About Strong Towns Chicago

Strong Towns Chicago is the Chicago-based local group of the National Strong Towns Organization. Our mission is to spread awareness and take action to make Chicago a better place to live for everyone, with a pro-urbanism and pro-housing focus. Strong Towns is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit media advocacy organization. We produce content that analyzes the failures of the post-war North American development pattern while giving citizens the knowledge and tools to start making our places better today. As a part of Strong Towns, we align our efforts along the five priority campaigns of the national organization, with a specific focus on Chicago. The five campaigns are: End Highway Expansion, Transparent Local Accounting, Incremental Housing, Safe and Productive Streets, End Parking Mandates and Subsidies

End Highway Expansion

Strong Towns Chicago seeks to curtail the continued expansion of America’s highways and related auto-based transportation systems. The most prominent campaign related to highways currently is to pause and improve the Redefine the Drive proposal. The current Redefine the Drive plan to remake N Dusable Lake Shore Drive devotes all the lanes to cars, and alternatives that included bus lanes and light rail were not selected. Our goal is to prevent this plan from being passed and propose a plan with multi-modal transit. Tactics to achieve this goal include: writing letters to representatives and meeting them in-person, posting educational content, making public comments during local government meetings, and collaborating with other like-minded organizations in Chicago.

Transparent Local Accounting

Strong Towns Chicago seeks to increase the transparency of local government accounting practices. The transit task force within the organization is engaged in city-wide advocacy for increased transit funding, sufficient budgets, and financial transparency at the CTA.

Incremental Housing

Strong Towns Chicago seek to have the next increment of development intensity allowed, by right, in every neighborhood in Chicago. To achieve this goal, we have demonstrated support for the proposed city ordinance to expand construction of additional dwelling units \- ADUs \- citywide. The Strong Towns Chicago team has written op-eds, given public comment at city meetings, and collaborated with other local organizations. In addition to the ADU ordinance, we support 4-flats by right, proactive upzoning, and getting rid of parking requirements.

Safe and Productive Streets

Strong Towns Chicago seeks to shift the priority of local streets from automobile throughput to human safety and wealth creation. To support this goal, we have organized several walking tours across Chicago, highlighting features and ongoing initiatives to build safer streets in several neighborhoods. These walking tours educate members on different Chicago neighborhoods and how we can continue to build great streets. Additionally, our transit task force is involved in getting our priorities heard in the Powering our Transit Future CTA Plan. The transit task force is also planning action on neighborhood fixes such as adding bike lanes, tactical urbanism initiatives, and elevators at specific L stops.

End Parking Mandates and Subsidies

Strong Towns Chicago seeks an end to the mandates and subsidies that cause productive land to be used for motor vehicle storage.