Blogs (Weekly Updates) Blogs (Weekly Updates)

Posted on May 18, 2012 11:00 AM
Comment
CMAP Weekly Update, 5-18-12

Among the highlights from CMAP executive director Randy Blankenhorn, a Policy Update on the state's fiscal condition and how it affects GO TO 2040 implementation, updates on the LTA project in the Village of Wheeling, a new featured case study highlights how one person can impact their community, the Bloomingdale Trail Framework  Plan is now available on-line, and an article on measuring innovation in our region. Subscribe to get Weekly Updates by e-mail.

 

 

              

Table of Contents

 

 

First Off...

LTA Ideas Exchange. Registration is now closed for the first LTA Ideas Exchange on May 24, 2012, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the second floor of UBS Tower, One North Wacker Drive, Chicago. If you are still interested in attending and would like to be put on the wait list, please contact Yesenia Ambriz at yambriz@cmap.illinois.gov. The event agenda is available on-line. In addition to highlighting accomplishments and lessons learned in the program's inaugural year, this special event will be an opportunity for attendees to discuss grant opportunities, such as the new LTA 2012 Call for Projects described below in the Reminders section.

Policy Updates. Following up on discussions in last week's CMAP Board meeting, our policy blog describes how the state's fiscal condition affects GO TO 2040 implementation. We also wrote about the Chicago Department of Transportation's new plan, "Chicago Forward."

Staff progress report. The third-quarter progress report (January through March) based on CMAP's FY12 work plan is now available online.

 

Other News and Announcements

LTA updates. On May 22, the Village of Wheeling and partners will host a community meeting for development of its Active Transportation Plan at the Indian Trails Public Library (355 Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling) at 7:00 p.m. There will be an interactive presentation and an opportunity for residents to provide input on strategies to improve walking and biking in the community. This project is funded by a $80,000 grant through the CMAP/Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) Community Planning Program. Read more about the meeting in the Daily Herald. For more information, contact Andrew Jennings (847-499-9061 or ajennings@wheelingil.gov).

LTA in the news. The Evanston Roundtable highlighted CMAP's work with the City to develop a water conservation and efficiency plan. The article quotes CMAP's Amy Talbot. The Kane County Chronicle quotes CMAP's Jason Navota in its preview of the May 21 open house for the development of a comprehensive plan for Campton Hills. The Journal Online also covered the public meeting that will be held on June 12 in Mt. Prospect for Homes for a Changing Region, which is now focusing on the Northwest Suburban Housing Collaborative. The article quotes CMAP's Drew Williams-Clark. Smart Growth America highlighted the most recent Homes report for the West Cook Housing Collaborative.

Featured case study. Amy Sanchez is a great example of the difference one person can make in her or his community. She formed the Collins Street Neighborhood Organization in Joliet to address a variety of issues and improve communication between residents and the city. If you know of an exemplary project (or person) for the GO TO 2040 case study library, please contact Lindsay Banks (312-386-8826) or submit it on-line.

CMAP media tip sheet. Our latest tip sheet includes information on the May 24 LTA Ideas Exchange, new animations that show I-90 truck travel speeds, a CMAP parking strategies report, and more.

Bloomingdale Trail. The Bloomingdale Trail Framework Plan is now available on-line. This project is partially funded by CMAP's Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) program.

Neighborhood recovery spring forum. The National Housing Services of Chicago will host its spring forum "REO to Rental: Will it Pave the Road to Neighborhood Recovery?” on May 23 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the Spertus Institute (610 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago). The event will highlight emerging strategies to convert vacant properties to rental housing, with discussion of the opportunities and challenges for local communities. To RSVP, contact Stephanie Martel or register on-line.

TMA annual meeting. The Transportation Management Association (TMA) of Lake Cook will hold its annual meeting on May 31 at 10:00 a.m. at Baxter Healthcare (1 Baxter Parkway, Deerfield). RSVP by May 28.

Grant management workshop. Grant Writing USA, in partnership with Cook County Sheriff Police Training Academy (200 North Fifth Avenue, River Grove), will host a grant management class June 12-13 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Attendees will learn the basics of managing federal and non-federal grants and can register on-line.

Investing in infrastructure. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel wrote an opinion piece for Politico on the importance of investing in infrastructure.

 

Data Depot

Innovation metrics. The Daily Herald Business Ledger ran “Measuring innovation to identify challenges and opportunities,” a CMAP-submitted article focusing on the innovation metrics examined in the Illinois Innovation Index. All the data used for the Index is available on MetroPulse.

Small Business. CMAP’s MetroPulse data portal tracks the number of loans to small businesses, along with other related small business indicators. Banks loan to small businesses when they believe the applicant is agile, innovative, and likely to succeed. The U.S. Census also compiles information related to business size in terms of numbers of employees and receipts.

Natural Areas. GO TO 2040 recommends expanding and improving parks and open space in the region. Users can take a look at the total acreage of high quality natural areas observed through the Illinois Natural Areas Inventory on MetroPulse. In March we wrote a Policy Update on how state tax credits can be used to promote conservation easements on private land.

