Emily Hugan
@changeurbanlife.bsky.social
chicago urbanist, mediocre triathlete, and baker
https://substack.com/@brickandwheel
https://substack.com/@brickandwheel
fuck off
In September someone who lives across the street told me about the potential demolition. It will be a side yard for the brand-new home next door. The irony is that 2219 was owned by Ray Capitanini (who died in April), a longtime supporter of Preservation Chicago. His parents started Italian Village.
November 26, 2025 at 11:22 PM
fuck off
Took the Collier Area Transit (CAT!) today for the second time ever in my hometown and honestly it's very underrated. Service is abysmal (1 bus every 55ish mins), but gosh darn did it arrive almost exactly when it said it would. Wide spacing of stops made it a very short ride. Will take again.
November 26, 2025 at 3:31 AM
Took the Collier Area Transit (CAT!) today for the second time ever in my hometown and honestly it's very underrated. Service is abysmal (1 bus every 55ish mins), but gosh darn did it arrive almost exactly when it said it would. Wide spacing of stops made it a very short ride. Will take again.
So did the awards group send genetic tests to every single person they considered for this?
November 19, 2025 at 4:52 PM
So did the awards group send genetic tests to every single person they considered for this?
Reposted by Emily Hugan
New video out now! IDOT & CDOT seriously missed the mark with Redefine the Drive. Here’s how we can do better
youtu.be/aspdaCREwWI?...
youtu.be/aspdaCREwWI?...
What if Chicago's Lakefront Had Less Cars?
YouTube video by Car Free Keith
youtu.be
November 15, 2025 at 5:07 PM
New video out now! IDOT & CDOT seriously missed the mark with Redefine the Drive. Here’s how we can do better
youtu.be/aspdaCREwWI?...
youtu.be/aspdaCREwWI?...
Reposted by Emily Hugan
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed 4 years ago. In new research @urbaninstitute.bsky.social we study its effects.
US transport spending increased by 30%, but:
—Funding for non-highway projects flatlined
—Construction cost increases resulted in no actual increase in infrastructure
US transport spending increased by 30%, but:
—Funding for non-highway projects flatlined
—Construction cost increases resulted in no actual increase in infrastructure
Federal Infrastructure Spending on Transportation, Four Years after the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is up for reauthorization in 2026. New analysis shows that the act increased spending on transportation infrastructure, but…
www.urban.org
November 12, 2025 at 5:32 PM
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed 4 years ago. In new research @urbaninstitute.bsky.social we study its effects.
US transport spending increased by 30%, but:
—Funding for non-highway projects flatlined
—Construction cost increases resulted in no actual increase in infrastructure
US transport spending increased by 30%, but:
—Funding for non-highway projects flatlined
—Construction cost increases resulted in no actual increase in infrastructure
Reposted by Emily Hugan
“Chicago is where I was born and raised. And honestly, biking just makes me feel at peace. I'm usually not the most calm person - when I'm biking though, my mind is centered. I can pay attention to my surroundings. It's kind of like a meditation for me.” 🧵
November 10, 2025 at 1:56 PM
“Chicago is where I was born and raised. And honestly, biking just makes me feel at peace. I'm usually not the most calm person - when I'm biking though, my mind is centered. I can pay attention to my surroundings. It's kind of like a meditation for me.” 🧵
Reposted by Emily Hugan
“because there's a lot of stuff I can see with a bike. And you don’t have to rely on trains or a car. And biking down Lake Shore Drive, it is incredible to smell the lake, especially early in the morning. There's not much traffic, you smell the lake, and you can see a nice sunset, all of that.”
November 10, 2025 at 1:56 PM
“because there's a lot of stuff I can see with a bike. And you don’t have to rely on trains or a car. And biking down Lake Shore Drive, it is incredible to smell the lake, especially early in the morning. There's not much traffic, you smell the lake, and you can see a nice sunset, all of that.”
Reposted by Emily Hugan
"if you are just joining us we are standing momentarily because my boss said to"
November 11, 2025 at 12:33 AM
"if you are just joining us we are standing momentarily because my boss said to"
Reposted by Emily Hugan
Woah, 71st Street got a road diet and protected bike lanes from Cottage Grove to Dorchester! The terrifying drag strip along the southern edge of Oak Woods Cemetery is no more. This is so awesome!
November 9, 2025 at 6:19 AM
Woah, 71st Street got a road diet and protected bike lanes from Cottage Grove to Dorchester! The terrifying drag strip along the southern edge of Oak Woods Cemetery is no more. This is so awesome!
Reposted by Emily Hugan
We sold out 2 tamale vendors, bought out 2 more vendors, and absolutely swarmed a family owned bakery. It was a good day with some the very best of #BikeChi 🥰 for the 4th installment of the Street Vendor Bike Tour. We persist. ✊🏽
November 9, 2025 at 2:07 AM
We sold out 2 tamale vendors, bought out 2 more vendors, and absolutely swarmed a family owned bakery. It was a good day with some the very best of #BikeChi 🥰 for the 4th installment of the Street Vendor Bike Tour. We persist. ✊🏽
Reposted by Emily Hugan
Thousands of dollars have been raised for a Chicago doctor who remains in critical condition after a driver struck him as he biked home last week near the Illinois Medical District.
