In a near-unanimous special session vote in Illinois, the state congress overrode Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s veto and passed a statewide complete streets law. Effective immediately, the law requires the Illinois Department of Transportation to improve safety and accessibility for bicyclists, pedestrians, motorists and transit riders in all new urban construction and reconstruction projects. Although other cities and states have implemented complete streets pieces of legislation, Illinois is the first to do so statewide. Its passage is being heralded as a triumph of the complete streets movement, which began in 2003. This legislative victory promises more sidewalks, bicycle lanes, crosswalks, wide shoulders, special bus lanes and pullouts, raised crosswalks, audible pedestrian signals and other complete streets design elements.

Vote Result

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