 

CMAP Blogs

Green Signals. CMAP’s transportation operations blog told readers about the recently released 2012 National Traffic Signal Report Card.

 

Reminders

LTA 2012 call for projects. For the second year, CMAP is making staff resources and grants available for community-based projects through the GO TO 2040 Local Technical Assistance (LTA) program. Municipalities, counties, multijurisdictional groups, or nongovernmental organizations (in partnership with local government) are encouraged to apply for CMAP staff assistance by responding to the new LTA 2012 Call for Projects. Applications are due by Wednesday, August 1, 2012. For more information, please contact Pete Saunders (psaunders@cmap.illinois.gov or (312) 386-8654). Applicants that would prefer to receive grant funds should consider applying for funding through CMAP's Community Planning program -- see http://rtachicago.com/community-planning/community-planning.html for more details.

FLIP event and applications. On May 31, student participants in our Future Leaders in Planning (FLIP) program will present their findings on innovative ice and snow removal techniques in a special event at Journey World (770 N. Halsted St., Chicago) from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The final presentation to elected officials and other community leaders from across the region will feature multimedia demonstrations and other materials about best snow removal practices to help reduce environmental impacts. These high school students met one Saturday per month to learn about the issues that shape our region’s economy and quality of life. The early deadline for the FLIP 2012-13 application is June 1. Students who will be sophomores, juniors, or seniors in the 2012-13 school year are eligible. For more information, contact Ricardo Lopez (rlopez@cmap.illinois.gov or 312-386-8766).

Streets for Cycling Plan 2020 public meetings. CDOT is holding open houses and webinars throughout Chicago to get input on a draft network for the Streets for Cycling Plan 2020. The plan will identify a network of bicycling facilities that will make bike trips safe and comfortable for Chicagoans. For information and webinar reservations, visit this CDOT web page.

National Public Works Week. The American Public Association of Public Works will celebrate the 2012 National Public Works Week with “Public Works: Creating a Lasting Impression” from May 20 to 26. Events and outreach focus on the importance of public works to the community and how public work professionals use sustainable methods to plan and build public works.

Posted on May 11, 2012 3:40 PM
Comment
CMAP Weekly Update, 5-11-12

Among the highlights from CMAP executive director Randy Blankenhorn, a recap of this week's CMAP board meeting including the agency's updated strategic plan and FY13 Budget and Work Plan, LTA 2012 Call for Projects, the LTA Ideas Exchange event agenda is now available, a Policy Update previews the upcoming CMAP Freight Cluster Drill-Down report, and news on Illinois Route 53/120 Extension report. Subscribe to get Weekly Updates by e-mail.

 

 

              

Table of Contents

 

 

First Off...

CMAP meetings. The Board met on Wednesday, and among the highlights was an overview of the agency’s updated strategic plan and the proposed FY 13 Budget and Work Plan. The Budget and Work Plan will be considered for approval in June. Additionally, a number of issues were discussed as they relate to state legislative activities, including our state’s pension issues and the need for the General Assembly to pass additional bonding authority for IDOT.

Prior to the Board meeting, the Local Coordinating Committee met and heard presentations on two neighboring projects that are supported by CMAP's Local Technical Assistance (LTA) program. First, Urban Land Institute (ULI) staff described a plan for redevelopment of the Joliet Correctional Center and U.S. Steel site, and second, the Will County staff described the Fairmont Neighborhood Plan, near Joliet in unincorporated Will County. The committee also discussed the new LTA call for projects (see next item) and received an update on grants and contracts.

LTA 2012 call for projects. For the second year, CMAP is making staff resources and grants available for community-based projects through the GO TO 2040 Local Technical Assistance (LTA) program. Municipalities, counties, multijurisdictional groups, or nongovernmental organizations (in partnership with local government) are encouraged to apply for CMAP staff assistance by responding to the new LTA 2012 Call for Projects. Applications are due by Wednesday, August 1, 2012. For more information, please contact Pete Saunders (psaunders@cmap.illinois.gov or (312) 386-8654). Applicants that would prefer to receive grant funds should consider applying for funding through CMAP's Community Planning program -- see http://rtachicago.com/community-planning/community-planning.html for more details.

LTA Ideas Exchange Registration and Agenda. Only a few spots remain, so please register today for the first LTA Ideas Exchange on May 24, 2012, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the second floor of UBS Tower, One North Wacker Drive, Chicago. The event agenda is now available. The Metropolitan Planning Council featured a related guest blog post from CMAP's Erin Aleman. In addition to highlighting accomplishments and lessons learned in the program's inaugural year, this special event will be an opportunity for attendees to discuss grant opportunities. Elected officials, municipal planners, and other stakeholders are encouraged to attend.

Policy Updates. Our policy blog has a preview of the upcoming CMAP Freight Cluster Drill-Down report. Nurturing the region’s industry clusters is one of the main recommendations from the Human Capital chapter of GO TO 2040, which recommends that CMAP and its partners perform “drill-down” analyses to better understand specific established industry clusters, including freight, advanced manufacturing, and biotechnology/biomedicine. We also wrote about coordinated investment strategies for Illinois school districts.

