Trending...
- Naperville Police Host College Safety Webinar for Students and Parents on July 31
- Open Appeal: Renew Indian Passports by Citizenship, Not Immigration Status
- AF 5.0: Why AF5.0 Is Becoming a Core Platform for Quantitative Education
CHICAGO ~ Chicago Mayor Takes Major Steps to Make City More Accessible for People with Disabilities
In honor of Disability Pride Month, Mayor Brandon Johnson has announced a series of new initiatives and investments aimed at making Chicago a more accessible city for its residents with disabilities. These efforts demonstrate the mayor's commitment to standing up for the most vulnerable members of the community.
One of the major steps taken by Mayor Johnson was the opening of four newly-renovated Red Line stations on Monday. The mayor was joined by Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) acting President Nora Leerhsen and other elected officials for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. These modernized stations are now fully-accessible with escalators, elevators, and wider platforms, making it easier for people with disabilities to use public transportation. This is the first time since 1993 that this many stations have been opened at once.
The project also included reconstruction of the Red and Purple Line Express track structure and installation of a new signal system, which will provide smoother, quieter, and more reliable rides for CTA customers. With these new accessible stations, over 75 percent of CTA rail stations are now accessible to people with disabilities. The CTA is also working towards securing funding and planning to make all stations fully accessible as part of their All Stations Accessibility Plan (ASAP).
More on illi News
In addition to improving accessibility on public transportation, Mayor Johnson also signed an executive order on Tuesday directing resources towards building a "Safe and Smoke-Free" transit system. This order directs the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) and Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) to assist the CTA in their efforts to eliminate smoking on trains. The mayor has also instructed his Intergovernmental Affairs team to work with legislators in Springfield to ensure adequate funding is provided for CTA and regional transit systems, including resources for enforcing the smoking ban.
On Tuesday, Mayor Johnson joined the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) and MOPD Commissioner Rachel Arfa to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) at Malcolm X College. The event honored community partners, recognized innovative employment programs, and showcased visual and performing disabled artists. This year also marks the 35th anniversary of the formation of MOPD, which is the largest municipal office devoted to disability services in the nation.
In a panel discussion on youth disability employment prior to the ceremony, representatives and graduates from After 22, One Summer Chicago, and Project Wright Access shared their experiences. Mayor Johnson has consistently advocated for additional resources for returning residents and created the City's first Office of Re-Entry specifically to serve their needs.
More on illi News
On Wednesday, Mayor Johnson announced a historic $40 million investment in capital improvement funding to modernize homeless shelter facilities throughout Chicago. This is the largest investment into shelter infrastructure in the city's history. The mayor made this announcement at St. Leonard's Ministries on the Near West Side, a shelter that has been serving returning residents for over 70 years. This investment will support major improvements to seven shelters across Chicago, providing more than 750 permanent shelter beds and developing over 350 non-congregate beds for individuals and families.
During an interview with WVON's Matt McGill, Mayor Johnson emphasized that these investments are not just about improving infrastructure but also about ensuring every Chicagoan can live securely with dignity. He stated that these efforts are in line with what the people of Chicago have asked him to do - reopen mental health clinics, expand programs like CARE, and make historic investments into homeless shelters.
The mayor also highlighted some of the challenges faced by residents in these shelters before these improvements were made. For example, women had to walk through men's corridors to get to their beds at one facility, while others had no dining area or air conditioning. These investments are not only about providing better facilities but also about giving dignity to the people of Chicago.
Mayor Johnson's commitment to making Chicago a more accessible and inclusive city for people with disabilities is evident through these initiatives and investments. As he continues to work towards this goal, the mayor is ensuring that the most vulnerable members of the community are not left behind.
In honor of Disability Pride Month, Mayor Brandon Johnson has announced a series of new initiatives and investments aimed at making Chicago a more accessible city for its residents with disabilities. These efforts demonstrate the mayor's commitment to standing up for the most vulnerable members of the community.
One of the major steps taken by Mayor Johnson was the opening of four newly-renovated Red Line stations on Monday. The mayor was joined by Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) acting President Nora Leerhsen and other elected officials for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. These modernized stations are now fully-accessible with escalators, elevators, and wider platforms, making it easier for people with disabilities to use public transportation. This is the first time since 1993 that this many stations have been opened at once.
The project also included reconstruction of the Red and Purple Line Express track structure and installation of a new signal system, which will provide smoother, quieter, and more reliable rides for CTA customers. With these new accessible stations, over 75 percent of CTA rail stations are now accessible to people with disabilities. The CTA is also working towards securing funding and planning to make all stations fully accessible as part of their All Stations Accessibility Plan (ASAP).
