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
The Illinois EPA has four air quality monitoring stations in Chicago. Between them, the average AQI reading for PM2.5 in 2025 was 44.17. That equates to 8 µg/m³, which is 60% higher than the World Health Organization's recommended annual maximum. It's a slow-motion health crisis.
January 13, 2026 at 4:19 PM
The Illinois EPA has four air quality monitoring stations in Chicago. Between them, the average AQI reading for PM2.5 in 2025 was 44.17. That equates to 8 µg/m³, which is 60% higher than the World Health Organization's recommended annual maximum. It's a slow-motion health crisis.
Reposted by Matt McCabe
Divvy has higher ridership on these days than any bus route and many L lines
Combined Divvy + Lime exceeded 60K trips/day on dozens of summer Fridays & Saturdays in 2025, with two days topping 70K+!
Weekend peaks are where system limits show up fastest: full/empty stations & rebalancing pressure. That data is guiding where we add stations and bike parking in 2026.
Weekend peaks are where system limits show up fastest: full/empty stations & rebalancing pressure. That data is guiding where we add stations and bike parking in 2026.
January 12, 2026 at 5:35 PM
Divvy has higher ridership on these days than any bus route and many L lines
Reposted by Matt McCabe
The newly launched organization will offer research-backed guidance to Chicago school leaders and board members as they tackle the district’s thorniest issues, from budget deficits to struggling charter operators.
Chicago Education Alliance seeks to bring clarity to CPS’ toughest issues
www.wbez.org
January 11, 2026 at 3:46 PM
The newly launched organization will offer research-backed guidance to Chicago school leaders and board members as they tackle the district’s thorniest issues, from budget deficits to struggling charter operators.
Residential streets in Chicago when? No reason the residential streets couldn't or shouldn't look, feel and sound like this. Plenty of street parking for residents but absolutely no rat running drivers blowing stop signs trying to shave 1 min off their travel time by cutting through neighborhoods.
When you remove through motor traffic from residential streets, they don’t just become safer for walking and cycling - they become places to live. Neighbours add benches, sit outside, and the street becomes an extension of home.
This is what a healthy neighbourhood looks like.
This is what a healthy neighbourhood looks like.
January 8, 2026 at 11:12 PM
Residential streets in Chicago when? No reason the residential streets couldn't or shouldn't look, feel and sound like this. Plenty of street parking for residents but absolutely no rat running drivers blowing stop signs trying to shave 1 min off their travel time by cutting through neighborhoods.
#cargobike folks - what do you use for powerbanks for lights on your bike? Working on a more permanent light set up and would love something that I won't need to charge as often... Brand recs? Avoids?
January 8, 2026 at 5:56 PM
#cargobike folks - what do you use for powerbanks for lights on your bike? Working on a more permanent light set up and would love something that I won't need to charge as often... Brand recs? Avoids?
Reposted by Matt McCabe
For the second month in a row, Chicago had the fastest-rising home prices in the country, increasing 5.83% YoY.
We need to be doing everything we can to make it easier to build more homes, particularly missing middle housing, throughout Illinois. 🏘️
www.chicagobusiness.com/residential-...
We need to be doing everything we can to make it easier to build more homes, particularly missing middle housing, throughout Illinois. 🏘️
www.chicagobusiness.com/residential-...
Chicago-area home prices, fastest-rising in the U.S., are up higher than inflation
While nationwide home prices are rising more slowly than inflation, adding to their affordability, the opposite is true in Chicago, according to a closely watched index released today.
www.chicagobusiness.com
January 8, 2026 at 2:33 PM
For the second month in a row, Chicago had the fastest-rising home prices in the country, increasing 5.83% YoY.
We need to be doing everything we can to make it easier to build more homes, particularly missing middle housing, throughout Illinois. 🏘️
www.chicagobusiness.com/residential-...
We need to be doing everything we can to make it easier to build more homes, particularly missing middle housing, throughout Illinois. 🏘️
www.chicagobusiness.com/residential-...
Reposted by Matt McCabe
One Chicago ward had achieved Vision Zero.
It shows we know how to do it. Just need to decide we want to.
It shows we know how to do it. Just need to decide we want to.
Kicking off 2026 with some fantastic news: there were zero traffic fatalities in the 1st Ward last year. When we invest in traffic calming infrastructure, we save lives.
January 6, 2026 at 11:49 PM
One Chicago ward had achieved Vision Zero.
It shows we know how to do it. Just need to decide we want to.
It shows we know how to do it. Just need to decide we want to.
!!!!
BREAKING: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette will cease operations after nearly a century. The paper will cease operations entirely — both its digital and physical versions — on May 3.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is shutting down
Earlier this week, Block Communications also announced the closure of City Paper, a Pittsburgh alt-weekly.
www.inquirer.com
January 7, 2026 at 7:53 PM
!!!!
Transportation planning experts - which street configuration is best for bus priority? Highest safety for all (particularly vulnerable road users), fastest buses.
Have input for Chicago's Better Streets for Buses Plan?
