Chicago would be a better place if.... (Oak Park, Rock Island: section 8, neighborhoods)

[Runuova]

After reading a few threads over the last year, I have noticed that a few of you have pretty good insite as to how to handle some of Chicago's most pressing issues. I'm starting this thread to gather some solutions to a few of them.

1) Beautification

2) "Bad" neighborhoods

3) Public transportation

4) CPS

And any other idea/solutions to make Chicago a better place.

[Vlajos]

Schools are definitely a major factor. I like the list!

[jwaiter]

As a carless inhabitant, I would be a happier camper if I didn't have to wait 15 minutes (and more) for a bus to come around!!!

[Gunner0325]

I would be so happy if they "timed" the stoplights better on the major roads like Ashland, Damen etc...Nothing is more frustrating then stopping every half block at a light

[SJaye]

Originally Posted by Runuova

1) Beautification

To be honest, I don't think this is much of an issue for Chicago at this point in time. Sure, there are some parts of the city that look pretty run down, and it has been shown that making an area look nicer can have a positive effect on an area. But, in the nicer neighborhoods of the city, I don't think we really need to be putting resources into beautification. So, I'd combine this with #2...

Originally Posted by Runuova

2) "Bad" neighborhoods

Probably the most complex of the problems, as a lot of the poverty/attitudes in some of these neighborhoods are systematic, and have been around for many generations. Chicago's bad neighborhood problems are probably cause by almost the same factors as every other city in the US. Attitudes need to be changed on a much larger societal scale, or if Chicago can just rid itself of the people that cause neighborhoods to be bad (ala Manhattan pricing them out).

Originally Posted by Runuova

3) Public transportation

If we had money... here is what I would do.

1- More reverse commute trains on METRA (also, maybe a few more weekend trains).

2- Better connections between METRA and CTA. (downtown, Ravenswood area UP-N and Brown line, BNSF and Pink or Orange line, bridge between the Rock Island line and the Red and Green lines near US Cellular Field)

3- Build a few more lines, including extending the Brown line to Jeff Park along the E-W Corridor it currently runs on just south of Lawrence, some kind of circle line that also connects METRA stops, a line between O'Hare and Midway that connects with the Green or Blue line in Oak Park, maybe, also, a Green line spur to Hyde Park.

4- I know you said public transportation, but I think it would also help to continue to improve bicycling facilities and build a few more highways around the entire METRO to reduce congestion.

Originally Posted by Runuova

4) CPS

CPS needs more local and parental control, less bureaucracy, less people getting ahead by means of political connections, school choice, and probably also less influence from the unions. The city should definitely have more than one school district, probably a lot more. The magnet school system needs to be merit based and nothing more... no lottery system, a lottery is gambling and no responsible parent gambles their child's education.

I would also personally like Chicago better without the 3% soda tax, and a host of other taxes placed on certain items that whatever "powers that be" deem necessary, probably without the political system the way it is in general to be honest. Corruption here is just tolerated, considered part of life, but it bleeds a lot of money, making the price of everything higher, and the city would be a better place without it.

[mattywo85]

1) The school system is terrible
2) Incentives for businesses or individuals to move to Chicago would help.

[Halsted]

The school system is great if you're really lucky

[strumpeace]

Chicago would be a better place if...

I lived there.

[RansackedMuse]

Better Bike Lanes, like the new Kinzie Bike Lane

[Aleking]

TIFs...they gotta go. CHA/Section 8....they gotta go. Circle line...gotta get it.

Lots of problems solved right there.