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Given the growing cost of gasoline and the popularity of eco-conscious consumer decisions, it’s no wonder that electric vehicles have become more commonplace. With more than two dozen models now commercially available, some 800,000 Americans have made the switch to driving EVs. But no matter what you drive, that won’t always make the commute from downtown Chicago to O’Hare International Airport any more bearable. The so-called expressway is usually slow and congested; the only other option is to take the L train, which isn’t much better. But now, Elon Musk and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel say they might have an appealing, high-tech solution that could change everything.

As one of the nation’s busiest airports, O’Hare is no stranger to overcrowding. It offers direct flights to 217 destinations throughout the world and serves as a major hub for both United and American Airlines. While the global aviation industry transported approximately $6.4 trillion worth of cargo in 2017, O’Hare alone shipped over 1.9 million tonnes of cargo in 2017 — coming in third among major U.S. airports. O’Hate is also the sixth-busiest airport and served 79.8 million passengers last year.

But getting there has historically been a real pain. Taking the L train from downtown to the airport takes anywhere from 40 to 50 minutes. Despite the fact the distance between the two is only 16 miles, it can take even longer if you travel via car. That could all change, though, if Musk is able to develop his plans to bring large electric vehicle transport to the area.

According to Mayor Emanuel and the proposal from Musk’s Boring Company, the transport alternative would involve new underground tunnels and large EVs (known as “skates”) that could transport 16 riders and their luggage in about 12 minutes. These zero-emission vehicles would be battery powered and could depart every 30 seconds, traveling at 100 to 150 miles per hour to reach their destination in record time. They’d also offer WiFi and be climate controlled. Musk’s company proposal indicated to the city of Chicago that the fares would likely be more than the $5 passengers pay to ride the L (though they could be as low as $1 per person) but would be less than the $40 it typically takes to take a taxi.

Although early estimates guessed the undertaking would cost close to $1 billion, Mayor Emanuel promised in a statement that no taxpayer money would be used for the development of the transportation alternative, noting: “This transformative project will help Chicago write the next chapter in our legacy of innovation and invention.”

Reportedly, Musk would actually front the construction costs but would then rake in the revenue from transit fees and ad-generated profits (including shopping opportunities during the 12-minute ride that would likely use vehicle touch screens).

Still, the project looks like it could be in line with other expansions related to O’Hare. The airport itself is expected to undergo a gate capacity increase of 25%, and nearly $500 has already been allotted to modernize the L line train.

If the project ends up going forward, it could mean big things for Chicago travelers and for the city itself. But whether Musk will be able to deliver remains to be seen.

Owning a car is still considered to be a rite of passage for many Americans. It represents autonomy, freedom, and adventure. And considering that 35% of U.S. households own three or more cars, it’s clear that we still value the idea of being able to provide our own transportation. But that may be changing — at least in some U.S. cities — due to the rising costs of car ownership compared to ride-hailing. One recent study found that in four major metropolises, including Chicago, it’s actually cheaper to call an Uber every day than it is to own a car.

According to Mary Meeker’s 2018 annual internet trends report, it’s more economical to use Uber than it is to own a car in four of the nation’s five largest cities — a list that includes Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, and Washington, D.C. This report takes into account the cost of parking, gas, car insurance, and maintenance. It might not surprise most consumers that NYC residents incur the highest weekly rates of car ownership; it costs owners there an average of $218 per week just to own a car. But when New Yorkers switch to taking an Uber everywhere, costs decrease by as much as 35% to only $142 a week. And given the mess that MTA regularly causes for those living and working in the city, it’s not a shock that many are putting these numbers to the test.

In Chicago, the savings might be a bit more on the conservative side. But it’s likely to be intriguing news for many locals, particularly because Uber’s new Express Pool car service just launched in the Windy City. In basic terms, the service is similar to their carpooling feature, UberPool, but the express option actually allows drivers to pick up their riders in an organized manner to make a shared route more efficient. It organizes riders who are all traveling in the same direction, saving both time and money for travelers. So for those who want to pay even less for more convenience — unlike a bus route, there are no specific pick-up locations for Express Pool — this may be an interesting option.