Municipal pensions. Yesterday, CMAP Board chairman Gerald Bennett, mayor of Palos Hills, spoke at a press conference hosted by Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel to highlight the fiscal perils of unfunded retirement liabilities for municipalities' police and fire departments -- whose pension benefits are set by the General Assembly. Read more in the Chicago Tribune.
 
 

Other News and Announcements

LTA in the news. Journal Online wrote about the development of a sustainability plan for the Village of Niles, which is supported by an LTA grant. Buffalo Grove Patch covered this week's Village of Buffalo Grove meeting for Homes for a Changing Region, one of the five communities involved in the Northwest Suburban Housing Collaborative. Also, the Village of Campton Hills will host an open house for a draft comprehensive plan on May 21 at Wasco Elementary School (4N782 School Street, Campton Hills) from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. And the Daily Herald alerted readers to comment on the Village of Algonquin's Downtown Plan.Visit the main LTA page for a new monthly program update on all ongoing projects and links to project web pages.
 
CMAP in the news. The Morgan Station on the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Green Line will be the second "L" station opening this month, as reported by WBBM-AM radio. Both this project and the Yellow Line's Oakton Station, which opened last week, received funds from our Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) program. The Atlantic Cities explores how metropolitan areas address infrastructure, citing Water 2050 as an example of using land use strategies to preserve water supplies. EcoMyths Alliance described efforts to disinfect the Chicago River, quoting CMAP's Tim Loftus.
 
Illinois Route 53/120 Extension report. The Chicago Tribune quoted me in its story about the upcoming Illinois Route 53/120 Blue Ribbon Advisory Council draft report on the extension of IL Route 53 north through Central Lake County. The corridor is one of GO TO 2040's high-priority major capital projects, and CMAP has provided extensive staff assistance to the council. The report recommendations will be featured at the TMA of Lake Cook annual meeting at 10:00 a.m. on May 31 at Baxter Healthcare (One Baxter Parkway, Deerfield). To RSVP, email lynn_stailey@baxter.com by May 28.
 
Bloomingdale Trail community meeting. At 6:00 p.m. on May 15, the Trust for Public Land and its partners will host a community meeting for the Bloomingdale Trail at the Humboldt Park Fieldhouse (1440 N. Sacramento Ave., Chicago). There will be a brief presentation on the project status and an opportunity to discuss project details with the design team. To RSVP, contact Brendan Siegfried (info@bloomingdaletrail.org or 312-750-9820).
 
WaterSense seminar. The Chicago Center for Green Technology (445 N. Sacramento, Chicago) will host “Water Efficiency and WaterSense Product Labeling” on May 24 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Cary McElhinney, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 and Paul Patton, Delta Faucet, will speak about the labeling program and various water-saving products. Participants can register on-line.
 
 

Data Depot

Emergency management. CMAP’s MetroPulse data portal tracks the number of municipal emergency management departments in the region. Coordination is one of the key elements of effective emergency response. The Illinois Emergency Services Management Association organizes mutual aid agreements among local agencies that need additional support when disaster overwhelms local emergency management resources.

Intercity passenger travel. As NATO leaders are set to convene in Chicago, we note that nine NATO capitals (not including Washington) have non-stop air service to our region. CMAP has compiled a summary of intercity passenger destinations by mode and distance on the transportation performance measurement page.

 

CMAP Blogs

Soles and Spokes. This week, CMAP’s bike-ped planning blog featured a recent study evaluating methods for counting bicycles and pedestrians using video-stream data. We also highlighted a report issued by the City of Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) presenting “before and after” data for a recently completed road diet project, which indicates that the new configuration improved safety for all users.

Green Signals. CMAP’s transportation operations blog told readers about an upcoming webinar on the impacts of heavy or oversize truck shipments on the U.S. highway network.

 

Reminders

FLIP event and applications. On May 31, student participants in our Future Leaders in Planning (FLIP) program will present their findings on innovative ice and snow removal techniques in a special event at Journey World (770 N. Halsted St., Chicago) from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The final presentation to elected officials and other community leaders from across the region will feature multimedia demonstrations and other materials about best snow removal practices to help reduce environmental impacts. These high school students met one Saturday per month to learn about the issues that shape our region’s economy and quality of life. The early deadline for the FLIP 2012-13 application is June 1. Students who will be sophomores, juniors, or seniors in the 2012-13 school year are eligible. For more information, contact Ricardo Lopez (rlopez@cmap.illinois.gov or 312-386-8766).
 

Elgin-O'Hare comment period. Public comments are being sought through May 14 regarding the draft environmental impact statement for the Elgin-O'Hare West Bypass, which is among the major capital projects recommended by GO TO 2040.

Chicago food plan meetings. At a series of public meetings, Chicago residents can learn and provide feedback about the City's “Healthy Food Chicago” plan. To RSVP or request special accommodations, contact info@healthyplaceschicago.org or 312-573-7786.