The Bus Priority Corridor Study is exploring ways to make bus travel faster, more convenient, and more comfortable for riders. Tap the link below to provide input
www.menti.com/algv7baftywz
The Bus Priority Corridor Study is exploring ways to make bus travel faster, more convenient, and more comfortable for riders. Tap the link below to provide input
www.menti.com/algv7baftywz
BPCS Asynch Survey - Mentimeter
Be heard, collaborate, and share ideas—make meetings and classes more engaging with real conversations.
www.menti.com
January 6, 2026 at 7:38 PM
Transportation planning experts - which street configuration is best for bus priority? Highest safety for all (particularly vulnerable road users), fastest buses.
Reposted by Matt McCabe
Chicago not mentioned :/
New housing units permitted are on a 3-year consecutive decline since 2022
New housing units permitted are on a 3-year consecutive decline since 2022
A heck of a chart: in every single one of the 10 major US cities that built the most housing between 2017 and 2023, rents for older, existing units fell—often by quite a bit.
January 6, 2026 at 6:37 PM
Chicago not mentioned :/
New housing units permitted are on a 3-year consecutive decline since 2022
New housing units permitted are on a 3-year consecutive decline since 2022
What a mess, has there ever been another Chicago mayor who has failed to appoint so many permanent heads of major city agencies for so long?
2/8 will mark 1000 days since MBJ's inauguration.
CPS, CDOT, Chicago Transit Authority, Chicago Housing Authority, DCASE, all with interim/acting heads.
2/8 will mark 1000 days since MBJ's inauguration.
CPS, CDOT, Chicago Transit Authority, Chicago Housing Authority, DCASE, all with interim/acting heads.
CHA's top CEO candidate withdraws. Candidate Jillian Baldwin was one of six finalists being considered for the CEO position but decided to remain as head of a housing authority in Connecticut. Lizzie Kane on our important, rudderless housing agency
chicago.suntimes.com/chicago/2026...
chicago.suntimes.com/chicago/2026...
CHA's top CEO candidate withdraws application
The candidate, Jillian Baldwin, was one of six finalists being considered for the CEO position but decided to remain as the head of a housing authority in Connecticut.
chicago.suntimes.com
January 6, 2026 at 12:00 AM
What a mess, has there ever been another Chicago mayor who has failed to appoint so many permanent heads of major city agencies for so long?
2/8 will mark 1000 days since MBJ's inauguration.
CPS, CDOT, Chicago Transit Authority, Chicago Housing Authority, DCASE, all with interim/acting heads.
2/8 will mark 1000 days since MBJ's inauguration.
CPS, CDOT, Chicago Transit Authority, Chicago Housing Authority, DCASE, all with interim/acting heads.
Reposted by Matt McCabe
Don't forget to take the Cook County Rail Infill Station Study survey (and put dots for Metra infill stations in Humboldt Park!) cook-rail-survey-hntbcorp.hub.arcgis.com
Cook County Rail Survey
Take the Cook County Rail Infill Station Study Survey for where you'd like to see rail stations.
cook-rail-survey-hntbcorp.hub.arcgis.com
January 5, 2026 at 8:35 PM
Don't forget to take the Cook County Rail Infill Station Study survey (and put dots for Metra infill stations in Humboldt Park!) cook-rail-survey-hntbcorp.hub.arcgis.com
Reposted by Matt McCabe
Divvy riders took 6.8M trips in 2025, the busiest year in system history 🚲 Nearly 1M rides in August alone. We added 140 new stations and 2,076 new docks to meet demand. More riders. More stations. Transportation that works.
January 5, 2026 at 5:17 PM
Divvy riders took 6.8M trips in 2025, the busiest year in system history 🚲 Nearly 1M rides in August alone. We added 140 new stations and 2,076 new docks to meet demand. More riders. More stations. Transportation that works.
This is what the last 10 years looked like on North Ave. 7 fatalities, 912 hit and runs. 3,386 total crashes. Millions and millions in damages.
Seeing this, you'd assume the once-in-a-generation redo from CDOT and IDOT would be a radical redesign, right? How about a few bumpouts instead.
Seeing this, you'd assume the once-in-a-generation redo from CDOT and IDOT would be a radical redesign, right? How about a few bumpouts instead.
January 2, 2026 at 8:16 PM
This is what the last 10 years looked like on North Ave. 7 fatalities, 912 hit and runs. 3,386 total crashes. Millions and millions in damages.
Seeing this, you'd assume the once-in-a-generation redo from CDOT and IDOT would be a radical redesign, right? How about a few bumpouts instead.
Seeing this, you'd assume the once-in-a-generation redo from CDOT and IDOT would be a radical redesign, right? How about a few bumpouts instead.
Hey I know that lady and those kids!
How about they're just plain fun to ride.
www.bikebike.ca/blog/6-reaso...
www.bikebike.ca/blog/6-reaso...
6 Reasons To Buy A Cargo Bike In 2026 — BikeBike
6 Reasons to Buy a Cargo Bike in 2026 Or: why the most practical vehicle you’ll ever own probably has two wheels. For years, cargo bikes were treated like a niche curiosity—something you saw at a ...
www.bikebike.ca
January 2, 2026 at 8:03 PM
Hey I know that lady and those kids!
