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
Under the Northwest Side Preservation Ordinance, developers have to pay steep fees to demolish existing residential to build more dense residential but pay $0 to demolish something like this to replace it with single-family homes. Make it make sense.
This blows. Not only are we losing a 130-year-old church, but in return we're getting just four homes on a site that's almost half an acre and only a 10 min walk to the Blue line.
The underlying zoning is RS-3, and it's just a lot easier to build SFHs by right than contend with a rezoning.
The underlying zoning is RS-3, and it's just a lot easier to build SFHs by right than contend with a rezoning.
Another Church Demolition Permitted, This Time In Logan Square, For SFR Redevelopment - Chicago YIMBY
Even as some Chicagoans are still coming to grips with the demolition of a vintage church in Ravenswood, another has been slated for demolition and redevelopment.
chicagoyimby.com
November 14, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Under the Northwest Side Preservation Ordinance, developers have to pay steep fees to demolish existing residential to build more dense residential but pay $0 to demolish something like this to replace it with single-family homes. Make it make sense.
Streets used to be places where people got together.
November 13, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Streets used to be places where people got together.
Reposted by Matt McCabe
This blows. Not only are we losing a 130-year-old church, but in return we're getting just four homes on a site that's almost half an acre and only a 10 min walk to the Blue line.
The underlying zoning is RS-3, and it's just a lot easier to build SFHs by right than contend with a rezoning.
The underlying zoning is RS-3, and it's just a lot easier to build SFHs by right than contend with a rezoning.
Another Church Demolition Permitted, This Time In Logan Square, For SFR Redevelopment - Chicago YIMBY
Even as some Chicagoans are still coming to grips with the demolition of a vintage church in Ravenswood, another has been slated for demolition and redevelopment.
chicagoyimby.com
November 13, 2025 at 1:00 AM
This blows. Not only are we losing a 130-year-old church, but in return we're getting just four homes on a site that's almost half an acre and only a 10 min walk to the Blue line.
The underlying zoning is RS-3, and it's just a lot easier to build SFHs by right than contend with a rezoning.
The underlying zoning is RS-3, and it's just a lot easier to build SFHs by right than contend with a rezoning.
Reposted by Matt McCabe
PUBLIC MEETING ALERT: Illinois is updating its Statewide Transit Plan, setting a long term vision for how we fund, expand & improve public transportation across the state. Virtual meeting info:
Nov 15 at 10am
Nov 18 at 12pm
Nov 18 at 7pm
Register & PLEASE SHARE: idot.illinois.gov/transportati...
Nov 15 at 10am
Nov 18 at 12pm
Nov 18 at 7pm
Register & PLEASE SHARE: idot.illinois.gov/transportati...
Next Move Illinois
Public transportation is an essential way for people to travel throughout the state of Illinois. Next Move Illinois is a successor to the 2018 Illinois Statewide Public Transportation Plan. The goal o...
idot.illinois.gov
November 10, 2025 at 9:05 PM
PUBLIC MEETING ALERT: Illinois is updating its Statewide Transit Plan, setting a long term vision for how we fund, expand & improve public transportation across the state. Virtual meeting info:
Nov 15 at 10am
Nov 18 at 12pm
Nov 18 at 7pm
Register & PLEASE SHARE: idot.illinois.gov/transportati...
Nov 15 at 10am
Nov 18 at 12pm
Nov 18 at 7pm
Register & PLEASE SHARE: idot.illinois.gov/transportati...
Gonna want to follow along with this one
Ellis is on the bench.
Good morning from Chicago's Dirksen Federal Courthouse.
We're waiting for District Judge Sara Ellis to take the bench in the federal class action urging an injunction against federal immigration agents' violent behavior in Chicagoland.
Ellis will issue an oral ruling on the injuction this morning.
We're waiting for District Judge Sara Ellis to take the bench in the federal class action urging an injunction against federal immigration agents' violent behavior in Chicagoland.
Ellis will issue an oral ruling on the injuction this morning.
November 6, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Gonna want to follow along with this one
Reposted by Matt McCabe
Cargo biking, 99 years ago. Came across this in a photo archive, unfortunately with no info on who or where, just the year, 1926. But it made me think of @lauragmitchell.com and her lovely feed of her commutes to school and around town with her children.