 

Events

Bronzeville Retail Development Initiative planning meeting
May 12, 2012
8:30 a.m. to noon
Charles A. Hayes Family Investment Center: 4859 S. Wabash Avenue, Chicago
Hosted by the Bronzeville Alliance, CMAP, and the Metropolitan Planning Council
More information

County Green
May 17, 2012
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
College of Lake County: 19351 W. Washington Street, Building C, Grayslake
More information

Energy Impact Illinois volunteer training
May 19, 2012
10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Center for Neighborhood Technology: 1741 N. Western, Chicago
RSVP

Future Leaders in Planning (FLIP) final presentation
May 31, 2012
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Journey World, 770 N. Halsted, Chicago
More information

 

Posted on May 04, 2012 3:23 PM
Comment
CMAP Weekly Update, 5-4-12

Among the highlights from CMAP executive director Randy Blankenhorn, register by May 11 for the first LTA Ideas Exchange, CMAP's Future Leaders in Planning will host the 2011-12 session's final presentation, an upcoming Twitter chat about the GO TO 2040 Case Study Library, news on LTA projects in Oak Park, Riverside and Evanston and MetroPulse as a case study on public access and government transparency. Subscribe to get Weekly Updates by e-mail.

 

 

              

Table of Contents

 

 

First Off...

CMAP meetings. The CMAP Board will meet at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 9, 2012. At 8:00 a.m. that morning, the Local Coordinating Committee will meet. All materials can be found by clicking on the respective links.

LTA Ideas Exchange: Register by May 11. Don't forget to register by next Friday for the first Local Technical Assistance (LTA) program Ideas Exchange event on May 24, 2012, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the second floor of UBS Tower, One North Wacker Drive, Chicago. Watch for a special announcement next week regarding CMAP's 2012 call for LTA proposals. In addition to highlighting accomplishments and lessons learned in the program's inaugural year, this special event will be an opportunity for attendees to discuss grant opportunities. Elected officials, municipal planners, and other stakeholders are encouraged to attend.

FLIP final presentation. On May 31, student participants in our Future Leaders in Planning (FLIP) program will present their findings on innovative ice and snow removal techniques in a special event at Journey World (770 N. Halsted St., Chicago) from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The final presentation to elected officials and other community leaders from across the region will feature multimedia demonstrations and other materials about best snow removal practices to help reduce environmental impacts. These high school students met one Saturday per month to learn about the issues that shape our region’s economy and quality of life. The early deadline for the FLIP 2012-13 application is June 1. Students who will be sophomores, juniors, or seniors in the 2012-13 school year are eligible. For more information, contact Ricardo Lopez (rlopez@cmap.illinois.gov or 312-386-8766).

Unincorporated Cook. The Cook County Unincorporated Task Force issued its findings this week, recommending annexation of all unincorporated areas into existing municipalities. I am a member of the task force, which President Toni Preckwinkle created late last year to identify potential efficiencies and cost savings. Read more in the Chicago Tribune (including a letter by Metropolis Strategies board chairman George Ranney), Sun-Times, Daily Herald (with editorial), and other media.

Case Study Library chat. On Tuesday, May 8, CMAP will host a Twitter chat on the GO TO 2040 Case Study Library starting at 10:00 a.m. Using the hashtag #CSLchat, CMAP staff Lindsay Banks (@lindsaybanks) will answer questions on using the library, sharing examples of current case studies, and how communities can submit case studies for review. Join the conversation and follow CMAP @GOTO2040.

 

Other News and Announcements

LTA in the news. The Oak Leaves covered the release of the West Cook County Housing Collaborative Homes for a Changing Region report and quotes CMAP's Drew Williams-Clark. The report details policies and strategies for current and future housing in the communities of Oak Park, Bellwood, Berwyn, Forest Park, and Maywood. In other LTA news, the Riverside-Brookfield Landmark wrote about the kickoff of the development of a downtown plan for the Village of Riverside. We also have a new landing page for Evanston's development of a water conservation and efficiency plan.

CMAP in the news. On Monday, the new Oakton Street station began operation on the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Yellow Line in the Village of Skokie. The Chicago Tribune's preview of the opening described how CMAP's Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) program helped to fund the station. The Zion-Benton News also covered the Village of Winthrop Earth Day panel regarding interjurisdictional cooperation on Lake Michigan resources and quotes CMAP staff Hala Ahmed, who also spoke on the panel. And a Times of Northwest Indiana story about the Southeast Commuter Rail Transit District quotes CMAP's Don Kopec.

Invasive species workshop. The Morton Arboretum and the Northeastern Illinois Invasive Plant Partnership will host the 2012 Invasive Species workshop on May 24 at the Morton Arboretum (4100 Illinois 53, Lisle) from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The workshop will feature speakers discussing past, present, and future invasive species in our state.

Streets for Cycling Plan 2020 public meetings. The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) is holding open houses and webinars throughout Chicago to get input on a draft network for the Streets for Cycling Plan 2020. The plan will identify a network of bicycling facilities that will make bike trips safe and comfortable for Chicagoans. For information and webinar reservations, visit this CDOT web page.
 

