma pedal e-bikes”
New state initiative aims for e-bike regulation, safety education
The initiative, called "Ride Safe, Ride Smart, Ride Ready," seeks to expand safety education and address Illinois' archaic bike laws, which currently don't address some of the fastest e-bikes.
buff.ly
January 30, 2026 at 5:00 PM
“New state initiative aims for e-bike regulation, safety education”
Assuming it keeps things as-is for existing class 1,2,3 e-bikes I think this is net positive? I think we need better terms of art for each class though to paint a picture for non riders. Eg Class 1 are “grandma pedal e-bikes”
Assuming it keeps things as-is for existing class 1,2,3 e-bikes I think this is net positive? I think we need better terms of art for each class though to paint a picture for non riders. Eg Class 1 are “grandma pedal e-bikes”
Reposted by Matt McCabe
Pavement color differentiation is key to safer infrastructure design. When it looks like car infrastructure, dark asphalt, it will be treated like car infrastructure.
Color differentiation breaks up the grey. It commands attention and makes clear the modalities. The best design is the most obvious.
Color differentiation breaks up the grey. It commands attention and makes clear the modalities. The best design is the most obvious.
Scheme not yet complete, red top and some lining still to go on, but I cannot express strongly enough how much easier and safer this route feels compared to how it was before!
January 30, 2026 at 3:36 PM
Pavement color differentiation is key to safer infrastructure design. When it looks like car infrastructure, dark asphalt, it will be treated like car infrastructure.
Color differentiation breaks up the grey. It commands attention and makes clear the modalities. The best design is the most obvious.
Color differentiation breaks up the grey. It commands attention and makes clear the modalities. The best design is the most obvious.
Reposted by Matt McCabe
You don’t know your role yet maybe, but we are all finding out just what we have to offer.
In Minneapolis, one man knew immediately what he could offer and said “Bring me your clothing”.
In Minneapolis, one man knew immediately what he could offer and said “Bring me your clothing”.
January 23, 2026 at 2:57 AM
You don’t know your role yet maybe, but we are all finding out just what we have to offer.
In Minneapolis, one man knew immediately what he could offer and said “Bring me your clothing”.
In Minneapolis, one man knew immediately what he could offer and said “Bring me your clothing”.