Stop Archer Ave From Being Reduced to One Lane

Recent signers:
Katia Gutierrez and 19 others have signed recently.

The Issue

Imagine being stuck in a never-ending traffic jam on your daily commute, unable to reach your destination on time, and feeling the frustration mount with every passing minute. For so many of us, this is a looming reality as major avenues face the threat of being reduced to a single lane. This isn't just a minor inconvenience; it's a major disruption that could affect thousands of daily commuters and their families.

One-lane avenues are not only a recipe for chaos but also a significant risk to public safety. With traffic congestion likely to skyrocket, emergency vehicles such as ambulances, fire trucks, and police cars will find it almost impossible to navigate through. Imagine the delay in critical rescue operations, where every second counts.

Multiple studies have shown that reducing lanes can lead to increased traffic congestion and can severely hinder emergency response times. According to the Federal Highway Administration, efficient traffic flow is crucial not only for daily commuters but also for maintaining effective emergency response systems. Public safety should never be compromised for convenience.

The proposed lane reduction lacks consideration for the thousands of people who reside in our area and depend on these avenues for swift transportation. By keeping our major avenues as they are, we can ensure a smooth flow of traffic, reduce the risk of accidents, and improve overall public safety.

We propose collaborating with urban planners to explore alternative solutions, such as improving public transportation options or implementing traffic signal optimizations that balance the needs of commuters and pedestrians alike.

Please join us in urging our city planners and local government to reconsider this plan. We need your support to keep our community safe and efficiently connected. Sign this petition to make your voice heard and help us maintain the quality of life in our city.

2,451

Recent signers:
Katia Gutierrez and 19 others have signed recently.

The Issue

Imagine being stuck in a never-ending traffic jam on your daily commute, unable to reach your destination on time, and feeling the frustration mount with every passing minute. For so many of us, this is a looming reality as major avenues face the threat of being reduced to a single lane. This isn't just a minor inconvenience; it's a major disruption that could affect thousands of daily commuters and their families.

One-lane avenues are not only a recipe for chaos but also a significant risk to public safety. With traffic congestion likely to skyrocket, emergency vehicles such as ambulances, fire trucks, and police cars will find it almost impossible to navigate through. Imagine the delay in critical rescue operations, where every second counts.

Multiple studies have shown that reducing lanes can lead to increased traffic congestion and can severely hinder emergency response times. According to the Federal Highway Administration, efficient traffic flow is crucial not only for daily commuters but also for maintaining effective emergency response systems. Public safety should never be compromised for convenience.

The proposed lane reduction lacks consideration for the thousands of people who reside in our area and depend on these avenues for swift transportation. By keeping our major avenues as they are, we can ensure a smooth flow of traffic, reduce the risk of accidents, and improve overall public safety.

We propose collaborating with urban planners to explore alternative solutions, such as improving public transportation options or implementing traffic signal optimizations that balance the needs of commuters and pedestrians alike.

Please join us in urging our city planners and local government to reconsider this plan. We need your support to keep our community safe and efficiently connected. Sign this petition to make your voice heard and help us maintain the quality of life in our city.

The Decision Makers

Chicago City Council
50 Members
1 Responded
Julia Ramirez
Chicago City Council - Ward 12
Good Afternoon! Thank you, Dorian [petition starter], we have seen the petition circulated. We also shared a Google form that residents filled out . CDOT will be addressing the top 10 questions from those respondents at tonight's meeting, alongside an additional Q&A from those in attendance. We hope you can join us for our Virtual Community Meeting: Tuesday November 25th, 2025, 6pm-8pm. Register for Virtual Meeting at: bit.ly/archerkedzie The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) and Ald. Ramirez are hosting a virtual informational session to provide updates on the Archer Ave and Kedzie Ave corridor improvements. CDOT will provide an overview & constructions of the corridor for both Archer and Kedzie Ave. Q & A after the informational session. After tonight's meeting we would be happy to talk further! For more information contact my office at 773-475-6783 or ward12@cityofchicago.org Note from Change.org: This response was an email reply to the petition starter about the petition. It shows the decision maker is engaged on the issue and that there may be new updates to come since the meeting on Nov. 25th.
Nicole Lee
Chicago City Council - Ward 11
Silvana Tabares
Chicago City Council - Ward 23
Brandon Johnson
Chicago City Mayor
Chicago City Police District Council
64 Members
Jamie Brown
Chicago City Police District Council - District 1
Leonardo Quintero
Chicago City Police District Council - District 12
Michelle Page
Chicago City Police District Council - District 12

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Petition created on November 17, 2025