More on illi News
- Bent Danholm To Be Featured On Global Podcast Network In Live Interview
- AdvoCast Expands Leadership in Strategic Comms with New Role Producing "Communication Breakdown" Podcast
- InventHelp Inventor Develops Wearable Tracking Device (CHK-2215)
- Naperville: Structure Fire in the 1000 Block of Frances Court
- Rocket.Chat assessed "Awardable" for Department of Defense work in the CDAO's Tradewinds Solutions Marketplace
In addition to improving accessibility on public transportation, Mayor Johnson also signed an executive order on Tuesday directing resources towards building a "Safe and Smoke-Free" transit system. This order directs the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) and Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) to assist the CTA in their efforts to eliminate smoking on trains. The mayor has also instructed his Intergovernmental Affairs team to work with legislators in Springfield to ensure adequate funding is provided for CTA and regional transit systems, including resources for enforcing the smoking ban.
On Tuesday, Mayor Johnson joined the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) and MOPD Commissioner Rachel Arfa to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) at Malcolm X College. The event honored community partners, recognized innovative employment programs, and showcased visual and performing disabled artists. This year also marks the 35th anniversary of the formation of MOPD, which is the largest municipal office devoted to disability services in the nation.
In a panel discussion on youth disability employment prior to the ceremony, representatives and graduates from After 22, One Summer Chicago, and Project Wright Access shared their experiences. Mayor Johnson has consistently advocated for additional resources for returning residents and created the City's first Office of Re-Entry specifically to serve their needs.
More on illi News
- Suburban Orthopaedics Expands Foot and Ankle Team with Fellowship-Trained Surgeon Shoueb Malik, DPM
- Rising Home Values Aren't Preventing Foreclosures
- Success for Global Communications Leader IQSTEL, Inc. Growing From $13 Million Revenue in 2018 to Nearly $300 Million Last Year
- Designer Creates 100 Free Posters for Black Business Month
- Artbound: "The Cheech" Awarded Two 2025 LA Area EMMY Awards — Honored in ARTS & MUSIC COMPOSITION
On Wednesday, Mayor Johnson announced a historic $40 million investment in capital improvement funding to modernize homeless shelter facilities throughout Chicago. This is the largest investment into shelter infrastructure in the city's history. The mayor made this announcement at St. Leonard's Ministries on the Near West Side, a shelter that has been serving returning residents for over 70 years. This investment will support major improvements to seven shelters across Chicago, providing more than 750 permanent shelter beds and developing over 350 non-congregate beds for individuals and families.
During an interview with WVON's Matt McGill, Mayor Johnson emphasized that these investments are not just about improving infrastructure but also about ensuring every Chicagoan can live securely with dignity. He stated that these efforts are in line with what the people of Chicago have asked him to do - reopen mental health clinics, expand programs like CARE, and make historic investments into homeless shelters.
The mayor also highlighted some of the challenges faced by residents in these shelters before these improvements were made. For example, women had to walk through men's corridors to get to their beds at one facility, while others had no dining area or air conditioning. These investments are not only about providing better facilities but also about giving dignity to the people of Chicago.
Mayor Johnson's commitment to making Chicago a more accessible and inclusive city for people with disabilities is evident through these initiatives and investments. As he continues to work towards this goal, the mayor is ensuring that the most vulnerable members of the community are not left behind.
0 Comments
Latest on illi News
- Private Autopsies Provide Families in Colorado with Answers and Closure
- Vijay Tirathrai named Managing Director in Dubai, UAE
- How smart women use BAY Miner cloud mining to easily earn Bitcoin every day
- Qualis LLC Appoints Jeremy Mallicoat as Chief Financial Officer to Advance Growth and Acquisition Strategy
- Bynn Intelligence Reinvents Document Fraud Detection with Groundbreaking Acquisition and Revolutionary AI Model
- Mentor Agile Says WIOA‑Funded Seats Still Available for Summer Product‑Owner
- 2A Commerce Launches Firearms eCommerce Platform
- GOAT SKIN® Launches the Campaign Tee: A Sovereign Statement in Luxury Apparel
- Midwest Pond Features & Landscape Says "We're Ready for Repairs"
- Brianne Zitko Named Winner of 2025 Great Companies International Women Entrepreneur Award
- 4Closure Rescue Expands Foreclosure Support Services to Underserved Communities Across the U.S
- Premier Protein® and Milk Bar® Launch New "Power Hour" Protein Menu
- Exposing Psychiatric Abuse, CCHR Has Pushed for Global Human Rights Protections
- Spur Chicago Builds Momentum Through Summer Field Collaborations
- RDG Mining launches 1-day XRP、BTC mining contract, XRP short-term investment users surge 500%
- Donna Cardellino and Paul Lafrance Sign Exclusive Deal for Worldwide Expansion into Commercial and Luxury Real Estate Design Projects
- New Book "Three Permissions" Redefines Self-Leadership for a Burnout-Weary Culture
- Opening a new era of USDC smart cloud mining: CJB Crypto makes digital dollar earnings within reach
- The Evolution of the BDCV Platform: Empowering Mental Health & Wellness
- DFS Fullcolor Printing by Inkdnylon | Nationwide Print Partner