What types of transportation do you use during an average week, and how has this shaped your view of transportation policy?

I take the “L” and ride Divvy bikes and my own bicycle as much as I can to get around. Admittedly, my daily routines see me riding the bus much less frequently, and I do wind up driving my electric vehicle a fair amount more than I might otherwise prefer due to logistics challenges related to being a working parent. But my preference is to rely on public transportation and I have been a lifelong public transit rider, having gone several years happily owning no car earlier in my adulthood.

What are some transportation challenges in your district?

Much of the 8th District is heavily reliant on cars as a primary mode of transportation. While bus access, and more recently Divvy access, is generally available throughout the District, there is very limited “L” or Metra access. Even where good public transit options are available, they may not always be well suited to accommodate people with certain impairments or those traveling with children. While the passage of the recent transportation bill in Springfield offers hope for a brighter public transit future, ridership decreases, inconsistent service, and uneven investment in public transit infrastructure in recent years have only further reduced the likelihood of 8th District residents being able to opt for reliable public transit. The District, perhaps not surprisingly, also sees a high number of traffic accidents relative to most other parts of the city. Residents of our area deserve fast, frequent, safe transit as well as a connected network of active transit paths as realistic alternatives to car ownership alone.

Cook County residents often find their local roadways fall under multiple different jurisdictions and standards. How do you view the County’s role in ensuring consistent, safe, and accessible transportation for constituents?

The County should be a key facilitator in ensuring that services are consistent across jurisdictions. As Commissioner, I will be eager to assist with the broader implementation of Senate Bill 2111 and will support and advocate for the new Northern Illinois Transit Authority’s establishment of universal fare systems, coordinated public transit schedules, and system-wide safety programs. I will also advocate for close, efficient coordination with the City of Chicago and other municipalities and local government organizations to invest in sustainable infrastructure projects that promote greater public transit access, bike and pedestrian paths, and traffic safety. In particular, we need to ensure that County resources - like the Forest Preserves - safely connect with existing active transportation infrastructure and transit routes. In all approaches, it will be critical to take a long-term view in planning and project development to ensure consistency of access as well as continuity and resiliency in our transportation investments.

What can Cook County do to stabilize and expand access to bikeshare programs that span municipalities?

Bikeshare programs are an outstanding option for residents throughout that County and should without a doubt be stabilized and expanded. To do so, the County should use data-driven decision-making to determine the areas most in need of bike stations and services, looking at variables like traffic patterns, population densities, areas that may be currently underserved, proximities to other modes of transit for facilitation of multi-modal transportation, and more. Expansion efforts should also include educational outreach and community engagement to help spread awareness and overcome any stigma or lack of familiarity with the benefits of bikeshare programs, and we need to maintain a commitment to expanded bike lanes and other infrastructure that supports biking as a primary mode of transit. All of these efforts should be pursued in coordination with municipalities and local government agencies to maximize consistency ensure that bikesharing can flourish County-wide. The County should explore incentivizing smaller municipalities to opt-in to Divvy with either matching funds for safe streets infrastructure or direct matching funds for the bike-share implementation.

What role can the County play in bringing funding sources and revenue streams to county transportation projects?

The County should be focusing on pro-growth and pro-development policies that invite a growing population and anticipate a changing climate. The most important variable in sourcing more revenue at the County level is going to be making it easier for families to settle, live, and build here in Cook County, thereby expanding the tax base and raising funds for transportation projects. The changing climate is going to see a large number of climate refugees coming to places like the Great Lakes region, and if we are bold and forward looking, Cook County will invest in the housing and transportation infrastructure needed to welcome those future residents. There are responsible and equitable approaches to sourcing revenue implemented in other cities and counties around the country that we may be able to model, but regardless of which revenue-generating policies we pursue the County should be prepared to responsibly chart its own course on raising revenue, and cannot not plan on receiving any federal support in the near future.

Cook County has a history of innovating access to public services, including public transit – such as the Fair Transit South Cook pilot. As commissioner, what are ways you envision the County innovating on transportation?

As noted above, the County needs to take a long-term view of its transportation project investments, and should be prepared for an expanding population and a changing climate. That means making a firm commitment to sustainable, resilient roads and public transportation systems that are safe for all users - not just drivers of large cars. We should create the conditions to allow mobility-as-a-service, electric vehicles fleets and expanded charging systems networks, expanded bikeshare options, and all other non-fossil-fuel related modes of transit to flourish. In turn, that requires prioritization of expanded, weather-resilient pedestrian and bike ways, connectivity, and WiFi infrastructure (e.g., mode share counters) that allows commuters improved experience while also allowing the County to better monitor traffic patterns and adjust routes in real time, and a number of other structural investments. Where appropriate we should incentivize and welcome private sector innovation provided there are appropriate guardrails to ensure innovation doesn’t come at the cost of safety or equity. Lastly, we should seek and utilize sustainable and durable building materials to ensure that our investments today will endure. In all aspects, Cook County can and should be leading the way on responsible, sustainable transportation innovation.