 

Data Depot

Brownfield cleanup. CMAP’s MetroPulse data portal tracks the percentage of municipalities that, in a 2010 survey, reported public or private remediation of brownfields in their community. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides more detailed information about actual cleanup sites and their locations.

Data in the news. This week, a KMWorld Magazine editorial featured MetroPulse as a case study of how public access to data can increase government transparency. CMAP’s Greg Sanders is quoted in the article.

 

CMAP Blogs

Soles and Spokes. CMAP’s bike-ped planning blog highlighted a new Health Economic Assessment Tool (HEAT) from the World Health Organization designed to assess the economic value of health benefits associated with walking and cycling. We also featured three educational videos made by Dan Burden and the Walkable and Livable Communities Institute to help the general public understand the basics of walkability, road diets, and head-out angled parking.

 

Reminders

Elgin-O'Hare comment period. Public comments are being sought through May 14 regarding the draft environmental impact statement for the Elgin-O'Hare West Bypass, which is among the major capital projects recommended by GO TO 2040.

Chicago food plan meetings. At a series of public meetings, Chicago residents can learn and provide feedback about the City's “Healthy Food Chicago” plan. To RSVP or request special accommodations, contact info@healthyplaceschicago.org or 312-573-7786.

Construction season. Our website features a map showing construction planned throughout the region for 2012, as well as a resource page for real-time construction information. To help build system operators' awareness of other agencies’ scheduled projects, CMAP held a meeting in February for implementers to exchange information about 2012 construction.

 

Events

20th Congress for the New Urbanism
May 9 to 12, 2012
West Palm Beach, FL
More information

Woodstock Community Investment Awards
May 10, 2012
4:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Instituto Cervantes of Chicago: 31 W. Ohio, Chicago
More information

Norridge open house
May 10, 2012
5:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Estelle Sieb Community Center: 7774 W. Irving Park Road, Norridge
Hosted by the Village of Norridge and CMAP
More information

Bronzeville Retail Development Initiative planning meeting
May 12, 2012
8:30 a.m. to noon
Charles A. Hayes Family Investment Center: 4859 S. Wabash Avenue, Chicago
Hosted by the Bronzeville Alliance, CMAP, and the Metropolitan Planning Council
More information

County Green
May 17, 2012
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
College of Lake County: 19351 W. Washington Street, Building C, Grayslake
More information

Energy Impact Illinois Volunteer Training
May 19, 2012
10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Center for Neighborhood Technology: 1741 N. Western, Chicago

 

 

Posted on April 27, 2012 2:25 PM
Comment
CMAP Weekly Update, 4-27-12

Among the highlights from CMAP executive director Randy Blankenhorn, a new report on how parking strategies can support livability, a Policy Update on the latest in federal transportation reauthorization, a new EI2 program and upcoming training for Impact Team volunteers, and CMAP's website features a new series of animated maps of truck travel speeds on I-90. Subscribe to get Weekly Updates by e-mail.

 

 

              

Table of Contents

 

 

First Off...

Earth Day Summit. For a third straight year, the Illinois Tollway convened its Earth Day Summit of our region's transportation agencies this past Monday. The Tollway intends the event as a way for regional leaders to "come together to share ideas, debate options and, ultimately, attempt to reach a consensus on ways to finance multimodal transportation projects." CMAP Board vice chair Susan Campbell was among the speakers, and I moderated a panel in addition to being interviewed during the summit by WDCB radio. Read more in the Atlantic and the Daily Herald.

Parking strategies. CMAP has issued a report on "Parking Strategies to Support Livable Communities." As the report states, parking is among the largest land uses in a community, and it is a tool that municipalities can use to promote livability.

Transportation reauthorization. Negotiators from the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives will meet on May 8, 2012, to reconcile their respective versions of a new surface transportation bill, H.R. 4348. Read more in our Policy Updates blog.

Yellow Line Station. Monday will be an exciting day for residents in and around Skokie as their new CTA Yellow Line station will begin operation (4:45 a.m., to be exact) at Oakton St. The Skokie Review provides historical context, complete with a mention of CATS, one of CMAP's predecessor agencies. Our CMAQ program helped to pay for the station.

 

Other News and Announcements

Local Technical Assistance (LTA) in the news. The Morton Grove Champion quotes CMAP staff Nicole Woods in its story about the LTA-supported development of an industrial subarea plan for the Village of Morton Grove. Don't forget to register for the first LTA Ideas Exchange event on May 24, 2012, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the second floor of UBS Tower, One North Wacker Drive, Chicago. In addition to highlighting accomplishments and lessons learned in the program's inaugural year, this special event will be an opportunity for attendees to discuss grant opportunities -- including the next LTA call for projects, which CMAP will post in the second week of May. Elected officials, municipal planners, and other stakeholders are encouraged to attend.

Local ordinances and toolkits. To help municipalities pursue policies aligned with GO TO 2040 recommendations, our Local Ordinances and Toolkits program will be posting resources on the CMAP website, including a Model Water Conservation Ordinance in addition to the parking strategies report mentioned above.

