Transportation advocates urge the Johnson administration to appoint a bold and visionary leader as Chicago Department of Transportation Commissioner
With the announcement of the resignation of Gia Biagi as Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Transportation, advocates are reflecting on the outgoing Commissioner’s tenure and the long road of advocacy that has brought us to this moment – as well as the road ahead.
Leading CDOT is a significant undertaking, and we thank Commissioner Biagi for choosing to serve over the past four years. Important strides were made under her leadership in beginning to center equitable investments in disinvested communities and to mend the often contentious relationship the Department has had with advocates and community members. We wish her well in her next chapter.
We urge Mayor Brandon Johnson to carefully consider his next appointment for CDOT Commissioner, as it will be one of his most consequential. Transportation touches every aspect of Chicagoans’ lives, and enacting transformational change to our streets will be a cornerstone to addressing many of our City’s challenges — from environmental, climate, racial and disability justice, to affordable housing, education, labor rights and beyond.
Chicago needs a CDOT Commissioner who will:
Lead with a spirit of compassion and collaboration. Community and advocate voices should be heard and uplifted. Interagency collaboration must be a focus: CDOT cannot enact the impactful change our City needs on its own.
Center people over the movement of private automobiles. For decades the scales have been tipped in one direction. It’s time to tip them back through safe and accessible infrastructure investments.
Be bold and empowered. Our problems are big, and so must be our solutions. Be willing to take risks, learn from peer cities – and adopt best practices for all communities.
Re-think Vision Zero. The program intended to reduce traffic fatalities to zero has instead achieved zero progress, with City data showing a 17% increase in fatalities since its introduction in 2017. It’s time for a different approach to eliminating traffic violence.
Commit to racial equity and mobility justice. CDOT must formalize a comprehensive, sincere, and unflinching commitment to racial equity and mobility justice in Chicago's transportation system to dismantle structural racism, remove racialized inequities, and improve life outcomes for racially marginalized communities.
This is a critical moment for our City. Pedestrian and cyclist deaths are at record highs. The CTA needs significant support from CDOT to upgrade and expand its system. Our climate crisis demands change, and we have entire communities with inadequate access to transit – or even sidewalks. Addressing these challenges will require bold, courageous, and visionary leadership from Mayor Johnson and his next-appointed CDOT Commissioner – and advocates stand ready to work alongside them.
Signed:
Better Streets Chicago
Access Living
Active Transportation Alliance
Chicago, Bike Grid Now!
Chicago Family Biking
Commuters Take Action
Environmental Law & Policy Center
The Equiticity Racial Equity Movement
Elevated Chicago
High Speed Rail Alliance
Metropolitan Planning Council
Northwest Center
Sierra Club Chicago
Shared-Use Mobility Center
The Southwest Collective
Urban Environmentalists Illinois