Ben Barker

Let’s Build A World With More Empathy, Equity & Joy. (Posts are my opinions alone).

[Ben Barker @barkerptp]

Step 1: Be frustrated by unsafe biking conditions in the neighborhood.
Step 2: Show up to participatory budget meetings the last few months.
Step 3: Repeatedly advocate for better bike infrastructure.
Step 4: 300k worth of new bike lanes gets added to PB ballot. 🧵

[Ben Barker @barkerptp]

@jdraupp @LilyBeansDad @DarrenBaileyIL I have. The data for crashes is more nuanced than what you’re suggesting. Rear-end crashes increase, but the overall severity and mortality of crashes at red light camera intersections decreases because of a decrease in the most dangerous crashes (right-angle T-bone crashes).

[Ben Barker @barkerptp]

@Carrington_BIO @ALF_AvEs My understanding is that the new trains have sensors that will allow for screens to display how full each car is in real time. Should help.

[Ben Barker @barkerptp]

@Kyerewaah5 @NoContextHumans The tipped minimum wage in 2026 in the US is $2.13 an hour. For many servers, if they don’t get tipped, their pay is so low as to be meaningless.

[Ben Barker @barkerptp]

@jonathanvswan I am grateful for your reporting over the years, but are the hours before the President has threatened to wipe out a civilization appropriate ones to be selling books on the subject?

[Ben Barker @barkerptp]

@MikeOllen @PritzkerForPrez Can the Lieutenant Khan get JB closer to his 2018 victory speech promise to fight for Paid Family Leave? 8 years later Illinois has 5 days of paid leave for some workers. The EU averages of *464* paid days of leave for mothers.

When will Illinois get real Paid Family Leave?

[Ben Barker @barkerptp]

@HoanDHuynh Will we see this kind of hustle for Paid Family Leave next session? JB promised to fight for Paid Family Leave in his 2018 victory speech and 7+ years later we only have 5 paid days for some workers.

EU countries have an average of *464* paid days of leave guaranteed to mothers.

[Ben Barker @barkerptp]

@JakeSheridan_ @chicagotribune Love to see it 🚲

[Ben Barker @barkerptp]

@frasiertrain 👏👏👏

[Ben Barker @barkerptp]

@0xApolloGL @publicpolicyman Protection/separation of the bike lane from vehicles.

[Ben Barker @barkerptp]

@HoanDHuynh I’m worried the public transit system in Chicago may implode which would jeopardize the finances and futures of millions of residents.

Are you pressing your colleagues for a special session this summer to address the fiscal cliff? If not, what action are you taking? #AmtrakHoan

[Ben Barker @barkerptp]

@ChicagoDOT A modern station here is sorely needed, and I’d love to see a version of State Street without all the cars. Even the renderings include bicyclists navigating vehiclular traffic.

Look to Brussels and their "Le Piétonnier" Project on Boulevard Anspach for inspiration. 🌳🚶🏼‍♂️🚲

[Ben Barker @barkerptp]

@frasiertrain Love it. Next up, can CDOT add some raised crosswalks at the 4 mid-block crosswalks on the blocks bordering City Hall/County Building? I’ve nearly been hit on multiple occasions from people driving dangerous speeds here (esp the Clark and LaSalle crosswalks).

[Ben Barker @barkerptp]

@AJManaseer You would be incorrect.

[Ben Barker @barkerptp]

@mollyfleck I’d like Chicago to be doing much better at building out BRT. That said, is part of the reason that some smaller cities are getting there faster because they have no public transit rail infra and can focus their federal/state grant asks on BRT?

[Ben Barker @barkerptp]

@frasiertrain Love it. David, have you (or CDOT) looked at how @NS_online integrates secure bike storage facilities at their train stations? They seem to be leaders on seamless bike-train connections. Chicago should be doing better than a handful of unmonitored u-racks at CTA/Metra stations.

[Ben Barker @barkerptp]

@s_scheidel @hkappklote So you would agree that it’s unfair that the wealthiest Illinoisans pay a lower effective state and local tax rate than working class residents?

[Ben Barker @barkerptp]

@hkappklote Which btw is what JB said in ‘18 when he was campaigning & was asked what he’d do if a constitutional amendment dragged on too long. Never going to be enough $ for his unfulfilled promises (paid family leave, public option, etc) without significant progressive revenue increases.

[Ben Barker @barkerptp]

@hkappklote It seems like IL Dems have given up on a progressive income tax after losing the Fair Tax amendment at the ballot box. If they can’t repackage in a way that wins over voters, then they should raise the flat tax and pair it with an across the board deduction increase.

[Ben Barker @barkerptp]

@SeanMMorrison Is it envy to question why billionaires frequently pay lower effective tax rates than teachers and firefighters? Does that seem fair to you?

[Ben Barker @barkerptp]

@TheGreeneBJ While private insurance companies fleeced us, Maine took part of New Hampshire and hoped no one would notice.