There were 43 crashes last year alone along Cortland Ave in the 26th ward. This area is proposed for a participatory budgeting greenway project. If you live in the ward, vote here and prioritize project #4! docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
(data c/o www.strongtownschicago.org/chicago-cras...)
(data c/o www.strongtownschicago.org/chicago-cras...)
January 2, 2026 at 7:35 PM
There were 43 crashes last year alone along Cortland Ave in the 26th ward. This area is proposed for a participatory budgeting greenway project. If you live in the ward, vote here and prioritize project #4! docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
(data c/o www.strongtownschicago.org/chicago-cras...)
(data c/o www.strongtownschicago.org/chicago-cras...)
Reposted by Matt McCabe
Another round of cheap, durable, and useful bike racks installed at schools across Chicago 🚲 Pictured here at:
- Ginsburg Elementary
- Stowe Elementary
- Brentano Math & Science Academy
- Pulaski School
- Ginsburg Elementary
- Stowe Elementary
- Brentano Math & Science Academy
- Pulaski School
December 30, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Another round of cheap, durable, and useful bike racks installed at schools across Chicago 🚲 Pictured here at:
- Ginsburg Elementary
- Stowe Elementary
- Brentano Math & Science Academy
- Pulaski School
- Ginsburg Elementary
- Stowe Elementary
- Brentano Math & Science Academy
- Pulaski School
Reposted by Matt McCabe
Year 1 data on congestion pricing in Manhattan…
* Vehicle traffic: -11%
* Foot traffic: +3.4%
* Storefront vacancy: -0.9%
* Pollution: -22%
* Revenue for mass transit: $548M
So YES this has been a huge success.
* Vehicle traffic: -11%
* Foot traffic: +3.4%
* Storefront vacancy: -0.9%
* Pollution: -22%
* Revenue for mass transit: $548M
So YES this has been a huge success.
December 23, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Year 1 data on congestion pricing in Manhattan…
* Vehicle traffic: -11%
* Foot traffic: +3.4%
* Storefront vacancy: -0.9%
* Pollution: -22%
* Revenue for mass transit: $548M
So YES this has been a huge success.
* Vehicle traffic: -11%
* Foot traffic: +3.4%
* Storefront vacancy: -0.9%
* Pollution: -22%
* Revenue for mass transit: $548M
So YES this has been a huge success.
Reposted by Matt McCabe
A YouTuber visualized a redesign of Elston & Ashland, and this looks like a dream - protected bike lane, shorter cross walks, and clearer no more chaotic intersection
youtube.com/shorts/YWQyz...
youtube.com/shorts/YWQyz...
Before & After of Busy Chicago Intersection
YouTube video by Streetcraft Shorts
youtube.com
December 23, 2025 at 5:07 PM
A YouTuber visualized a redesign of Elston & Ashland, and this looks like a dream - protected bike lane, shorter cross walks, and clearer no more chaotic intersection
youtube.com/shorts/YWQyz...
youtube.com/shorts/YWQyz...
Reposted by Matt McCabe
I can't overstate how much I love this video. Doomerism is the enemy of progress. Documenting how things actually improved is crucial if you want to keep making incremental progress. @ohtheurbanity.bsky.social
youtu.be/3eDqC87zpXU?...
youtu.be/3eDqC87zpXU?...
Not Just Bikes vs. Montreal (Two Years Later)
YouTube video by Oh The Urbanity!
youtu.be
December 22, 2025 at 4:20 PM
I can't overstate how much I love this video. Doomerism is the enemy of progress. Documenting how things actually improved is crucial if you want to keep making incremental progress. @ohtheurbanity.bsky.social
youtu.be/3eDqC87zpXU?...
youtu.be/3eDqC87zpXU?...
Well worth a read
Opinion | In Appalachia, Children Inherited the Opioid Crisis
The pain of drug addiction continues to course through towns like Clarksburg, W.Va., where many babies are born withdrawing and have to be taken from their parents.
buff.ly
December 22, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Well worth a read
Reposted by Matt McCabe
This is a very important bus and bike corridor. We need to fight against by-right car wash development. No new curb cuts!
December 21, 2025 at 5:28 AM
This is a very important bus and bike corridor. We need to fight against by-right car wash development. No new curb cuts!
Reposted by Matt McCabe
Like Thomas said, weigh in on this important survey at the link below engage.cmap.illinois.gov/2026-rtp/sur.... Oppose NDLSD? Oppose more vehicle lanes? Support transit? This is the survey for you. Fill it out by 12/31 to make your voice heard.
December 21, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Like Thomas said, weigh in on this important survey at the link below engage.cmap.illinois.gov/2026-rtp/sur.... Oppose NDLSD? Oppose more vehicle lanes? Support transit? This is the survey for you. Fill it out by 12/31 to make your voice heard.
Reposted by Matt McCabe
This was considered controversial about a month ago but it’s the week of Christmas and the numbers still hold. Maxey has been the best guard in the East this season, and one of the 3 best guards in the league.
December 21, 2025 at 5:10 PM
This was considered controversial about a month ago but it’s the week of Christmas and the numbers still hold. Maxey has been the best guard in the East this season, and one of the 3 best guards in the league.