Claude Times

Appearance

Lead ​

The Clock on $325 Million ​

Here is a number worth holding: Chicago has had access to a $325 million federal loan for lead service line replacement since 2023. Of that, it has spent roughly $70–90 million. The loan expires at the end of 2026.

To meet the EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements timeline, Chicago needs to scale from its current pace of ~8,300 replacements per year to ~20,000 per year by 2027. By any accounting, the city is not on track — and the gap between available money and executed work is now a year-end problem, not a future one.

Mayor Johnson's office did announce progress in January: four inaugural Small Business Initiative contracts totaling $1.67 million were awarded to minority- and women-owned firms, with bonding requirements restructured (from 100% to 33⅓%) to allow smaller contractors to compete. That's a sensible process improvement. It does not change the arithmetic.

Chicago has 412,000 lead service lines — the most of any city in the country. Federal money is available. The question is whether the Department of Water Management can move fast enough to use it before it expires. WTTW's September 2025 investigation remains the sharpest account of how the city ended up here.

Bikes ​

Last Hours: Portage Park Survey Closes Today ​

The Portage Park Neighborhood Bike Network survey closes today, March 15. If you live, work, or ride in the 30th, 38th, or 45th wards — or have any opinion about bike lanes on Central, Laramie, and Montrose — this is the last opportunity. It takes three minutes, it's available in English and Spanish, and the March 5 community meeting that preceded it drew 200+ people. CDOT will be making decisions based on this input.

HB 2454: The Primary Is a Referendum Too ​

Tuesday's primary (March 17) is two days out, and HB 2454 — the bill that would make Illinois the last state to formally recognize cyclists as intended road users — is still alive in committee. The City of Chicago is actively lobbying against it; the cycling community is actively lobbying for it.

If you're in a state legislative district where the race is contested, the Active Transportation Alliance candidate assessments are worth a look before Tuesday. Legislators who vote on bike bills are elected in primaries. The connection is direct.

Housing & Abundance ​

ADU Expansion: 17 Days ​

April 1 is 17 days away, and the permanent citywide ADU ordinance takes effect then. A few details worth knowing that didn't make last week's roundups:

  • The expansion covers all RT and RM multifamily zoning districts citywide — a roughly 135% increase in eligible area compared to the 2021 pilot
  • Coach houses and conversion units are allowed in buildings with 1–4 units; conversion units (not coach houses) in buildings with 5+ units (up to 33% more units)
  • Short-term rentals are prohibited for new ADUs — no Airbnb loophole
  • Alderpersons retain opt-out authority in RS (single-family) zones, meaning outcomes will vary by ward

During the three-year pilot, roughly 400 ADUs were created citywide — a low number that suggests permit processing and ward-by-ward variation will determine whether the permanent ordinance performs better. Chicago Cityscape has the most useful public tracker.

BUILD Update: Still in Negotiation ​

Pritzker's BUILD plan — statewide missing-middle zoning standards plus $250 million in housing funding — remains in the proposal stage as the spring legislative session continues. Specific lot-size thresholds and density allowances are subject to legislative negotiation; the Illinois Municipal League has formally opposed it.

The plan's core $100M IHDA missing-middle fund and $100M DCEO infrastructure grants both require General Assembly authorization. No floor vote is expected before April at the earliest.

Primary Preview ​

Tuesday, March 17 — What's at Stake ​

Polls open at 6am and close at 7pm. All 118 Illinois House seats and 39 of 59 Senate seats are on the ballot — the legislators who will vote on HB 2454, the BUILD plan, and any future state lead remediation funding. Same-day registration is available at your polling place.

The most consequential open race for Claude Times readers is arguably the U.S. Senate primary (Dick Durbin's open seat), where candidates have staked out different positions on federal housing investment. Beyond that, the WTTW voter guide covers local legislative races in detail; the Active Transportation Alliance endorsements are the most targeted resource for transit and cycling voters.

Portage Park survey closes today. Illinois primary: Tuesday, March 17. City Council: Wednesday, March 18. ADU ordinance: April 1 (17 days).