Annual city audit shows Chicago on the road to post-pandemic recovery

One thing that jumps out to me -- Chicago spent $240M on infrastructure projects, and $188M was road surface reconditioning and repaving.

HOLY SHIT, roads cost a ton. More reason to entice people to use the CTA, implement new bus only lanes/​streets, and get out of cars! Imagine if we spend 70% of our infrastructure money on the CTA infrastructure projects!

Edit: maybe CTA capital projects are in a different category?

Edit2: yes I'm aware that emergency and delivery vehicles need the roads. It jumped out to me more so because our infrastructure projects are not actually improvements, but actually maintenance. It makes me rethink how in the future, we should think before any road expansion, dedicate more roads to be no vehicles except in emergency situations, more bike lane coverage, etc.

Recovery?! No… it can’t be. I was told that Chicago was a failing city overrun by sin and crime! Essentially Detroit with an extra baseball team!

Chicago police officers made 38,400 “physical arrests” in 2021, down 26.6% from the year before and 57% from 2019. In 2012, there were 145,390 physical arrests.

JUST...... WOW

how can ANYONE defend that? Even TRYING to put the blame ANYWHERE ELSE is just... FUCKING ABSURD

I'd like to see more bike lanes that have a barrier.

Wait but Fox News just had an article saying businesses were fleeing and that Chicago was in a doom spiral?

So confused right now, what should I believe? Actual statistic analysis of the city, or a sensationalized click driven media company trying to push a narrative?

The trolls from /r/​Chicago sure aren't going to like this good news.

Of course it's not all good news. Pensions are still terrible and the article correctly calls out JB for making it worse, but the article also gives Lori credit, which again, subreddit trolls are going to hate.

Popcorn's flowing. 🍿

I am no fan of the mayor, but COVID dominated her first term, and cannot be ignored with respect to fiscal management and decision-making. Whatever agenda she may have had was completely upended by the realities of pandemic response. Even if it is used as an excuse, it is still true, and Chicago is emerging intact.

Do I think she would have had a successful first term without the COVID emergency ? No. She just does not have the temperament or negotiation skills or even vision to take Chicago forward. It feels more like the city somehow squeaks through regardless of her, not because of her or her abilities.