CNT delivers game-changing research, tools, and solutions to create sustainable + equitable communities.

Recent Work

Transportation Equity Network Bus Priority Engagements

We're bringing a racial-equity and mobility-justice approach to learning how strategies like bus stops, bus lanes, and more bus-friendly... more »

DAC Mapping Tool

The DAC Mapping Tool highlights state-defined disadvantaged communities (DACs) under the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) program in six... more »

Chicago Truck Data Portal

CNT and the Little Village Environmental Justice Organization counted trucks and buses throughout Chicagoland. The counts available through this open... more »

‘Neighborhood Technology’ equals community-powered solutions
February 12, 2026

  Chief Strategy and Program Officer Miriam Savad, above (at a CNT planning retreat) led our recently-completed theory of change, impact framework and strategic plan process.  By Miriam Savad 2025 was by all accounts a disruptive year, ushering in a wave of instability. Yet amid this challenging time, CNT still carved out time to reflect on the purpose and direction of our work: our work is to equitably change systems to support more just, resilient, sustainable and... Continue reading »

 

Featured Publication

Bridging Visions, Accelerating Impact: Elevated Works 2025 Impact Report

By CNT and Elevated Works
June 9, 2025

Bridging Visions, Accelerating Impact: Elevated Works ETOD Technical Assistance Program Impact, by CNT and Elevated Chicago, highlights new best practices for publicly funded community development in general and equitable transit-oriented development specifically. With case studies, a comprehensive project list and other features, this report highlights the impact of the City of Chicago’s Equitable Transit-Oriented Development Technical Assistance Program from 2023 to 2025. The City’s $1 million investment in the Elevated Works technical assistance program we coordinated ensured the success of 29 projects, representing $300 million invested in Chicago communities. All 29 projects made meaningful progress, with 7 reaching groundbreaking and 5 more celebrating grand openings. Beyond these individual project milestones, Bridging Visions, Accelerating Impact describes shared successes and challenges for the entire pipeline and describes how we've advocated for systems-level changes to reduce barriers for equitable transit-oriented development in Chicago moving forward. From 2023 to 2025, we partnered with Elevated Chicago , IFF , Metropolitan Planning Council , Rudd Resources...

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Publication Library

 

Commentary: With conditions in place, parties must make haste to address the housing-transit connection

Crain's Chicago Business Forum on Public Transit (February 2026) | February 24, 2026

streetscape of single family homes in chicago

Twenty years ago, the rule for building affordable housing was “drive as far from the Loop as you have to until you find a place you can afford.” The result was not just sprawl but multiple job hubs and housing markets — from the Loop to the North Shore, the northwest suburbs, and employment corridors like Naperville and Oak Brook.

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Highlights of our work with governments, advocates, policy makers, and community groups over the past 10 years

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Transit-Oriented Development show all (15)

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