iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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Abundant Housing Illinois @abundanthousingil.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

🚨 🚨 The Edgewater Synagogue Redevelopment proposal has been updated to include over 600 units (!), 120 affordable on-site (!!) right on the Red Line (!!!) Come Thurs May 28 @ 6:30 show you support the changes, and affordable, abundant, sustainable housing! 🙏 🌲 🌇

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Abundant Housing Illinois @abundanthousingil.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

It’s time to BUILD! Today, we’re launching our letter campaign in support of Governor Pritzker’s comprehensive pro-housing initiative. 🏘️ Sending a letter to your legislator takes approximately 30 seconds; add your name today! actionnetwork.org/letters/pass...

actionnetwork.org

Pass the BUILD Plan!

Illinois is facing a growing housing affordability crisis and we won’t solve it without building more homes. The BUILD Plan (HB 5626; SB 4060, 4061, 4062, 4063, 4064, and 4071) is a comprehensive…

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Brenden Moore @brendenmoore.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

**Important update** Some new details on what property owners can build by right on land zoned for residential under Pritzker's plan: ≤2,500 sq ft: 1 unit 2,500–5,000 sq ft: up to 4 units 5,000–7,500 sq ft: up to 6 units 7,500+ sq ft: up to 8 units

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Jeremy Glover @jgrantglover.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

Chicago is actually really bad at building TOD. There are only 34 'L' stations in the entire city where the average surrounding building height is greater than 30 feet, and 16 of them are in the Loop.

Map showing average height for buildings within a quarter-mile of each CTA 'L' station in Chicago.

Individual building height was calculated using the difference between a 2018 digital surface model (DSM) and digital elevation model (DEM) and using the median value within a building's footprint.

DEM and DSM models were provided by the Illinois State Geological Survey. Building footprint data (2017 vintage) were downloaded via the City of Chicago data portal.

Map and analysis by Jeremy Glover
@jgrantglover.bsky.social

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Capitol Fax @capitolfax.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

Transit reform/funding bill approved in the Senate. This is final passage

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Abundant Housing Illinois @abundanthousingil.bsky.social · 30/10/2025

It’s witness slip time! 🚨 Transit funding bill SB2111 has been assigned to committee and we need folks to file witness slips as PROPONENT immediately! The attached graphic provides guidance for submitting a slip. mbl.ms/mKgZnW7m-BQ

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Steven @stevevance.net · 18/09/2025

Under Ald. Quinn's ADUs plan... regular side street apartment building doesn't need union labor ...but a tiny basement ADU for grandma would require union labor, jacking up costs

Under Ald. Quinn's ADUs plan...

regular side street apartment building
tiny basement apartment doesn't need union labor

...but a tiny basement apartment for grandma would require union labor, jacking up costs

call your alderperson, ask them to support Ald. Lawson's ADU plan

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Michael McLean @michaelmclean.me · 10/09/2025

One-third of Chicagoans can't afford cost of living Over the last 10 years: 🏘️ Housing costs ⬆️ 45% 🥕 Grocery costs ⬆️ 28% We MUST build more housing

https://fred.stlouisfed.org/graph/?g=1MdkF

A line chart with four series:

Shelter (orange, dotted): steady climb from ~100 in 2015 to ~144 by 2025—the largest cumulative increase.

All items (blue, solid): gradual rise to ~105 by 2020, sharp jump in 2021–2022 to ~120, then slower climb to ~131 by 2025.

All items less shelter (green, dashed): roughly flat near 100 through 2020, then rises in 2021–2022 and reaches ~126 by 2025.

Food at home (purple, dashed): dips below 100 in 2016–2017 (~96–97), stays soft until 2020, then surges 2021–2022 and ends around ~127 in 2025.

Takeaway: Shelter drove the biggest long-run gains; headline CPI and groceries both increased substantially since 2015, despite the brief grocery deflation in 2016–2017.