But even without opting for carpooling, ditching a car in favor of Ubering everywhere may actually be preferable for many folks. Since owning a car is not typically seen as a great investment, as a vehicle depreciates in value the moment you drive it off the lot, it may simply not be worth the cost of city parking, upkeep, and rising gas prices. Of course, there are trade-offs to consider, like the lack of independence and fare hikes during peak travel times. But if you’re sick of paying through the nose just to own a vehicle you don’t get to use very often, you may want to crunch the numbers and see whether you might want to become a full-time ride hailer.

UPDATED 12/7/20

For construction workers, it is important to pay attention to back pain. The common misconception is that pain is gain and if you don’t feel pain, you didn’t work hard enough. That is not true. Back pain and muscle pain are indicators of improper lifting. Never lean over to pick up something. Despite the lightweight, it may be enough to strain a muscle or cause pain for an extended amount of time. If there is back pain after heavy lifting, step to the side and stretch the back muscles to prevent more damage. It’s always important to bend at the knees with a straight back and point your eyes forward for a good posture.

Even if your back doesn’t hurt at work, pay attention to your back pain after work. Buy a rice bag that you can throw in the microwave for 2.5 minutes, and then lay on it or drape it over the muscle that hurts. Be careful of back nerve pain. If the back nerve pain symptoms are ignored, they will get even worse. The symptoms include numbness or decreased sensation, muscle weakness, and sharp pain.

Construction workers and contractors really are the backbone of our modern society today. If you think about it, there are so many things we would not be able to enjoy without the beloved construction workers and contractors of our nation. Homeowners willing dish out about $29 billion every year just on cooling. The installation, maintenance, and repair of those cooling units would not be possible without contractors and construction workers.

The roofs of our homes are another thing that would not be possible without the work of contractors and construction workers. Most smaller, common roof repairs can cost anywhere between $150 and $400, with labor costing $45 to $75 per hour. Have you ever wondered why they charge so much for those kinds of jobs? Well, one of the reasons is that they contribute to the incredible amount of pain contractors and construction workers experience.

Think about how easily a construction worker or contractor could injure their feet, ankles, and even legs while on a job. In fact, approximately 75% of Americans will deal with foot health problems of varying degrees of severity at some point in their lives. A lot of those people happen to be contractors and construction workers.

Unfortunately, foot injuries aren’t the only issues these professionals deal with, either. Additionally, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, 80% of adults will experience lower back pain at some point in their life. Even more, 30% of construction workers miss work due to a back injury. In a report from the Health and Safety Executive, an average of 17 days were missed for each back pain case in construction workers in 2015. Finally, 57% of workers who work in construction report having extreme pain in their back, ankles, and knees.

What exactly is causing the people in this line of work to experience all this pain? According to OSHA, there are a few common reasons. Those include: lifting heavy objects, sudden movements, reaching, twisting, bending, incorrect posture, long hours, repetitive tasks, and even a heavy tool belt. All of these things are happening every day, and it will eventually take a toll on the body.

There are some tips to help workers in this line of profession prevent the almost inevitable pain that so many experience on and off the job. This first comes with proper lifting. First, you want to make sure you are always keeping your back straight when you lift. Do not twist or bend it while lifting a heavy object. Handle aids should always be used when possible. You can also invest in a construction back brace so you can take some pressure off of your back. Finally, do not ever lift anything over 51 pounds by yourself.

The second biggest thing you can do to prevent back pain is actually not on the job. The way you behave after hours can affect your pain as well. You want to make sure you get limber before work. This means doing warm-ups before you get on the job site. You should stretch your neck, lower back, chest, shoulders, and legs. You can also invest some time in getting a massage and properly icing after work to keep your muscles in good shape.

Construction work is not easy, and it’s bound to cause some wear and tear on the body. Because of this, it’s important for you to take proper care on and off the job site so you don’t permanently hurt your body and put yourself out of work.

The construction industry faces a high rate of back pain and injuries due to the job’s nature. With the many construction activities taking place in the world, people in construction should be aware f the challenges they face and how they can overcome them. When at a building site, you’ll notice a lot of heavy lifting. That is what results in most of their back pains. The work they do is also mostly manual, which strains their backs a lot.

Every individual with a building project must encourage their workers to use all available modern technologies to make their work easier. New construction homes can embrace modernization to protect all workers and their employers.

