Now is a good time to play Bike Angels

You can’t solve a housing shortage by saying “no” to housing. We need to build more homes, protect renters, and make sure the 32nd Ward is a place where people can afford to put down roots and families can grow. My thoughts on housing and affordability: www.patrickfor32.com/news-updates...

A Progressive, Pro-Housing Agenda - Patrick Gilsenan for 32nd Ward

Housing affordability has become one of the defining challenges facing Chicago. Rents continue to rise, homeownership is increasingly out of reach for working families, and too many people are being f...

patrickfor32.com

IL democrats have quietly declared that they don’t want to compete with red states in terms of national influence and economic growth. But at least we preserved local control and made the IML happy.

I'm glad Crain's published this op-ed about four uninspired and backwards proposals for underused land near nodes in Chicago's transit network. By @abundanthousingil.bsky.social members and others. 🎁 www.chicagobusiness.com/opinion/comm...

I got a request to add South Shore Line to the #BuildTheTunnel trip planner, so that's done. stevevance.github.io/buildthetunn...

joymaxxing journal july 2026 deep fried edition #MidnightSun

"Agents said they don’t see the bidding wars ending soon, as the lack of new inventory remains an issue." www.wbez.org/housing/2026...

Abundant Housing Illinois@abundanthousingil.bsky.social · yesterday

"Some agents are even encouraging clients to shop for homes in a lower price range so they can bid significantly more than than its list price. Buyers will also offer to pay in cash, waive inspections or cover the property’s appraisal gap, if applicable, according to McKenna."

With resignations from the CFO and Budget Director preceding this budget cycle, it's even more important to ensure both the Mayor's budget proposal *and* any alternative proposals receive adequate scrutiny. We can't afford another deficit budget with inadequate, short-term plans.

Patrick Gilsenan for 32nd Ward@patgilsenan.bsky.social · 2w ago

My thoughts on Chicago's budget crisis and the $90M shortfall resulting from the last budget: www.patrickfor32.com/news-updates...

Chicago is using geofencing to keep e-scooter riders from injuring pedestrians on Sheridan Road. What are we doing to prevent drivers from killing them?

Chicago is using geofencing to keep e-scooter riders from injuring pedestrians on Sheridan Road. What are we doing to prevent drivers from killing them? - Streetsblog Chicago

chi.streetsblog.org

A fond goodbye to my Avondale apartment, which breaks every part of its RS-3 zoning and could never be built today ❌ 12 units (2 unit max) ❌ 40 ft tall (30 ft max) ❌ 260 sq ft lot area/unit (2,500 min) ❌ 0 ft rear setback (35 ft min) And way above the 0.9 floor-area ratio cap

the next concreach day we’re doing whatever this is

Protect Bridgeport Bicyclists@stevevance.net · 2d ago

I’m doing my part to get more people to the lake!

It’s both true that there are a lot of inefficiencies, and that they manifest in money, time, and quality of services; and that it’s not really the case that there’s a big meaningful chunk of the budget that can just be cut without affecting services.

The full interview is very interesting In addition to the substance of Alexi’s platform, Fran asks, how do you ensure people don’t think you’re a dumb jock? (As Mendoza had apparently said Chicago needs a mayor with an IQ higher than body temperature.)

Protect Bridgeport Bicyclists@stevevance.net · 3d ago

Alexi Giannoulias talks about adopting #singlestair and pre-approved housing designs

Hundreds more riverfront homes coming soon www.flickr.com/photos/james...

Zara Larsson was here www.flickr.com/photos/james... creativecommons.org/licenses/by-... live.staticflickr.com/65535/554380...

It’s funny sometimes when people ask me about new developments in Chicago Them: a gas station at W&A is being torn down. Do you know what’s replacing it? Me: I cannot find either a demolition permit or a pending or issued new construction permit so that’s odd.

Brought to you by city council being asleep at the wheel when it comes to housing policy — $2300/mo in Lakeview for a 1 bed is crazy — expect rents to be 7% higher by the time we have elections in February.

we're on pace to spend something like 5x the total public library budget on misconduct settlements alone. do we think that number will go up or down with 1,000 more officers? you cannot propose this kind of stuff and be taken seriously as a "fiscally responsible" candidate

4 Months Into the Year, Chicago Has Spent at Least $175.6M to Resolve Police Misconduct Lawsuits

The city’s 2026 budget set aside just $82.5 million for police misconduct settlements, and authorized officials to borrow an additional $283.3 million to cover the soaring cost of lawsuits alleging wr...

news.wttw.com

Alexi Giannoulias talks about adopting #singlestair and pre-approved housing designs

a woman shouting Robert Lewandowski’s name and some phrases in Polish for the whole game should have won Fan of the Match (not pictured)

Raheem is a cargo bike-riding dad running for 3rd Ward alderperson and his campaign launch is on Wednesday, August 5  •  6 PM - 9 PM

Kickoff Party: Raheem for Ward 3

Please join the Raheem for 3 campaign to help celebrate and kickoff Raheem Uqdah’s campaign for 3rd Ward Alderperson

eventbrite.com

get your tix to the big tent urbanism summer party at Pizza Lobo on 8/13/26

Big Tent Urbanist Network Summer Party

Join advocates and volunteers at Pizza Lobo in West Loop to celebrate Chicago's urbanist organizations and our accomplishments.

eventbrite.com

Assembly line modular houses under construction - a closer look at the rail and chassis www.flickr.com/photos/james...

Mars/Wrigley on Goose Island is replacing this open space with a 90% increase in surface parking City planners: no adverse impact detected

Which community areas are ahead in 2026 compared to their same period activity in 2025? > North Lawndale, by a lot 3x 2-to-4 flats permitted in 2025 through July 30 27 permitted in 2026 through July 30

Assembly line modular houses under construction (only one module shown) www.flickr.com/photos/james...

watching videos about Sydney trains as one does and this #trainracing scene comes in

if you have an inventory of ponchos a great place to sell them would be here

Build The Tunnel Trip Planner Stats - launched July 14 - 122 people opened the page - 62 people have planned 315 trips, of which 274 were successfully routed (some had errors, which I'm looking into)