Strong Towns Elgin

08/08/2024

Tonight!

06/17/2024

Bike Lanes!

Our voice is being heard. Keep coming to meetings and being vocal. When concerned citizens speak up, the city learns what we want. We are not the only voice in Elgin, but we raise it in chorus with all the other organizations promoting a healthier, more sustainable, and enduring city.

Thank you - keep up the good work.

For some context, we've had bike lanes for years in the downtown and other areas of the city, but last year our public works department committed to painting them green in 2024. Chicago street can be dangerous as a bike rider because you're sharing a complicated intersection with cars. We hope the green paint will bring attention to the bicycles sharing the road. We look forward to separated bike lanes, the removal of stoplights in favor of stop signs, and other infrastructure projects in the future, but paint is a low-cost investment that can easily be undone if we want to make changes.

06/05/2024

We love the train, but if you're new to public transportation, this is an excellent opportunity to get acquainted.

🤔Have you been wanting to visit Elgin but don't want to drive? Metra is offering free rides to passengers on Saturday, June 8, and Sunday, June 9! 🎉

More information here: https://bit.ly/3yOyJL2

05/14/2024

Build more homes! Streamlining the permitting process by removing red tape can help developers get shovels in the ground faster. This means more housing options for our communities, fostering growth and economic opportunity.

02/25/2024

#5 - Allow Mixed-Use Development

Here are some of the benefits:

Vibrant communities: Mixed-use development creates walkable, lively neighborhoods where people can live, work, shop, and play all in one place. This fosters a strong sense of community and belonging.

Reduced traffic: By having amenities close by, residents are less reliant on cars, leading to less traffic congestion and pollution.

Economic opportunity: Mixed-use developments attract a wider range of businesses, creating more jobs and economic opportunities for everyone.

Stronger local economies: When people can spend their money locally, it strengthens the overall economy of the community.

More livable spaces: Mixed-use development creates more interesting and human-scaled places to live, which can improve people's quality of life.

02/01/2024

#4 Safe and Productive Streets for All

Unfortunately, you can't patrol your way out of speeding and accidents. However, you can redesign the streets to slow drivers, make pedestrians and cyclists visible, grant access and right of way to public transportation, and remove barriers for people of all abilities to get from place to place.

01/10/2024

This is what our group is all about. We want Elgin to be an amazing place to live for everyone, now and in the future.
#2024

11/05/2023

A Community Visioning Session for the North River Grove Riverfront Property will be held on November 11, 2023. Hosted by the community for the community.

El 11 de noviembre de 2023 se llevará a cabo una sesión de visión comunitaria para la propiedad North River Grove Riverfront. Organizada por la comunidad para la comunidad.

11/03/2023

#3 Allow Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)

Did you know that the doesn't allow ADUs?

For me, that means that my aging parents will likely end up in an assisted home.😥
If I could add a small dwelling in my backyard, I could give them an accessible home and could help them with daily tasks. It would mean more time together rather than isolation. I could help with their care rather than burdening the government.

What might that mean for you?
◾ Harder to get childcare, as family isn't close enough to help.
◾ Moving out of your home when financial situations change.
◾ Aging in place is more difficult.
◾ Less affordable options for adult children in college.

11/02/2023

#2 End Parking Mandates

Did you know that the city of still has parking requirements, despite a high volume of exceptions processed every year?

I like to ask, if everything is an exception, what good is the rule? 🤔

"Everything" is, of course, hyperbole, but the tides are turning on parking and the way we think of parking. As an example: Walmart has committed to reducing its parking lots and even hired a director of employee mobility❗

Want to learn more?
◾ Elgin, Illinois - Code of Ordinances Title 19 - ZONING (has parking requirements sprinkled throughout many of its chapters.)
◾ End Parking Mandates and Subsidies by Strong Towns
◾ The Pseudoscience of Parking Requirements by Parking Reform Network
◾ Walmart hired a director of employee mobility to change its commuting culture - HR Brew