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Abundant Housing Illinois @abundanthousingil.bsky.social · 17/07/2025

🚨 HOUSING WIN 🚨 Today, the Chicago City Council eliminated costly parking mandates for all residential zones located near CTA and Metra bus and rail stations. 🥳 This important reform will lower construction costs and make it easier to build new homes across almost all of Chicago. 🏘️

Image of typical Chicago two-flats, three-flats, and four-flats with a text overlay that says "Chicago just eliminated parking mandates for residential areas located near public transit"

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Brandon @bedubble.bsky.social · 01/06/2025

Hey @govpritzker.illinois.gov whip your party into shape. You have unacceptable results on transit revenue and reform from Springfield.

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Yonah Freemark @yonahfreemark.com · 01/06/2025

After passing Illinois Senate, a bill that would fund & reform Chicago’s transit system failed to be considered by the House, which adjourned for the session. Chicago’s CTA, Metra & Pace transit systems now face big cuts in service from the fiscal cliff that the state legislature didn’t address.

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Michael McLean @michaelmclean.me · 01/06/2025

The house is about to adjourn for the session. No transit funding, no parking reform, no four flats by right, no ADUs by right, and large nuclear remains banned. Man, what a let down. We were so close on all of these. Woof.

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Star:Line Chicago @starlinechicago.bsky.social · 01/06/2025

CTA wouldn’t make an ‘L’ map of what their doomsday could look like, but I did. RTA says the CTA could reduce or close four entire lines and close or greatly reduce service at 50 stations, so here’s what killing 4 lines and 50 stations could look like. Welcome to the future.

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Laurie! Live! @laurie-merrell.bsky.social · 01/06/2025

hey @govpritzker.illinois.gov what's the plan to ensure that Chicagoland transit doesn't topple over the fiscal cliff, squandering one of our most distinctive assets and ending all hope of a sustainable or equitable future for the region

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Active Transportation Alliance @activetransportation.org · 01/06/2025

Illinois deserves a fully funded, world-class transit system. Please file a witness slip as a "proponent" for SFA3: my.ilga.gov/WitnessSlip/...

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Star:Line Chicago @starlinechicago.bsky.social · 01/06/2025

Big news: after pushing back against the unfunded version and previous funding options, labor is filing witness slips in *support* of this version. Join the chorus and file a witness slip in support of Amendment 3!

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Better Streets Chicago @betterstreetschicago.org · 01/06/2025

⬇️ take this action now!

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Michael McLean @michaelmclean.me · 01/06/2025

If you want transit in Chicago to be saved, sign a “Proponent” witness slip immediately! Firm: “Self” Representing: “Self” Subject matter: “HB 3438 - SFA 3” Position: Proponent Testimony: “Appearance Only” my.ilga.gov/WitnessSlip/...

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Zak Yudhishthu @zyudhishthu.bsky.social · 26/03/2025

"Filtering" is very important to understanding the impacts of new market-rate development, but the term seems to be used to describe two different things. Today, I discuss two kinds of "filtering" in housing (and recent economic research on each topic) pencillingout.substack.com/p/what-do-we...

pencillingout.substack.com

What do we mean when we say "filtering?"

Distinguishing between two different housing market dynamics

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Abundant Housing Illinois @abundanthousingil.bsky.social · 21/03/2025

This afternoon, the IL House’s Housing Committee moved forward bills that would legalize ADUs statewide and missing middle housing statewide! 🏘️ 🥳 Abundant Housing IL endorsed both of these bills, and our members sent over 1,500 letters of support to Chair Jimenez and Speaker Welch #HB1813 #HB1814

Missing middle housing in Logan Square, featuring pride flag

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Michael McLean @michaelmclean.me · 20/03/2025

ACTION ALERT The People Over Parking Act has been assigned to the house Executive Committee for a hearing TODAY. Please sign a “proponent” witness slip. For “Firm/Business” I put “Abundant Housing Illinois” my.ilga.gov/WitnessSlip/...

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Molly Jong-Fast @mollyjongfast.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

Everything got so stupid so quickly.

