Des Plaines adopts 2026 Active Transportation Plan after public input

The Des Plaines City Council voted April 20 to adopt the 2026 Active Transportation Plan, an update to the city’s 2011 framework for walking, biking and rolling.

Engineering Assistant Director Becca Shipp introduced Civiltech project manager Lisonbee Sweeney, who presented the plan overview, development timeline and public engagement results. Sweeney said the project team conducted an existing-conditions review, gathered more than 160 survey responses and over 200 interactive map comments, held two community advisory group meetings and participated in pop-up events.

The draft plan proposes a core and extended network of bicycle lanes, shared-use paths and marked shared lanes, plus intersection and crossing improvements. Sweeney said corridors were prioritized by connectivity, safety, community context and project readiness and then phased to identify near-term and longer-term projects. “We really looked at the East West connectivity to neighboring communities, North South connectivity along key corridors,” she said.

Resident and Bike Walk Des Plaines representative Colin Tysso praised the plan and asked council to prioritize projects that improve safety rather than only low‑cost striping projects. The council discussed the plan, then Chairman Klippick moved adoption and council approved the resolution by roll call.

Next steps: the adopted plan will guide funding applications, engineering feasibility studies, and future project design; staff and the advisory group will help prioritize corridor implementation and coordinate with county and state agencies as needed.