Featured case study. The current landfill capacity of metropolitan Chicago is expected to last less than 15 years, according to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. Locally based Green Organics, Inc. has developed processes that could convert over 15,000 cubic yards of food waste here annually into valuable compost, helping to conserve landfill capacity. If you know of an exemplary project for the GO TO 2040 case study library, please contact Lindsay Banks (312-386-8826) or submit it on-line.

New EI2 program. Through the Home Energy Renovations for Employees (HERE) program, employees can now make renovations and home improvements that reduce energy waste and lower utility bill costs. HERE allows employers to match employee’s energy efficiency improvement costs dollar-for-dollar up to $3,000. This program is led by the Metropolitan Planning Council through Energy Impact Illinois (EI2), an alliance of government agencies, utility companies, and citizen advocacy groups.

EI2 volunteer training. On May 19, EI2 will host training for Impact Team volunteers at the Center for Neighborhood Technology (1741 N. Western, Chicago) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The training will include home energy efficiency 101, EI2 tools and outreach, and events for Impact Team members. Food will be provided and volunteers can RSVP on-line.

Prospering in Place event. On May 2, the Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT) will host an event to discuss Prospering in Place, a report on strategies to increase location efficiency and support job creation and economic vitality in the region, at the offices of Sidley, Austin LLP (1 S. Dearborn, Chicago) from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. The CNT report used GO TO 2040 as a springboard for its recommendations. Cook County board president Toni Preckwinkle, Oak Park president David Pope, and CNT transportation and community development director Maria Choca Urban will speak. To RSVP, contact Kyle Smith (ksmith@cnt.org or 773-269-4036). Planetizen wrote about the report this week.

Woodstock reception. On May 10, the Woodstock Institute will host its 2012 Community Investment Awards reception and film screening of “The Flaw” at Instituto Cervantes of Chicago from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. The film examines the roots of the financial crisis. Read more and register at http://theflaw.eventbrite.com/.

IL Route 53/120 in the news. The Daily Herald wrote about the April 20 Illinios Route 53/120 Blue Ribbon Advisory Council meeting. The corridor is one of GO TO 2040's recommended major capital projects.

New EV incentive programs. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced two new incentive programs for the electric vehicle (EV) industry. The EV charging stations rebates program will provide rebates towards installation of public, commercial, and residential Level II charging stations. The deadline for submitting rebate applications and completing projects is June 15, 2012. The EV Industry Development grants will provide up to 50 percent funding for projects that support EV and EV supply equipment production through the development or expansion of related businesses. Grant applications are due May 31, 2012.

National Public Works Week. The American Public Association of Public Works will celebrate the 2012 National Public Works Week with “Public Works: Creating a Lasting Impression” from May 20 to 26. Events and outreach focus on the importance of public works to the community and how public work professionals use sustainable methods to plan and build public works.

Green Infrastructure Grants awarded. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency awarded nearly $5 million in Green Infrastructure Grants to decrease pollution of Illinois waterways by stormwater. Funded projects in northeastern Illinois include the Villages of Franklin Park, La Grange, Schaumburg, and Glenview; the Cities of Aurora and Chicago; 21st Century Sustainable Schoolyard; the City of Chicago’s 20th ward; and Urban Juncture, Inc.
 
 

Data Depot

Truck speed animations. CMAP has prepared a series of animated maps showing truck travel speeds on portions of I-90 from April to October 2011. Data is aggregated by milepost, time of day, and day of the week. Comparing the videos reveals the variability in speed by day of week. Several I-90 segments are especially slow during Friday afternoon peak periods. As shown by recently posted Congestion Management Process data, most truck travel already occurs during off-peak hours. GO TO 2040 recommends strategies for governments and businesses to facilitate additional off-peak travel by trucks.

Arts organization revenue. CMAP’s MetroPulse data portal tracks, by county, revenue received by art and cultural organizations. It is no surprise that Cook County records the largest revenues, primarily because downtown Chicago is home to several world-class cultural attractions. All of these major arts organizations, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Art Institute of Chicago, host extensive outreach efforts that foster arts education and audience development across the CMAP region.

Arts occupation earnings. As part of the Cultural Vitality Indicators project, users can now find average annual earnings for various artistic occupations in each of the counties on MetroPulse.


 

CMAP Blogs

Policy Updates. We wrote about the newly approved Chicago Infrastructure Trust, which will operate as a nonprofit corporation that pools private and institutional investment funds with grants and bond proceeds. Using these resources, the trust will provide tailored financing packages to support public infrastructure projects.

Green Signals. CMAP’s transportation operations blog told readers about a primer on applying a regional intelligent transportation system (ITS) architecture to support planning for operations.

Soles and Spokes. CMAP’s bike-ped planning blog announced the latest webinar in the National Center for Safe Routes to School Coaching Action Network series on how to find funding for SRTS projects. We also mentioned a funding opportunity offered by the American Heart Association for projects focused on reducing childhood obesity. Finally, we were happy to report that the League of Illinois Bicyclists won the Advocacy Award for Best Practices given each year by the Alliance for Biking and Walking.

 

Reminders

Elgin-O'Hare comment period. Public comments are being sought through May 14 regarding the draft environmental impact statement for the Elgin-O'Hare West Bypass, which is among the major capital projects recommended by GO TO 2040.