Looking at the various aspects of construction such as framing and masonry, making the high-risk about construction tasks easier by use of machinery is possible. The workers should also work on reducing the amount of time spent bending in risky postures. They should lay out their work areas appropriately to enhance proper movement and posture. After taking care of themselves at work, they should take adequate rest and have a healthy lifestyle, including healthy eating, to help their bodies regain their energy. They should also invest in a good medical insurance cover to enable them to access the right treatment when there’s a need.

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Dental coverage may soon be offered to everyone eligible under Illinois’ Medicaid program. The Illinois Senate recently voted to expand the state’s Medicaid program to provide dental coverage to not only children and those who are pregnant but everyone eligible for Medicaid.

According to Senator Omar Aquino, D-Chicago, the Medicaid expansion would help to cover more than 600,000 people. “We want to make sure that everyone in our state who is Medicaid eligible gets immediate preventative dental care,” said Aquino.

Preventative dental care is essential for keeping minor dental problems such as plaque buildup and cavities from becoming major issues that could cause chronic health issues and disability. In fact, more than 75% of children’s cases of underbites and overbites benefited from the use of early dental intervention.

Tooth decay that’s left to sit in the mouth can lead eventually reach the bloodstream. Connections have been found between tooth decay and major health issues such as heart disease, dementia, respiratory illnesses, and diabetic complications.

Despite these issues, many American families are unable to pay for dental insurance to take care of their teeth. Additionally, certain Medicaid plans such as the one currently offered in Illinois only cover the dental care of children and pregnant women. In fact, 70% of seniors didn’t have dental coverage in 2016, according to government estimates.

The new expansive program would cost up to $26 million a year, according to the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services.

Illinois Republicans, including Senator Dave Syverson of Rockford, say this is a cost the state doesn’t need to pay. Many of Illinois’ private Medicaid managers, Syverson said, already offer dental care.

“A number of the managed care organizations already do this themselves, and they pay for it. They do it as a marketing tool to try and get more people to get into their MCO,” Syverson said.

The expanded dental care plan isn’t limited in scope or cost concerning the type of dental work needed or how often Medicaid patients need it. The plan passed the Illinois Senate with a 39-14 vote. The proposal will now be passed on to the Illinois House of Representatives.

It’s no secret that America’s transit ridership has been on the decline since 2014. However, a recent report released by the Federal Transit Administration’s National Transit Database shows the decline in bus ridership may be more troubling than originally thought.

Between 2016 and 2017, total public transit ridership has decreased by 2.5% and bus ridership has declined by 5%. The Chicago Transit Authority alone has lost more public transit riders since 2014 than all other U.S. agencies have gained in the past nine years.

Although this isn’t the first time public transit numbers have declined, this is the lowest the U.S. has seen its ridership in 30 years. Still, employment rates and population numbers have increased.

One reason for the decline in bus ridership is the increasing number of jobs that enable employees to work from home. Another is that many Americans are turning to their own vehicles or using those as a part of Uber and Lyft.

As a result, more vehicles are on the road leading to an increase in traffic, traffic-related deaths, and air pollutants. Up to 80% of all bumper scratches occur when drivers are parking their own cars.

Additionally, in 2017, more than $4 billion worth of metalworking fluids were expected to be consumed for lubricating the world’s transportation equipment.

It’s clear the U.S. is in need of a reevaluation of its public transit system to reduce the number of cars on the road. But the money needed to improve public transit is limited.

According to the Chicago Tribune, many highway and public transit projects rely on federal funding. But federal funding in recent years has become less reliable due to a rising fuel economy and inflation. Illinois’ mass transit systems alone are significantly underfunded.

The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning has called for homegrown solutions in its regional projects report to create new streams of revenue for public transit projects.

The CMAP decides which projects receive funding up until 2050 including projects that involve horizontal directional drilling, the most cost-effective method for highway bores between 600 ft and 1800 ft in length.

“There’s no free ride, and you don’t get to just invent money,” said CMAP executive director Joseph Szabo. “The soundest policy is for the users of the system, those reaping the benefits of the system, to be the ones to pay for the cost of maintaining and modernizing the system.”

The top projects CMAP is prioritizing right now include a CTA bus rapid transit line and an extension of the Red Line.

The CTA transit line would run from the Red Line’s 79th Street station to the Pace Harvey Transportation Center. The Red Line extension would connect communities with high unemployment rates to downtown jobs and the suburbs.

