We got two more benches put in! (Well, technically they were already there, but they were “ghost benches” on the wrong side of the street) Big thanks to @aldermanlaspata.bsky.social and team for getting this done so quickly!
NWNA Chicago
@nwnachicago.org
We’re the Northwest Neighborhood Alliance of Chicago - a group of neighbors advocating for housing, transit, and safe streets in northwest Chicago! Representing West Town, Logan Square, and Humboldt Park linktr.ee/nwnachicago
This Saturday, come voice your support for this trail extension along the North Branch Chicago River between Belmont and Diversey.
This is why blocking the bike lane, even partially puts us in danger.
Have you ever been waiting for the bus and noticed that there’s a bus bench on the wrong side of the street? We’re putting together a plan to get these benches moved back to where the bus stops are. To do that, we need your help!
Am I happy being screamed at by a homeless man? No, not really. Am I happy that he was using the bench we built? Absolutely.
Join us tonight for a winter biking class!
Chicago, Bike Grid Now!@bikegridnow.org · last mo.Winter will be here before you want it. Get you and your bike ready for cold weather season before it hits. BGN will teach you about layering, winter maintenance, assessing road conditions, making bail-out plans, and when it's unsafe. 📍 Beermiscuous, 2812 N Lincoln ⏰ Wed 10/21 6pm
Earlier this month, we built two more benches to be deployed at Humboldt Park bus stops - and this Saturday, we’re painting them! Come help out 🎨 (no artistic ability required I promise) link.nwnachicago.org/paintday
RSVP to Bench Paint Day | Partiful
Create party invitations online for any event. Design custom invites in seconds, and send invites instantly with our free invitation maker!
link.nwnachicago.org
At some point, Chicago urbanists are going to have to reckon with the fact that housing advocacy groups are endorsing anti-bike alders and bike advocacy groups are endorsing anti-housing alders. Right now we take every victory we can get. But what happens when these forces fight each other?
A 73% cut in fare evasion that doesn't require more cops at a station is a success story that Chicago should learn from
Spectrum News NY1@spectrumnewsny1.bsky.social · last mo.The gates have saloon-style doors, and use sensors and cameras to detect whether someone has paid. They also are designed to close after a person walks through without injuring them. Read more: http://specne.ws/HyYe6V
Zap!
MTA B44 SBS Bus Lane Enforcement Cameras
ALT: MTA B44 SBS Bus Lane Enforcement Cameras
static.klipy.com
Alder Andre Vasquez, Political Account@andrefor40th.bsky.social · 2mo agoToday, I, along with @daniellaspata.bsky.social and an overwhelming number of our colleagues, introduced the expansion of the Smart Streets pilot! When this passes, the map with be citywide, and it will be an ongoing program, not a pilot! We will also partner with the Mayor’s office to budget it out
Sounds like Rogers Park is in need of a bench building squad 😎
Streetsblog Chicago@chi.streetsblog.org · 2mo ago@suntimes.bsky.social LTTE: "Bravo to Sam Kovnar and Eddie Lehwald of the @nwnachicago.org for facilitating some return to sanity and hospitality in reinstalling seating at city bus stops." chicago.suntimes.com/letters-to-t...
At the request of Juan's family, please join us for a ghost bike installation & vigil this Saturday at the crash site. Juan Martin Márquez was killed biking to work last Monday by a hit and run, & the driver who is still at large.
Housing supply and tenant's rights go together like Old Style and Malört. The best housing policy out right now is BUILD. The best tenants rights policy out right now is mostly PRO. Aldermen and the Mayor should push both.
Reminder! We have our September meetup this Thursday (9/24) at 6pm at Easy Does It. We’ve got a lot to talk about, from benches to the Green Line to housing. Come meet your neighbors! RSVP at link.nwnachicago.org/september!
RSVP to NWNA September Meetup | Partiful
We’ll be talking about benches, Western Green Line station, housing in the 26th Ward, and more!
link.nwnachicago.org
Several people praised the Northwest Neighborhood Alliance online for building the benches in an online post. But the group is waiting to build more until the city makes the next move. Technically, the benches are illegal.