Chicago food plan meetings. At a series of public meetings, Chicago residents can learn and provide feedback about the City's “Healthy Food Chicago” plan. To RSVP or request special accommodations, contact info@healthyplaceschicago.org or 312-573-7786.

FLIP application. The 2012-13 application is now available for CMAP’s Future Leaders in Planning (FLIP). Selected high school students from around the region meet one Saturday a month and go behind the scenes to learn about what keeps our region strong, safe, healthy, and moving. Any freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior in the CMAP region is eligible to apply. For more information, contact Ricardo Lopez (rlopez@cmap.illinois.gov or 312-386-8766).
 

 

Events

Transportation Conformity Workshops
April 24 to 26, 2012
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
CMAP: 233 S. Wacker Drive, Suite 800, Chicago
Hosted by the National Transit Institute
More information

20th Congress for the New Urbanism
May 9 to 12, 2012
West Palm Beach, FL
More information

Bronzeville Retail Development Initiative planning meeting
May 12, 2012
8:30 a.m. to noon
Charles A. Hayes Family Investment Center: 4859 S. Wabash Avenue, Chicago
Hosted by the Bronzeville Alliance, CMAP, and the Metropolitan Planning Council
More information

County Green
May 17, 2012
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
College of Lake County: 19351 W. Washington Street, Building C, Grayslake
More information

 

 

 

 

Posted on April 20, 2012 2:55 PM
Comment
CMAP Weekly Update, 4-20-12

Among the highlights from CMAP executive director Randy Blankenhorn, the Will County Board unanimously approves the Fairmont Neighborhood plan, updates on LTA projects in Lakemoor, Blue Island, Alsip, and Riverside, news on CMAQ projects in Evanston and Chicago, CMAP's website features a map of planned construction in 2012, and an upcoming watershed symposium. Subscribe to get Weekly Updates by e-mail.

 

 

              

Table of Contents

 

 

First Off...

Fairmont neighborhood plan. Yesterday, the Will County Board unanimously adopted the Fairmont Neighborhood plan. CMAP collaborated with the community and County on this plan through our Local Technical Assistance (LTA) program. This is the first plan of its kind for Fairmont, an unincorporated area between Lockport and Joliet. The plan will guide Fairmont's future growth with a focus on implementation. Read more at the Herald-News.

Thank you. Congratulations and best wishes to Marty Buehler as he retires after 39 years' service with the Lake County Division of Transportation. Marty has served on CMAP's MPO Policy Committee, Transportation Committee, and the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) program Project Selection Committee. Thank you for your service, Marty.

Policy Updates. On Wednesday the U.S. House of Representatives passed a proposal to extend the current federal transportation reauthorization program through September 30, 2012. We also wrote about economic development incentives being considered in the Illinois General Assembly.

LTA Ideas Exchange: Don't forget to register. Elected officials, municipal planners, and other stakeholders are encouraged to attend the first LTA program Ideas Exchange event on May 24, 2012, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the second floor of UBS Tower, One North Wacker Drive, Chicago. In addition to highlighting accomplishments and lessons learned in the program's inaugural year, this special event will be an opportunity for attendees to discuss grant opportunities -- including the next LTA call for projects, which CMAP will post in the second week of May.

 

Other News and Announcements

LTA updates. Wondering about the status of an LTA project? Each month we post a program update on the main LTA page, which also has links to pages describing each project. On May 10, the Village of Norridge and CMAP will host an open house to review its draft comprehensive plan from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the Estelle Sieb Community Center (7774 W. Irving Park Road, Norridge). CMAP is also working with the City of Evanston to create a water efficiency program that will help the City implement its Climate Action Plan. A public meeting will be held on April 26 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center (2100 Ridge Avenue, Room 2200, Evanston). A series of LTA meetings have already been held this month:

  • Yesterday, the Village of Lakemoor held a public meeting attended by 20 individuals to continue the planning process for its comprehensive plan. Read more in the Daily Herald.
  • On Monday, the City of Blue Island and CMAP hosted an open house for the City's draft comprehensive plan, which was attended by 50 people. See a photo slideshow from the open house, which is also on the project web page.
  • The Village of Alsip kick-off meeting for development of a comprehensive plan was attended by about two dozen residents on April 12.
  • The Village of Riverside held a public meeting with over 60 attendees to kick off the planning process for their downtown on April 11.
 
CMAQ in the news. Two projects receiving funds from CMAP’s CMAQ program were in the news this week. The Evanston City Council approved Asbury Avenue as the new location for a Yellow Line station in Evanston. And the Chicago City Council passed a plan to implement a bike-sharing program for several Chicago neighborhoods.

Elgin-O'Hare comment period. Public comments are being sought through May 14 regarding the draft environmental impact statement for the Elgin-O'Hare West Bypass, which is among the major capital projects recommended by GO TO 2040.

Construction season. Our website features a map showing construction planned throughout the region for 2012, as well as a resource page for real-time construction information. To help build system operators' awareness of other agencies’ scheduled projects, CMAP held a meeting in February for implementers to exchange information about 2012 construction.

