April 2025: tiny lil actions to make Chicago a tiny lil bit better maybe hopefully

Click on the links and make a difference! It only takes a few minutes.

Apr 30, 2025

Bad news. Come 2026, our beloved CTA (along with Pace and Metra) will face a $771 million budget shortfall—this is the impending “fiscal cliff” you’ve likely heard of if you’re a transit nerd. If nothing is done to ward this off, CTA will likely need to enact 40% in service cuts, including:

4 of the 8 train lines suspending service
Service on remaining trains would be cut by 10% - 25%
Closing or drastically reducing service at over 50 train stations
74 of 127 CTA bus routes could be eliminated, leaving Chicago with fewer bus routes than Madison, Wisconsin. MADISON. WISCONSIN.

Good news: State lawmakers have until May 31, the end of the budget cycle, to fix this mess. One solution is the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Act, or SB5/HB1833. This bill would bring a $1.5 billion increase in annual funding by combining all of our transit agencies into one. (There is some concern that in combining with Metra and Pace, CTA will be handing over too much power to suburbanites. I haven’t heard of other solutions at this point, though.)

Read on to see how you can support the MMAA, and encourage others to do the same!

Things that take 1 minute to do

Urge your representatives to save public transit in Chicago CTA, Pace, and Metra face a $771 million fiscal cliff annually…. which will result in way less transit for our great city (see above). Let’s fight back!
Tell your representative to legalize ADUs in Chicago “Accessory dwelling units,” like coach houses, granny flats, or backyard cottages, can help mitigate the housing crisis and create a denser city!
Tell your elected officials to protect federal funding for bicyclists and pedestrians

Things that take 5 minutes to do

Share your thoughts on closing Lincoln Ave. to cars in Lincoln Square The temporary pedestrian plaza is great and has brought so much life to the area! But, small businesses are concerned that losing parking = losing revenue (we know this is typically not true!). If you’ve been up there in the past week and spent money at a small business, make sure to include that in the open answer section.

Get involved with your community

Hermosa community cleanup | Saturday, May 3 | 4356 W Diversey
Connecting Neighborhoods: Bike the Boulevards | Saturday, May 3 | Koz Park Field House
- Bike checks at 9 a.m., ride starts at 10 a.m. The ride is sponsored by a few alders and other reps in the area, and will explore Humboldt Park and Garfield Park.
The Trashy {Mother} Earth Market '25 | Saturday, May 10 | Gallagher Way
- This market is SO cute and integrates one of my favorite orgs, Reduce Waste Chicago. Not only can you shop for upcycled home goods, art, planters, fashion, body care, and oddball stuff, you can also drop off household supplies to the artisans for their future creative projects. Such a great way to keep objects out of our landfills :).
1st Ward Clean Up Event | Saturday, May 17 | 1st Ward Office and Pulaski Park
The Volunteer Fair | Saturday, May 31 | Ramova Theatre
- This lovely event is hosted by my pals at Trash People of Logan Square and aims to connect do-gooders like yourself with the volunteer opportunities that will fulfill you most.
Advocate for better public transportation | Weekends in May | West Side, Downtown, South Side
- Sign up to talk to transit riders about the fiscal cliff and why we need to pass the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Act.