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Abundant Housing Illinois @abundanthousingil.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

Today, the Chicago Plan Commission APPROVED Fern Hill's Old Town Canvas development, located at 1600 North La Salle Drive! 🥳 🌆 🏗️ 349 new homes, including 70 affordable homes, are one step closer to reality in this high-opportunity, transit-oriented neighborhood. Next stop, Zoning Committee!

Rendering of Fern Hill’s Old Town development with an approved sticker

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Daniel Kay Hertz @danielkayhertz.bsky.social · 17/02/2025

As a private citizen, I submitted a comment to the Plan Commission in support of the Broadway rezoning--on both sides of Broadway medium.com/@DanielKayHe...

medium.com

Letter to the Plan Commission in support of the Broadway Land Use Framework

To the members of the Chicago Plan Commission:

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Abundant Housing Illinois @abundanthousingil.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

🚨 HOUSING WIN 🚨 For the first time in decades, a new high rise will be built in Chicago's Old Town neighborhood. This outcome, while reduced in scope from the original proposal, was made possible thanks to the dedicated efforts of our members. Read our full statement here:

buff.ly

Statement on Ald. Hopkins’ decision regarding the proposed homes located at 1600 N LaSalle

By Abundant Housing Illinois

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Abundant Housing Illinois @abundanthousingil.bsky.social · 25/01/2025

The same week that Alderman Hopkins rejected 500 new homes in Old Town, the Montgomery Ward building sold for *83% less* than its 2018 sale price. Aldermanic prerogative is speed-running Chicago to fiscal insolvency. www.chicagobusiness.com/commercial-r...

chicagobusiness.com

Former Groupon HQ sells for 83% less than 2018 price

A venture led by ex-NBA owner Robert Sarver bought the building at 600 W. Chicago Ave. from Sterling Bay, one of the most extreme cases of lost value in the vacancy-plagued downtown office market.

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Star:Line Chicago @starlinechicago.bsky.social · 24/01/2025

One of the biggest reasons why we’re [gestures wildly] here right now is because at some point we started worrying more about being performative than actually performing. We need to get back to getting shit done.

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Abundant Housing Illinois @abundanthousingil.bsky.social · 24/01/2025

After *three years* of negotiations, Alderman Brian Hopkins has killed the 500 home development proposed at North and LaSalle in Old Town. The project would have included 💯 affordable homes in one of Chicago’s most expensive neighborhoods. Wondering why we have a housing crisis? Look no further.

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Hunter @hunty12.bsky.social · 24/01/2025

As a 2nd Ward resident, I am disappointed to see this socially, fiscally, and environmentally irresponsible decision from Alderman Hopkins. Chicago’s pro-housing coalition is gaining momentum and we will remember this decision when he’s up for reelection in 2027.

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Michael McLean @michaelmclean.me · 23/12/2024

Since 2018 the cost of living has outpaced wage growth in Chicago 👎 24.7% inflation 👎 20.4% wage growth The biggest driver? Housing (or the lack of it) ‼️ 31.5% increase in housing costs!

Line chart showing five lines for the Chicago area (2018–2024): Shelter (orange) leads at +31.5%, outrunning overall inflation (+24.7%) and average hourly wages (+20.4%). “All items less shelter” is at +20.1%. Real wages in red have fallen to –3.3%. Housing costs outpacing wage growth is evident. Chart by Michael McLean (@mclean.bsky.social), using data from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Created with Datawrapper.

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Bryn Davidson - Lanefab @lanefab.com · 23/12/2024

Dreaming of the day when our buildings have electric cargo bike garages instead of parkades.

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Magdalen @atmosphaeria.bsky.social · 24/12/2024

IDK who needs to hear this, but you're allowed to like one part of a band's discography and not the other. You don't have to know the whole history of a band to be a fan. You can just simply LIKE the music. You don't need to know names of every album or song or band member. You can just LIKE music.

