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@sidestreets.bsky.social

210 followers 330 following 670 posts

Radically pedestrian urban planning. Chicago-centric.

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sidestreets.bsky.social @sidestreets.bsky.social · Jun 16

If your budget ignores a multi-billion dollar loss in economic productivity due to underfunding transit, is it really balanced?

Governor JB Pritzker @govpritzker.illinois.gov · Jun 16

Today, I'm proud to sign our seventh balanced budget into law.

Our work builds on our progress to bring good jobs, economic opportunity, quality child care, modernized infrastructure, and job training for Illinoisans.

All while continuing our hard-earned fiscal responsibility.

Governor JB Pritzker and Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton joined House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch and budget leaders from each chamber to sign the FY26 state budget package.

sidestreets.bsky.social @sidestreets.bsky.social · 1d

Reposted

politicsofcars.bsky.social @politicsofcars.bsky.social · 2d

The only thing more vulnerable than a child while they are being hit by a driver in a three ton metal box, is a driver's ego if anybody questions their automotive rights.

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sidestreets.bsky.social @sidestreets.bsky.social · 2d

With a state-jurisdiction roadway shut off from cars, we can literally bring in an amusement park (and a house music festival).

In the distance, carnival rides. In the foreground, a sign reading “road closed, local traffic only”.

sidestreets.bsky.social @sidestreets.bsky.social · 3d

Someone tell @thedailynu.bsky.social to stop parroting bad-faith rug dealers. This isn’t an opinion section, you don’t get to let lies go to print.

Minasian said that he is also worried about the safety of drivers with the new bike lanes.
He said that from his shop, he sees emergency vehicles traveling down the road at high speeds. Typically, cars pull over to make room for these vehicles.
When the bike lanes are completed, they will have less room to do so, Minasian said.
"I don't have a problem with the bike lane, but I do have a problem with doing something that's unsafe for the city," Minasian said.

sidestreets.bsky.social @sidestreets.bsky.social · 3d

A pedestrian pink line under the @chicagocta.bsky.social pink line

A line of people in pink tshirts walk below the 18th St Pink Line station.

sidestreets.bsky.social @sidestreets.bsky.social · 4d

@starlinechicago.bsky.social would probably make a #ThankYouForRidingMetraToday

sidestreets.bsky.social @sidestreets.bsky.social · 4d

Is "the big bus stop signs that are made from sheet metal" a technical term?

Screenshot of 'Upcoming' Trello board for CTA's Rider Lab:

Help CTA understand what works
(and what doesn't) on the big bus
stop signs that are made from sheet
metal

Use new Ventra 3 cards to take your
normal trips and report bugs

sidestreets.bsky.social @sidestreets.bsky.social · 4d

Build public restrooms.

It’s a neater way to shit on local government.

Ron Filipkowski @ronfilipkowski.bsky.social · 5d

Kristi Noem is mad they wouldn’t let her in to use the restroom in Illinois today.

sidestreets.bsky.social @sidestreets.bsky.social · 5d

Not all streets even have sidewalks.

Which is something @aldconway.bsky.social should probably be more concerned about.

sidestreets.bsky.social @sidestreets.bsky.social · 5d

“It’s just a short detour.”

Two signs are ~15ft apart. One reads “Detour” with an arrow pointing to the other sign reading “End Detour”.

sidestreets.bsky.social @sidestreets.bsky.social · 5d

Bike Barbie

A Barbie doll in a pink dress, held by bungee cord to a cargo bike racks. A coordinated pink helmet also hangs off the back.

sidestreets.bsky.social @sidestreets.bsky.social · 5d

Also just for @transitdiagrams.bsky.social analysis:

Fake Staten Island got two subway connections, and the Manhattan-bound tunnel does even have an interchange station.

sidestreets.bsky.social @sidestreets.bsky.social · 5d

And somehow there is still no subway to the airport…

sidestreets.bsky.social @sidestreets.bsky.social · 5d

Spirit Halloween just copied from what Sec. Duffy wrote in his dream journal, I can only assume.

A fake subway route diagram for “spirit metro” seen at a spirit Halloween store. Clearly modeled off the NYC subway map, but with only five service patterns and no branching.

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sidestreets.bsky.social @sidestreets.bsky.social · 5d

If the restaurant's name doesn't have a number after it, you can't be sure their first attempt was successful. Go to [restaurant name] #3 to be safe.

Reposted

Kea Wilson @keawilson.bsky.social · 5d

@t4america.bsky.social has a list of the ~$500 million in projects that are under threat if this dirty resolution passes, if you want to look up if your community is one of them — and yes, this includes red districts.

[T4A] Grants cancelled/at risk of expiration - September 2025

docs.google.com

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sidestreets.bsky.social @sidestreets.bsky.social · 5d

It's pretty crazy to think that conductors used to stand between train cars (in all weather) on the elevated CTA tracks.

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sidestreets.bsky.social @sidestreets.bsky.social · 6d

Ooooooh let’s have a guess at the address first then.

sidestreets.bsky.social @sidestreets.bsky.social · 6d

New mural dropping

Still there x2

A person atop a roof takes a picture of a person paint a large mural from a cherrypicker, with the sear tower behind them and in the mural.

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sidestreets.bsky.social @sidestreets.bsky.social · 6d

From yesterday's 4000-series heritage run to celebrate the 78th birthday of @chicagocta.bsky.social

CTA celebrates its 78th birthday with a heritage run

YouTube video by Side Streets

youtu.be

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sidestreets.bsky.social @sidestreets.bsky.social · 6d

@starlinechicago.bsky.social do you know if this was ever a GIS map somewhere? Or did they tack on the NCS to a file from before 2006?

sidestreets.bsky.social @sidestreets.bsky.social · 6d

So does @illinoisdot.bsky.social think Metra still operates the Soo Line into Wisconsin?

I guess we traded Manhattan SWS for this second interstate service.

Section of rail/transit map in IDOT's MYP_FY2026-31, including a continuation of Metra's NCS line past Antioch and a termination of Metra's SWS before Manhattan.

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sidestreets.bsky.social @sidestreets.bsky.social · 6d

Looks pretty good @jessiefuentes.bsky.social !

Reposted

Eric Erins @ericerins.bsky.social · 7d

I can respect farming in theory but why do I have to pretend ethanol input farmers are feeding me

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sidestreets.bsky.social @sidestreets.bsky.social · 6d

How have you not been there before???