Doctor in critical condition after being struck by driver while biking near Illinois Medical District
chicago.suntimes.com
November 8, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Thousands of dollars have been raised for a Chicago doctor who remains in critical condition after a driver struck him as he biked home last week near the Illinois Medical District.
Reposted by Emily Hugan
Leerhsenistas feasting. 2026 is our year 🤩🤩
Acting CTA President Nora Leerhsen’s ambitious plan would also expand — from 20 to 30 routes — the so-called “Frequent Bus Network” that provides service “every ten minutes or better” between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m.
trib.al/Va4Ri0r
trib.al/Va4Ri0r
CTA plans 24-hour service on Orange Line to Midway, thanks to mass transit bailout
Acting CTA President Nora Leerhsen’s ambitious plan would also expand — from 20 to 30 routes — the so-called “Frequent Bus Network” that provides service “every ten minutes or better” between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m.
trib.al
November 6, 2025 at 11:34 PM
Leerhsenistas feasting. 2026 is our year 🤩🤩
Reposted by Emily Hugan
I'm a simp for Nora Leerhsen
November 6, 2025 at 11:42 PM
I'm a simp for Nora Leerhsen
Reposted by Emily Hugan
can we keep Nora Leerhsen? please? from my view she’s been hitting it out of the park
A message from CTA Acting President Nora Leerhsen:
"No service cuts. No layoffs. In fact, CTA will grow."
"No service cuts. No layoffs. In fact, CTA will grow."
November 6, 2025 at 1:32 PM
can we keep Nora Leerhsen? please? from my view she’s been hitting it out of the park
Reposted by Emily Hugan
lib
laugh
leave for Florida
laugh
leave for Florida
November 5, 2025 at 2:57 AM
lib
laugh
leave for Florida
laugh
leave for Florida
Reposted by Emily Hugan
the people yearn for Bus
November 5, 2025 at 3:12 AM
the people yearn for Bus
the person who media trained him needs a medal
Mamdani was unaware Dick Cheney had died when I asked just now:
November 4, 2025 at 3:11 PM
the person who media trained him needs a medal
do you think the salmon is ok
Oh. My. God. What a day in the Puget Sound. 73 Endangered Southern Resident Orcas swam past Point Robinson Lighthouse on Vashon Island. Here is one breaching with a salmon in its mouth. 🦑
November 3, 2025 at 5:17 PM
do you think the salmon is ok
Reposted by Emily Hugan
To put a finer point on it:
• Lots of working-class folks live in 🟢🏘️
• There are lots of jobs in 🟡🏭
• We’ve already built 🔵🚆
• But we’re missing 🔴🛤️
• So those workers have to drive on ⚫️🛣️
• Therefore we should #BuildTheTunnel 🔴🚇
• Lots of working-class folks live in 🟢🏘️
• There are lots of jobs in 🟡🏭
• We’ve already built 🔵🚆
• But we’re missing 🔴🛤️
• So those workers have to drive on ⚫️🛣️
• Therefore we should #BuildTheTunnel 🔴🚇
November 2, 2025 at 5:58 AM
To put a finer point on it:
• Lots of working-class folks live in 🟢🏘️
• There are lots of jobs in 🟡🏭
• We’ve already built 🔵🚆
• But we’re missing 🔴🛤️
• So those workers have to drive on ⚫️🛣️
• Therefore we should #BuildTheTunnel 🔴🚇
• Lots of working-class folks live in 🟢🏘️
• There are lots of jobs in 🟡🏭
• We’ve already built 🔵🚆
• But we’re missing 🔴🛤️
• So those workers have to drive on ⚫️🛣️
• Therefore we should #BuildTheTunnel 🔴🚇
Reposted by Emily Hugan
It's a Chicago holiday
November 1, 2025 at 12:06 PM
It's a Chicago holiday
Reposted by Emily Hugan
JUST IN: PRITZKER will sign Northern Illinois Transit Authority Act to overhaul Chicago-area transit
October 31, 2025 at 1:59 PM
JUST IN: PRITZKER will sign Northern Illinois Transit Authority Act to overhaul Chicago-area transit
Reposted by Emily Hugan
On October 31, 1993, CTA opened a new 'L' line from the Loop to Midway-the first completely new 'L' line since the Dan Ryan Line (today's South Side Red Line) opened in 1969. 🍊
October 31, 2025 at 2:21 PM
On October 31, 1993, CTA opened a new 'L' line from the Loop to Midway-the first completely new 'L' line since the Dan Ryan Line (today's South Side Red Line) opened in 1969. 🍊
this would actually make my year
Let’s lock in Nora for CTA president next
October 31, 2025 at 1:21 PM
this would actually make my year
I would go to Al's Beef and order a beef hot dipped
What would happen if Chicago got nuked? A nuclear expert talks about "A House of Dynamite." blockclubchi.co/47PuMVi
October 31, 2025 at 1:20 PM
I would go to Al's Beef and order a beef hot dipped