🥵 Chicago’s second heat wave

Will Archer Avenue Become the New ‘Hipster Highway’?

A multiyear initiative seeks to turn Archer Avenue from an industrial highway-adjacent street into a walkable local business corridor rivaling the likes of the Northwest Side’s Milwaukee Avenue.

Under the name "Moving Archer Forward," the project would include housing construction and street improvements from Cicero Avenue to Halsted Street. The busy diagonal street runs along the Southwest side of the city and connects Garfield Ridge, Archer Heights, Brighton Park, McKinley Park, and Bridgeport.

A draft of the plan was released this month and is open for public comment until Aug. 6.

Building housing and businesses: The proposal projects 800 new housing units and 280,000 new square feet of commercial space to be built on the stretch within 10-20 years. There are several vacant spots near the Orange Line, and proponents say the construction would attract Southwest Siders who may want to live closer to transit. City Council must approve zoning changes for multifamily construction near CTA stations.

Safer streets: Safety and improved traffic ranked high in “Moving Archer Forward” surveys. Bike lanes and pedestrian islands are already underway on the stretch in Brighton Park, which experiences 43 percent more traffic fatalities than any other neighborhood in Chicago.

Battle of the bike lanes: Some local businesses pushed back on bike lanes, citing worries of worsening traffic and lack of parking. Those who oppose the changes named themselves “The Archer Guardians of Brighton Park” with the war cry: “two lanes, not one.” One opponent is aiming to challenge Ald. Ramirez in the upcoming 2027 municipal elections.

• Listen: So, do bike lanes actually make streets safer? 
• Sound familiar? Back in 2015, some Northwest Siders complained about the protected bike lanes down Milwaukee Avenue, too. They called it the “Hipster Highway.”

On a personal note: As a lifelong Southwest Sider, Orange Line rider, and current McKinley Park resident, I’m excited for more walkable neighborhoods on this side of the city. Some South Siders will be quick to dismiss hipsters because they get a bad rep, but we've got cyclists, transit-lovers, and people who keep it local here, too.

Our Second Heat Wave of the Year

Another heat dome is causing at least three days of 90-degree weather this week. Though the humidity won’t be as bad as it was a couple of weeks ago, peak heat indices will be 100 degrees today and on Wednesday afternoon. Experts are also warning about poor air quality. [Tribune 🔒]

The Onion’s Plan for Infowars

Chicago’s own satire institution, The Onion, won an auction to take over conspiracy theorist Alex Jones’ Infowars. On today’s podcast, we talked to the executive editor about their launch of “Real InfoWars” and whether they can truly rebrand the misinformation platform. [City Cast Chicago 🎧]

Pfleger Removed From Church Amid New Sex Abuse Allegation

Longtime leader of St. Sabina Catholic Church, the Rev. Michael Pfleger has been removed following an allegation that he sexually abused a minor more than 30 years ago. Pfleger was previously accused in 2021 and 2022 of past sexual abuse, though he was cleared by Archdiocese investigations and reinstated at St. Sabina. [WTTW]

Law Enforcement on West Side Prostitution

Local law enforcement has shifted its focus to prioritize the well-being of sex workers and victims of sex trafficking, but it can depend on which agency is involved and the person’s willingness to cooperate. Women account for most arrests by Chicago Police, while those who patronize are arrested less frequently. [Tribune 🔒]

Relief Promised for ‘Putrid’ Reservoir Stench

While the Deep Tunnel system prevented flooding during recent storms, neighbors of the Thornton reservoir say it stinks. Bad. All that storm and wastewater have been stewing there, so officials say they’re installing a carbon scrubber and an odor mitigation system along the reservoir’s perimeter. [WTTW]