Your Daily Guide

Chicago, a Traffic Town

Increased traffic around Goose Island is starting to feel like “the Wild West,” prompting calls for the city to step in. But Chicago is struggling with traffic issues citywide.

The Goose Island debacle: Bridge closures at Halsted Street and Chicago Avenue have created bottlenecks on Division Street and Elston Avenue. The completion of Kennedy construction has not eased the issue as hoped. Drivers are now using bike lanes to skirt traffic.

• Former CTA employee Cassidy F., who worked on Goose Island, told City Cast Chicago: “It was always about ten times faster to walk to the North Branch stop than to sit on the Division bus between Hooker and North Branch … but I had to time it so carefully!”

Ongoing bridge closures: In addition to the Chicago-Halsted Bridge work ending in late 2026, the Cortland Street bridge in Bucktown and Lake Street bridge downtown are closed until 2027 and 2028, respectively. In February, Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd) proposed an ordinance that would give City Council additional oversight on bridge maintenance plans.

• Also in February, Hopkins voted along with a majority of alders against an ordinance that would have allowed Chicagoans to report commercial vehicles blocking bike and bus lanes.

Bike line battles: Archer Avenue in Brighton Park is an extremely dangerous traffic thoroughfare, with over 1,400 injuries and 14 deaths occurring between 2019 and 2023. However, community back-and-forth continues over traffic revisions in the area. Last week, the city agreed to bring back 17 parking spots along the stretch.

• To combat infrastructure changes, bike lane opponent Claudia Zuno is now running a campaign to replace 12th Ward Alder Julia Ramirez.

By the numbers: According to a recent transportation study, Chicago faces the worst traffic congestion in the country, with drivers losing 112 hours per year in peak traffic. New York, which saw traffic decline following the rollout of congestion pricing, slipped to No. 2.

Potential relief? The U.S. The Department of Transportation has launched Freedom to Drive, aiming to reduce traffic. Gov. JB Pritzker has 60 days to identify the worst areas for Illinois drivers and begin planning improvements.

• At the same time, the Federal Transit Authority continues to threaten the CTA’s federal funds over security. (Naturally, increased CTA ridership eases regional traffic.)

Is Walgreens Abandoning Chicago?

The Walgreens in Chatham plans to close June 4, and residents are speaking out, with Ald. William Hall calling the decision "corporate abandonment.” Walgreens says the choice was due to theft and violent incidents at the location. Five other Walgreens closed on the South Side last year. [Block Club]

New Salsa Studio in Humboldt Park

After feeling the aftermath of ICE raids on Division Street, Austin Moulder quit his corporate job and dedicated himself to growing Studio E, a Latin social dance studio he started. He aims to make Studio E an accessible community space, where Latinidad is embraced. [Reader]

30th Annual Kilbourn Park Plant Sale Coming Up

For months, Chicago Park District officials have been growing 15,000 plants for an annual sale. As demand grows, organizers say 20% of the available supply this year is native plants. This year’s event is on Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free, and plants are $4. [Chicago Park District]

What Chicago Kids Want Grown-Ups to Know

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! In honor of the Carole Robertson Center for Learning’s 50th anniversary, we’re revisiting our conversation with teachers and students at their Albany Park site. They shared why after-school programs are critical to families — and Chicago kids told us what they want adults to know. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

On the Allure of Manny’s Deli

Gov. JB Pritzker recently sat down for a Q&A at Manny’s Deli — in the same feature, regular David Axelrod lauds the institution as a diverse gathering place. But is that really true? Back in March, the City Cast Chicago team discussed where we would go if we were politicians kissing babies. [POLITICO, City Cast Chicago 🎧]

• Pritzker's Manny’s order? Pastrami and matzo ball soup.