WBEZ 91.5 Chicago

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s administration has decided to channel more than $7.3 million in tax increment financing toward a “bus rapid transit” line downtown, according to transportation and economic-development officials.The money will combine with an announced $24.6 m

All this week, WBEZ is looking at Rahm Emanuel’s first 100 days as Chicago mayor.One of Emanuel’s pledges is to push for the creation of the city’s first bus-rapid-transit line. The idea behind BRT is to deliver the benefits of rail at a fraction of the cost.

Pittsburgh and steel began a courtship in the late 1800s. That affair would eventually produce a lovechild: Gary, Indiana. In the early 20th century, Pittsburgh’s U.S.

Changing Gears has already taken a look at the re-invention of Pittsburgh. In a three part series, reporter Dan Bobkoff tracked how Pittsburgh put its economy back together after the steel industry collapsed.

Pittsburgh is looking up these days. Many people point to the steel mills turned into technology parks, or the slight uptick in population as signs that Pittsburgh could be a model for the rest of the industrial Midwest. But all this doesn't mean Pittsburgh is out of the woods.

The steel city has successfully transitioned to a medical and technology center. Pittsburgh is home to hundreds of start up companies and a below average unemployment rate. There are more jobs opportunities now than there were during the height of the steel era.

All this week, our Changing Gears team is looking at Reinventing Pittsburgh. The steel city is now more like the medical and technology city with hundreds of start up companies, a below average unemployment rate, and more jobs than during the height of the steel era.