Ruben JCW
littlebluestem.bsky.social
Ruben JCW
@littlebluestem.bsky.social
Dune Walker, Musician, Transit and Pedestrian Advocate, Chicagoin
Reposted by Ruben JCW
New from me! Chicago has far too many bus stops to provide efficient service for its riders—nearly twice the national standard. I reimagined what Chicago's bus network could do to make it look like its peers.

citythatworks.substack.com/p/a-plan-for...
A plan for faster buses
We can speed up the bus at (almost) no cost
citythatworks.substack.com
December 22, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Where in Chicago do the highest density of 4 flats exist?
December 21, 2025 at 5:09 AM
Reposted by Ruben JCW
It was such a joy to celebrate Hanukkah with Mandy, Kathryn and their son, Gideon. As Jewish New Yorkers across our city prepare to light candles and mark the seventh night today, I wish you and your families a Hanukkah full of light and love.

youtu.be/KIxAKyioXng
Happy Hanukkah
YouTube video by Zohran Mamdani for NYC
youtu.be
December 20, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Reposted by Ruben JCW
just a reminder that antisemitism has been a part of Western culture for over a millennia and has a powerful influence on culture, social life, and politics. as with other forms of oppression, like misogyny and racism, open violence is just an explicit expression of more widespread attitudes.
December 14, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Reposted by Ruben JCW
The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning is preparing it's next regional transportation plan. Complete this survey to share your thoughts on the future of transportation in the region. Make sure CMAP knows people want sidewalks, bike lanes and transit. engage.cmap.illinois.gov/2026-rtp/sur...
It's your turn! | Engage with CMAP
Whether you drive, roll, walk, or take public transit, we invite you to share your current experiences and future aspirations getting around northeastern Illinois. By answering the following 20+ quest...
engage.cmap.illinois.gov
December 12, 2025 at 1:32 AM
Reposted by Ruben JCW
BREAKING: Democrats and Republicans in Congress just voted to pass the Protect America’s Workforce Act to restore federal workers’ union rights – the first time the House has voted to overturn a Trump executive order in this term. https://bit.ly/4oNyBQc
December 11, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Reposted by Ruben JCW
Abolish the Gestapo.
ICE detain U.S. citizen for looking Somali—use illegal chokehold to tackle him to ground.

Man repeatedly begs agents to look at his digital passport ID—they refuse.

Drove him 7 miles away before releasing him alone into Minnesota snow storm—told him to "walk home" in freezing weather advisory.
December 10, 2025 at 10:47 PM
@chicagocta.bsky.social Ended up walking 30 minutes in the snow as not a single 49 bus came yesterday within the half hour. This isn't even normal intervals let alone the new frequent network schedule.
December 8, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Contact your alders to get the plow the side walks pilot off the ground. Yesterday while riding the 80 Irving Park, I saw three elderly gentlemen have to navigate mounds of snow exiting the bus on the street to get to their living facility.
December 4, 2025 at 3:03 AM
Reposted by Ruben JCW
Absolutely disgraceful and dangerous.

He and his supporters constantly talk about rhetoric that gets people killed…that’s what this is.
Trump on Minnesota's Somali community: "They contribute nothing. I don't want them in our country, I'll be honest with you."
December 2, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Reposted by Ruben JCW
Transit should be at forefront of any climate resiliency plan. Take snow. A bus is heavy and piloted by a trained driver; much safer in snow (or heavy rainfall) than the relatively light vehicles driven by civilians. Bus riders take vehicles off the streets, which speeds plowing, emergency response.
November 30, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Reposted by Ruben JCW
4 senior House Dems — Hakeem Jeffries, Katherine Clark, Pete Aguilar, & Ted Lieu — voted for a Republican-led resolution to “CONDEMN SOCIALISM,” a symbolic measure that passed the chamber on Wed. The vote comes as NYC mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani is set to meet with Pres. Donald Trump at the WH today.
November 21, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Reposted by Ruben JCW
Here's your chance to do something about the people being starved and beaten in Broadview ICE custody.

Share this post, and I'll donate $1 to the Midwest Immigration Bond Fund (www.mibfc.org).

And if you make a donation to them, let me know how much and I'll match it 1:1.
November 12, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Brooklyn is in a different reality when it comes to approving housing🫨
August 25, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Hopefully some good news. Interesting this was included in the budget, leads me to believe lawmakers do have some sort of convoluted plan to address the cliff.

wgntv.com/news/traffic...
wgntv.com
June 5, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Reposted by Ruben JCW
Supreme Court temporarily ensures states can murder pregnant women as it decides whether to permanently permit states to murder pregnant women.
Supreme Court allows Idaho to enforce its strict abortion ban, even in medical emergencies
Supreme Court is allowing Idaho to enforce its strict abortion ban, even in medical emergencies, while a legal fight continues.
apnews.com
January 6, 2024 at 3:19 AM