One project that’s recently made its big debut is the dockless bike share in the South Side of Chicago. The bike share, a six-month pilot, is limited to the neighborhoods of 79th Street. Companies who provide the bikes in the areas will be required after July 1 to use models with built-in cables and U-locks.

Student loan debt has been hindering millennials for years; now it’s causing harm to the motorcycle industry. According to MarketWatch, the motorcycle industry has been increasingly struggling due to millennials’ disinterest in purchasing motorcycles in light of financial burdens.

Over the past year, Harley-Davidson Inc. has been dropping in stock by as much as 29%. Sales have also decreased by 6.7%. The famous motorcycle corporation announced it would be closing its U.S. factory as a result.

Bernstein analysts say the reason for the slide in sales could be due to the aging out of baby boomers as the lead target audience.

Young millennials and Gen-Z/Millennials, born between 1990 and 2003 respectively, are two-thirds as likely to be interested in motorcycles as baby boomers during their pre-family stage, Bernstein says. Yet, an interest in motorcycles may not be enough to keep the industry alive.

“The average millennial has almost twice as much student debt today during their ‘pre-family’ life stage as did the average Gen Xer,” said Bernstein analyst David Beckel.

“That may not sound like a large enough increase in debt to sway one from buying a motorcycle,” Beckel said. “But for the individual 20 million millennials with student debt, the difference between $15,000 and $26,000 of student debt is $130/month, which is the equivalent to a monthly loan payment on an $8,000 bike.”

In 1990, 50% of college undergraduates had taken out student loans with an average borrowing of $15,000. By 2012, up to 70% of undergraduates had taken out student loans with an average borrowing of $25,000.

With that kind of debt, it makes sense for 80% of millennials to be happy with the idea of lab-grown diamonds when it comes to engagement rings compared to baby boomers and Gen Xers.

The typical new motorcycle will cost around the same as today’s average student loan debt, which makes it difficult for young millennials to purchase cars let alone a motorcycle. It’s for this reason that many who are interested in purchasing a motorcycle often opt for used bikes.

Approximately 78% of motorcycle usage is on-road riding while 41% is off-road riding, which makes used bikes seem like the better investment.

Bernstein analysts additionally theorized that rebellion, the characteristic often attributed to motorcycle culture, doesn’t appeal to debt-burdened millennials like it used to appeal to older generations prior to starting families.

“If you aren’t getting married, chances are you are not thinking about having children any time soon,” said Beckel. “And therefore the need to ‘rebel’ against the inevitable onslaught of permanent responsibility is lower.”

The opioid epidemic in the United States is staggering. In 2016 alone, roughly 11.5 million Americans 12 and older misused prescription pain medicine. President Trump has declared a public emergency and many states are suing drug manufacturers because of the high costs of treating, jailing, and burying opioid addicts. Drug users are overdosing and dying almost every day in record numbers. The crisis is impacting thousands, if not millions, of Americans, and it’s impacting their families as well.

Now, this opioid crisis is even impacting the real estate industry. In areas where crime rates, like drug use, are high, rental rates and homeownership are very low. For example, in Albuquerque, vacancies nearly doubled from 4.5% to 8.2% in areas with a high crime concentration compared to the city as a whole.

This is not very surprising. There are few people who want to live in an area that is ridden with crime. Families looking to buy homes are probably not going to purchase a house or rent an apartment in an area of town known if it’s high crime rates and drug usage. the problem is that more and more areas are becoming “drug dens” as the opioid crisis is getting worse and worse.

Another real estate problem has arrived from the worsening opioid epidemic. Agents are afraid to show houses. According to the Business Report, there are more than 150,000 real estate agents and brokers in the United States, and close to 38% of agents say that they fear for their personal safety on the job. When it comes to female agents, that number jumps to nearly 50%, according to a survey by the National Association of Realtors in 2017.

The estate agents meet strangers in vacant houses all the time, and the biggest fears were things like unlocked or unsecured properties or vacant home showings. Now, they are afraid that these clients are drug addicts. Most real estate agents who represent higher-end properties are worried that opioid addicts are booking showings to raid the medicine cabinets or rob and injure the agent.

This astronomical drug problem is devastating enough considering how many lives it has taken, and now it is seeping its way into unsuspecting lives for more harm and destruction.