This group is building benches at bus stops that don't have one. Will the city let them?
chicago.suntimes.com
Update: This morning Ald. Walter Red Burnett sent us a detailed message stating that's he's actually strongly in favor of a Western Green Line station, and other new transit stops in his ward, and provided actions he has taken to make them happen. Update added: chi.streetsblog.org/2026/09/11/i...
Guest post by Sam Kovnar, founder of the Northwest Neighborhood Alliance: "It’s time to build the Western Avenue Green Line Station." @chicagocta.bsky.social @activetransportation.org @betterstreetschicago.org @andrefor40th.bsky.social @yonahfreemark.com
It’s time to build the Western Avenue Green Line Station - Streetsblog Chicago
chi.streetsblog.org
Ever wondered why there’s no Western Avenue Green Line station? Us too! Today, the Northwest Neighborhood Alliance is officially launching a petition to urge CDOT and the 27th Ward to build a Green Line station at Western Avenue. link.nwnachicago.org/westerngreenline
Tell Alderman Burnett that you support a Green Line station at Western Avenue!
The lack of a Green Line station at Western Avenue is a critical gap in Chicago's transit system. Help us convince Alderman Burnett to fight for the construction of this station!
link.nwnachicago.org
This week, we put out two benches at bus stops in the neighborhood. A place to sit should be the bare minimum for a bus stop, and yet it often costs the city thousands of dollars and months of paperwork to put in a bench.
🚨 Housing alert! Potential housing adaptive reuse at 3601 W Cortland. More details hopefully pending. When: Thursday, September 3rd, 6pm-7:30pm Where: TBD RSVP: bit.ly/zoning3601
Everyone deserves a place to sit. Help us finish up these benches and get them out into the world! Many hands make light work 🙌 Saturday, September 5th, @ 1pm RSVP at link.nwnachicago.org/benchday No painting expertise needed!
Toxic masculinity is accepting that you’d rather get run over by a car than inconvenience somebody
Christopher Owen@oysta.au · 3mo agofound another new type of guy
🚨 HOUSING ALERT in the 26th Ward tonight to discuss a 38-unit development at 3208-3216 W Armitage Ave When: Today, August 20th, 6pm-7:30pm Where: Mozart Park Fieldhouse, 2036 N Avers Ave
🚨 CDOT will be presenting plans & answering questions on a series of pedestrian improvements along Chicago Ave between Ashland and California at a town hall on Mon., Aug. 17, at 6PM at the Ukrainian Cultural Center. Residents are invited to attend and learn more about the project!
Hearing that this incredible proposal could be in jeopardy due to deference to local NIMBYs. Please overwhelm zoning@the1stward.com with your support.
Michael McLean@michaelmclean.me · 3mo ago2758 N. Mozart St - under review by @daniellaspata.bsky.social If you are a 1st ward resident, please send a note of support to zoning@the1stward.com blockclubchicago.org/2026/07/14/4...
2758 N. Mozart St - under review by @daniellaspata.bsky.social If you are a 1st ward resident, please send a note of support to zoning@the1stward.com blockclubchicago.org/2026/07/14/4...
Build a Western Avenue Green Line station next!
Governor JB Pritzker@govpritzker.illinois.gov · 3mo agoRail line by rail line, station by station, Illinois is building a safe, reliable, and accessible transit system our people deserve. We're celebrating the Austin Green Line Station's improvements today, 125 years after opening. A victory for accessibility and equity for all.
Not our usual content, but these kinds of laws are really bad for digital privacy. JB and other Democrats are making a big mistake here. @eff.org has tons of literature about why these kinds of bills are actually about surveillance, not protecting kids.
Governor JB Pritzker@govpritzker.illinois.gov · 3mo agoIllinois is saying enough is enough to Big Tech. We are making it clear that we will not stand idly by while our children's attention, privacy, and mental health are bought and sold. Today, I’ve signed the Children’s Online Social Media Safety Act into law to protect our kids.
