The approval of TIF money to fund the southern expansion of the Red Line could have a big impact on the historic public housing community of Altgeld Gardens.
Historically, the Far South Side of Chicago hasn’t gotten its fair share of of bikeways. Reasons for that range from the fact that local wards have more square mileage than elsewhere in the city, which means that discretionary “menu” funds for infrastructure are spread thinner, to aldermen who have been apathetic about, or downright hostile to, proposals to improve cycling.
Many Far South Siders can share the credit for attitudes towards cycling changing in recent years. But if there’s one person who epitomizes grassroots efforts to get bike resources south of Marquette Drive, it’s Deloris Lucas, leader of the Riverdale-based bike and wellness group We Keep You Rollin’. Ms. Lucas has tirelessly and successfully lobbied the Chicago Department of Transportation for bike education and infrastructure in her part of town, including last year’s expansion of the Divvy system into the area.