November 6, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Cargo biking, 99 years ago. Came across this in a photo archive, unfortunately with no info on who or where, just the year, 1926. But it made me think of @lauragmitchell.com and her lovely feed of her commutes to school and around town with her children.
National embarrassment, needs to be under 12 hours - max.
New York to Chicago by train:
1905: Pennsylvania Railroad, 18 hours
2025: Amtrak, 19.5 hours
1905: Pennsylvania Railroad, 18 hours
2025: Amtrak, 19.5 hours
November 6, 2025 at 4:18 PM
National embarrassment, needs to be under 12 hours - max.
Reposted by Matt McCabe
A person I interviewed for this story told me her 8th grader recently read Night by Elie Wiesel in school and observed “it’s sort of like what’s happening here right now” in case you’re wondering how things are going for Chicago’s kids.
On the occasion of Halloween, @newrepublic.com asked me to write about what’s going on in Chicago and I wanted you all to know what randomized terror feels like. And also that as the federal government fails our kids, everyday Chicagoans are showing the courage of trying to protect them.
ICE Is Terrorizing Chicago for Halloween—and Parents Are Fighting Back
Fear and a whiff of tear gas hang over festivities this year. In response, even people who aren’t usually politically engaged are mobilizing.
newrepublic.com
October 31, 2025 at 12:43 PM
A person I interviewed for this story told me her 8th grader recently read Night by Elie Wiesel in school and observed “it’s sort of like what’s happening here right now” in case you’re wondering how things are going for Chicago’s kids.
Coyote pups playing and howling along the Chicago river as seen and heard from the delightfully quiet Cortland bridge.
October 30, 2025 at 2:07 AM
Coyote pups playing and howling along the Chicago river as seen and heard from the delightfully quiet Cortland bridge.
Reposted by Matt McCabe
it’s beyond comprehension that scenes like this have become routine in chicago.
masked soldiers are carelessly lobbing chemical weapons—that are banned from use during warfare—on random residential streets.
this is the third time feds have tear-gassed residents in chicago *this week!*
masked soldiers are carelessly lobbing chemical weapons—that are banned from use during warfare—on random residential streets.
this is the third time feds have tear-gassed residents in chicago *this week!*
Video from witness here from the moment CBP gassed neighbors who had gathered outside after the kidnapping.
Agent rolls a canister at the crowd out of the window of their car as they reverse away from people with whistles and bikes.
Agent rolls a canister at the crowd out of the window of their car as they reverse away from people with whistles and bikes.
October 24, 2025 at 6:55 PM
it’s beyond comprehension that scenes like this have become routine in chicago.
masked soldiers are carelessly lobbing chemical weapons—that are banned from use during warfare—on random residential streets.
this is the third time feds have tear-gassed residents in chicago *this week!*
masked soldiers are carelessly lobbing chemical weapons—that are banned from use during warfare—on random residential streets.
this is the third time feds have tear-gassed residents in chicago *this week!*
Reposted by Matt McCabe
Humboldt Park en Solidaridad IG page shared that due to ICE agents in the Wicker Park area Pritzker School has been placed on a soft lockdown.
October 24, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Humboldt Park en Solidaridad IG page shared that due to ICE agents in the Wicker Park area Pritzker School has been placed on a soft lockdown.
Reposted by Matt McCabe
It's a temporary solution but it would be super cool if neighbors weaponized block party permits around halloween weekend to stop the chilled water from making a quiet getaway
October 22, 2025 at 12:39 PM
It's a temporary solution but it would be super cool if neighbors weaponized block party permits around halloween weekend to stop the chilled water from making a quiet getaway
Reposted by Matt McCabe
Over at A City That Works: Police are far more effective when deployed to the hotspots where violence is most likely to occur. But Chicago's deployments are heavily skewed towards the least-violent parts of the city. (1/4) citythatworks.substack.com/p/put-police...
Put police officers where the violence is
The promise of CPD’s workforce allocation study
citythatworks.substack.com
October 20, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Over at A City That Works: Police are far more effective when deployed to the hotspots where violence is most likely to occur. But Chicago's deployments are heavily skewed towards the least-violent parts of the city. (1/4) citythatworks.substack.com/p/put-police...
Reposted by Matt McCabe
Happening Now: Thousands out for a “No Kings” protest in Chicago
October 18, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Happening Now: Thousands out for a “No Kings” protest in Chicago
Don’t mess with Chicago.