CMAP media tip sheet. Our latest tip sheet includes information on the first LTA Ideas Exchange, Energy Impact Illinois "Impact Teams," new features on MetroPulse, and more.

Buffalo Creek Watershed. On April 25, the Buffalo Creek Clean Watershed Partnership (BCCWP) will hold its first public meeting at the Village Council Chambers (50 Raupp Boulevard, Buffalo Grove). Regional agencies including CMAP will lead discussions, providing opportunities for citizens and communities to learn and voice their concerns. For more information, contact Jeff Weiss (marjeff1@aol.com or 847-224-0965).

BRT open house. On May 2, the Chicago Department of Transportation, in partnership with the Chicago Transit Authority and Alderman Brendan Reilly (42nd Ward), will host an open house on the Central Loop (East-West) Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project at the Chicago Architecture Foundation from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. The event will feature two sessions for feedback and a one-hour presentation on the project plans. To RSVP, email Nick Nottoli (nnottoli@grisko.com).

Watershed symposium. On May 4, the Elgin Green Expo will host its “Watershed Wanderings” municipal symposium at the Centre of Elgin (100 Symphony Way, Elgin) from 1:00 to 7:30 p.m. CMAP staff member Holly Hudson will speak about the recently completed Blackberry Creek and Ferson-Otter Creek watershed plans. The event also features special guest Chad Pregracke on his vision for cleaning up rivers, a municipal panel discussion on water quality improvements in Fox River communities, and a 5,000 gallon aquarium full of fish from the Fox River. Prior to the symposium, there will be a Cultural History Pontoon Boat Tour on the Fox River. A concert to benefit Friends of the Fox River will follow the symposium from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. For more information and to register, visit Elgin Green Expo Municipal Symposium.

State funds for Chicago River disinfection. The State of Illinois announced plans to provide $10 million towards disinfecting sewage flowing into the Chicago River. These funds will be added to a $21 million fund that will build systems for sewage disinfection and include walking and biking paths along the river. Last May, federal mandates pushed for improvements to the quality of the waterway.

Chicago food plan meetings. At a series of public meetings, Chicago residents can learn and provide feedback about the City's “Healthy Food Chicago” plan. To RSVP or request special accommodations, contact info@healthyplaceschicago.org or 312-573-7786.

Electric Vehicle Forum. On May 23, the American Lung Association and partners will host “The Electric Vehicle Forum” at Moraine Valley Community College (9000 W. College Parkway, Palos Hills). The day will feature discussion on opportunities and challenges relating to electric vehicle use in Illinois. Register on-line.
 

Data Depot

Acres of infill potential. CMAP’s MetroPulse data portal tracks each county’s potential for infill. This indicator helps decision makers to monitor the stock of underutilized building sites and prioritize development in these areas. Many public programs that support building rehabilitation and modernization, including Energy Impact Illinois, provide a marketplace for improving the value of residential, commercial, and industrial structures. This helps a redeveloping neighborhood raise the improved value of its buildings and contributes to GO TO 2040’s goal of reinvesting in existing communities.

Illinois Innovation Index. The latest monthly Illinois Innovation Index e-newsletter came out this week and examined the role of exports in economic growth. Read more in a CMAP Policy Update. Metropolitan areas are particularly important for exports, contributing almost 85 percent of all U.S. export sales in 2010. The role of exports in the metropolitan Chicago economy is increasing -- from 2009 to 2010, our region’s export growth rate grew more quickly than that of Los Angeles or New York. All of the data used in the Index is available on MetroPulse.

Reminders

FLIP application. The 2012-13 application is now available for CMAP’s Future Leaders in Planning (FLIP). Selected high school students from around the region meet one Saturday a month and go behind the scenes to learn about what keeps our region strong, safe, healthy, and moving. Any freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior in the CMAP region is eligible to apply. For more information, contact Ricardo Lopez (rlopez@cmap.illinois.gov or 312-386-8766).

CNU20. Associates and friends of New Urbanism will host the 20th Congress of New Urbanism (CNU20) “The New World” from May 9 to 12 in West Palm Beach, FL. The event will feature speakers and panels to discuss the challenges and opportunities of 21st Century New Urbanism, including topics such as “Doing Well by Doing Good” and “Designing Place Collaboratively.” Participants can register on-line.

 

Events

Transportation Conformity Workshops
April 24 to 26, 2012
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
CMAP: 233 S. Wacker Drive, Suite 800, Chicago
Hosted by the National Transit Institute
More information

20th Congress for the New Urbanism
May 9 to 12, 2012
West Palm Beach, FL
More information

Bronzeville Retail Development Initiative planning meeting
May 12, 2012
8:30 a.m. to noon
Charles A. Hayes Family Investment Center: 4859 S. Wabash Avenue, Chicago
Hosted by the Bronzeville Alliance, CMAP, and the Metropolitan Planning Council
More information

County Green
May 17, 2012
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
College of Lake County: 19351 W. Washington Street, Building C, Grayslake
More information

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