Northwoods, WI

Blog

Check out the latest updates and in-depth stories from our staff and colleagues in the Midwest.

Explore the full collection below, or feel free to filter for particular states or issues.

Viewing posts by Kevin Brubaker. View all posts
Story

Dreaming of a Rail Renaissance

Amtrak's long-distance passenger rail network provides millions of Americans with transportation options other than a personal vehicle. For the first time in 50 years, we can seriously consider an expansion.

8/8/23

Kevin Brubaker

ELPC Turns 30

30 years of Advocating for “Fix it First” Transportation Policy

A look back on how ELPC has held the line on roadway expansion and shaped the conversation for better transportation.

3/13/23

Kevin Brubaker

Testimony

Chicagoland needs a clear plan to solve the transit challenges ahead

From reliability and ridership to safety and staffing, we need clear steps to reach our regional goals, but today’s approved plan provides mostly platitudes

2/16/23

Kevin Brubaker

Story

Improving Chicago’s Union Station is a Win for the Whole Midwest

Union Station Access Project will have region-wide benefits. It’s just one of several projects to improve passenger rail across the Midwest thanks to new federal infrastructure funds.

9/2/22

Kevin Brubaker

Update

Get ready! Midwest rail projects are ready to roll

Federal infrastructure funding opens soon, offering a once-in-a-generation opportunity to revamp passenger rail in the Midwest. Here's where we should start

5/31/22

Kevin Brubaker

Update

Chicagoland coalition calls to stop road boondoggles in regional planning

Wider roads only make transportation issues worse, we must invest in safety, equity, and sustainability.

5/3/22

Kevin Brubaker

Story

Treating Transportation as if the Climate Mattered

Transportation is now the leading source of climate change pollution. But you wouldn’t know it from the actions of our government.

3/3/22

Kevin Brubaker

Update

Chicago Needs Serious Transit Planning

Public transportation is at a crossroads, but RTA is dropping the ball on strategic planning, here’s what the region really needs for a strong, sustainable transit future

2/23/22

Kevin Brubaker

Update

Good News Abounds for Passenger Rail in the Midwest

From faster trains to more frequent service, the Midwest is seeing improvements in passenger rail left and right, with more to come soon!

2/6/22

Kevin Brubaker

Story

New Regional Rail Plan is a Win for the Midwest

Federal Railroad Administration study affirms regional rail network is stronger than the sum of its parts, high speed rail is on the horizon.

10/14/21

Kevin Brubaker

Story

Pace is going electric! Zero emission suburban bus fleet by 2040

New commitment to clean transportation is good for public health across the region, starting in the environmental justice community of Waukegan, IL

9/23/21

Kevin Brubaker

Story

Transit Standards Should Focus on Outcomes not just Outputs

In planning for a post-pandemic world that is increasingly threatened by climate change, transit improvements have never been more important. But RTA’s proposed “performance-based standards” would just maintain the status quo.

7/1/21

Kevin Brubaker

Story

It’s time for a Rail Revolution

Plans to improve our passenger rail network would improve mobility and create jobs. This is welcome news in the Midwest.

5/11/21

Kevin Brubaker

Update

Let’s be smart about federal transportation funding

Chicago-area organizations advocate for fix-it-first transportation funding, sound financial planning, and transparency in new reauthorization and appropriations bills.

3/24/21

Kevin Brubaker

Update

Chicago transportation organizations praise thoughtful transit funding dispersal

ELPC and a coalition of Chicago-area organizations sent a letter supporting the Regional Transportation Authority's data-driven approach to COVID relief transit funding.

3/10/21

Kevin Brubaker

Story

Memo from the Midwest: What the Biden administration should prioritize to improve transportation

As the transportation crossroads of America, the Midwest can lead our nation in addressing environmental challenges. We look forward to working with the Biden administration and Congress to find win-win solutions.

2/2/21

Kevin Brubaker

Victory

Amtrak On-Time Performance

After a decade of litigation by ELPC and others, on-time performance standards will make a huge improvement in passenger rail across America.

1/18/21

Kevin Brubaker

Update

Facing the Public Transit Funding Cliff

Public transportation faces a looming financial crisis. ELPC is leading a Chicago coalition that encourages the Regional Transit Agency to look beyond just federal assistance to deal with the multiple crises facing transit.

12/15/20

Kevin Brubaker

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