October 18, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Don’t mess with Chicago.
Reposted by Matt McCabe
Massive crowd as thousands pack downtown Chicago for the No Kings rally and march. I’m here #OnAssignment for @blockclubchi.bsky.social
October 18, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Massive crowd as thousands pack downtown Chicago for the No Kings rally and march. I’m here #OnAssignment for @blockclubchi.bsky.social
Reposted by Matt McCabe
The No Kings March in Chicago is one of the largest gatherings I’ve seen here. Looking down from by the river, the crowd stretches for blocks down Michigan Ave and wraps around Wacker Dr. This video is from a few minutes ago and the end of the protest is nowhere in sight.
@blockclubchi.bsky.social
@blockclubchi.bsky.social
October 18, 2025 at 7:29 PM
The No Kings March in Chicago is one of the largest gatherings I’ve seen here. Looking down from by the river, the crowd stretches for blocks down Michigan Ave and wraps around Wacker Dr. This video is from a few minutes ago and the end of the protest is nowhere in sight.
@blockclubchi.bsky.social
@blockclubchi.bsky.social
Reposted by Matt McCabe
There's never been a better time to bike or take public transit.
Average new-vehicle manufacturer’s suggested retail prices hit an all-time high last month, reaching $52k, up 4.2% from last year.
(The best selling vehicle in the U.S. is a ford truck that sells for more than 65k)
All that “freedom” to be stuck in car dependency & traffic sure sounds expensive.
(The best selling vehicle in the U.S. is a ford truck that sells for more than 65k)
All that “freedom” to be stuck in car dependency & traffic sure sounds expensive.
Average U.S. New Car Prices Top $50,000 For The First Time Ever
Prices for new vehicles have risen steadily in the last year as the pace of price increases has sped up in recent months, according to Cox Automotive’s Kelley Blue Book.
www.forbes.com
October 14, 2025 at 3:02 PM
There's never been a better time to bike or take public transit.
Reposted by Matt McCabe
Bored National Guard Goes Door To Door Asking If Chicagoans Have Any Order They Need Restored https://theonion.com/bored-national-guard-goes-door-to-door-asking-if-chicagoans-have-any-order-they-need-restored/
October 9, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Bored National Guard Goes Door To Door Asking If Chicagoans Have Any Order They Need Restored https://theonion.com/bored-national-guard-goes-door-to-door-asking-if-chicagoans-have-any-order-they-need-restored/
Reposted by Matt McCabe
What an unforgettable afternoon with
#BensonBoone on the
#BikeBus!
The energy, the smiles, and the singing made it a ride we'll never forget.
#BensonBoone on the
#BikeBus!
The energy, the smiles, and the singing made it a ride we'll never forget.
October 8, 2025 at 5:21 PM
What an unforgettable afternoon with
#BensonBoone on the
#BikeBus!
The energy, the smiles, and the singing made it a ride we'll never forget.
#BensonBoone on the
#BikeBus!
The energy, the smiles, and the singing made it a ride we'll never forget.
Reposted by Matt McCabe
(shared with permission) ICE/CBP has been active on Chicago's northwest side this morning—and also met with rapid responders.
Agents reportedly abducted one man from this Dunkin at Belmont and Milwaukee around 9:30am before speeding off.
Agents reportedly abducted one man from this Dunkin at Belmont and Milwaukee around 9:30am before speeding off.
October 8, 2025 at 4:35 PM
(shared with permission) ICE/CBP has been active on Chicago's northwest side this morning—and also met with rapid responders.
Agents reportedly abducted one man from this Dunkin at Belmont and Milwaukee around 9:30am before speeding off.
Agents reportedly abducted one man from this Dunkin at Belmont and Milwaukee around 9:30am before speeding off.
Reposted by Matt McCabe
9% of roadways in Chicago are managed by @illinoisdot.bsky.social
They account for *44%* of fatalities
There needs to be a reckoning at IDOT
They account for *44%* of fatalities
There needs to be a reckoning at IDOT
October 8, 2025 at 3:39 PM
9% of roadways in Chicago are managed by @illinoisdot.bsky.social
They account for *44%* of fatalities
There needs to be a reckoning at IDOT
They account for *44%* of fatalities
There needs to be a reckoning at IDOT
Reposted by Matt McCabe
October 7, 2025 at 4:00 PM