From Chicago Sun-Times · · 3m
Kennedy traffic nightmare persists
Chicago's Kennedy Expressway traffic delays worsen after 3-year construction project.
In brief
Chicago's Kennedy Expressway traffic delays worsen after 3-year construction project. Chicago's Kennedy Expressway traffic delays remain historically bad despite completion of a $170 million construction project that began in March 2023. Originally reported by Chicago Sun-Times.
Kennedy traffic nightmare
Chicago's Kennedy Expressway traffic delays remain historically bad despite completion of a $170 million construction project that began in March 2023.
Worst traffic in 22 years
Our analysis of 22 years of drive-time data shows delays on the Kennedy Expressway between downtown and O'Hare Airport were the worst in more than two decades during the Kennedy 'rehabilitation project' that began in…
12 extra days in traffic
A typical commuter traveling inbound in the mornings and outbound in the afternoons spent a total of 12 additional days in traffic over the period since the roadwork began in March 2023 over what normally…
No relief in sight
Despite Gov. JB Pritzker's promise of 'faster commutes' when he declared mission accomplished on the Kennedy project a year ago, the expressway has continued to post historically bad travel times this year.
Foster Avenue delays
The separate Foster Avenue bridge reconstruction project over the Kennedy has lagged far behind schedule, with repeated delays and no projected end date for the work there.
Driver stories
A nurse said she'd bite her hand to stay awake at the wheel. A woman in labor writhed in pain for more than two hours in wall-to-wall traffic.
3-year traffic nightmare
As our investigation shows, traffic on the Kennedy really has been worse over the last three years.
Illinois grid strain
Illinois' electric grid is stressed, thanks to the demand from huge data centers rapidly multiplying to power artificial intelligence.
Data center costs
ComEd expects to spend more than $3 billion to connect data centers to its electric grid in the coming years but has only collected about one-fourth of the costs from data center developers.
Pritzker's political spending
Since 2025, Gov. JB Pritzker has given at least $40 million to Democrats and allied causes including campaigns for Congress, Senate, attorney general, secretary of state, county judges, and state parties in more than a…
Bears game result
The Chicago Bears beat the New England Patriots 30-24 in their Thursday night game.
CTA repairs
The CTA is closing all elevated tracks in the Loop this weekend for repairs.
Arts in the Dark
The Arts in the Dark parade, now in its 12th year, will return Saturday with 100 groups bringing 5,000 performers.
Shedd Aquarium
Shedd Aquarium President and CEO Bridget Coughlin insists the institution is not in crisis after taking in 30 beluga whales from a Canadian adventure park.
Data center impact
Chicago belongs to a multistate power consortium that connects us to a dozen other states across the eastern U.S., allowing states to give or take power from partners.
Traffic consequences
The Kennedy Expressway traffic nightmare has persisted for three years, with no relief in sight despite the completion of the construction project.
The headline
Chicago's Kennedy Expressway traffic delays remain historically bad despite completion of a $170 million construction project that began in March 2023.