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Jason O. Gilbert @gilbertjasono.bsky.social · 21/12/2024

All the grocery store employees groan as I enter wearing this and head to the rotisserie chicken stand

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Jeremy Glover @jgrantglover.bsky.social · 18/12/2024

Fern Hill's "Old Town Canvas" (1610 N LaSalle) would add 500 units to a neighborhood that, despite recent growth, is still over 13k people below peak population. "But what about the cars?" What about them? Old Town has low rates of car ownership and especially low rates of car commuting.

Map showing percent of households with zero vehicles by census tract in Chicago

Map showing percent of workers who drive or carpool to work by census tract in Chicago

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Abundant Housing Illinois @abundanthousingil.bsky.social · 13/12/2024

"Businesses in Old Town should be excited about having a thousand new residents living nearby who can walk to their stores without needing to park a car. Our city needs developments like this. Let’s not let a love of cars come before a love of people." - Jim A. 👏 blockclubchicago.org/2024/12/12/o...

blockclubchicago.org

Old Town Neighbors Oppose Apartment Tower Plan Despite Positive Traffic Study Results

Results of the study, presented at a community meeting last week, found that traffic delays around the busy corridor would be reduced by as much as 75 percent with the proposed changes.

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Jeremy Glover @jgrantglover.bsky.social · 12/12/2024

Chicago's budget demands more property tax revenue, so City Council is set to do what they normally do: raise property taxes. But there's a 2nd option. Instead of raising the tax rate, we can grow the tax base. These dark green areas have high demand AND high value. Let's build!

A map of assessed value per acre in Chicago for the 2023 tax year displayed by census tract

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Yonah Freemark @yonahfreemark.com · 12/12/2024

Like in many US cities, in Chicago, housing development isn't spread evenly. Construction is intensely concentrated downtown. Meanwhile, wealthy, white areas have zoning that limits construction—while poor, nonwhite areas have high vacancy & little market demand. www.urban.org/urban-wire/z...

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Lex McMenamin (they/them) @lexmcmenamin.com · 11/12/2024

"We are better off doing with people who don’t share our political labels but nevertheless try to accomplish the same goals, the kind of organizing built into the culture of workers' unions, tenants' unions, debtors’ unions—collectives defined not by what their opinions are but by core goals."

teenvogue.com

The Bad Guys Don’t Really Care What Kind of Leftist You Are

Infighting is a waste of energy.

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Yonah Freemark @yonahfreemark.com · 11/12/2024

In new work @urbaninstitute.bsky.social, I examine development in Chicago, showing its “three cities”: —Intense development downtown —Development blocked by restrictive zoning in wealthy neighborhoods —Development nonexistent due to lack of market demand in poor areas www.urban.org/urban-wire/z...

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Abundant Housing Illinois @abundanthousingil.bsky.social · 11/12/2024

At tomorrow’s City Council meeting, we encourage attendees to ask that an alderperson motion to disapprove the zoning committee report from their meeting on Monday, 12/9/24. This would then give the City Council the opportunity to vote on the specific ordinance regarding 1840 N Marcey St 🏘️

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Leigh Giangreco @leighgiangreco.bsky.social · 09/12/2024

Chicago desperately needs more housing. But when it comes to building apartments, the city is its own worst enemy. My latest for @chicagomag.bsky.social www.chicagomag.com/chicago-maga...

chicagomag.com

How City Politics Has to Led to a Housing Shortage

Chicago desperately needs more housing. But when it comes to building apartments, the city is its own worst enemy.

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Neil Renic @ncrenic.bsky.social · 04/12/2024

Two stages of writing: 1) This shouldn't take too long 2) Oh no

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The Urbanist @theurbanist.org · 04/12/2024

That is a record high for Amtrak ridership, besting the last record set in 2019 with 32 million riders.

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Brent Toderian @brenttoderian.bsky.social · 03/12/2024

One of the most successful pedestrian streets in the world, the Strøget in Copenhagen, was filled with cars until a 2 year pedestrianization pilot project in 1962. The opposition argued “no cars means no business,” but the street has been a massive retail success, the city’s busiest shopping street.

The central square on the Stoget pedestrian shopping street from the air in central Copenhagen, filled with people

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