CMAP Media Tip Sheet

March 25, 2014

This tip sheet briefly summarizes newsworthy activities of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP). Reporters should contact Justine Reisinger (312-386-8802 and jreisinger@cmap.illinois.gov) or Hillary Green (312-386-8619 and hgreen@cmap.illinois.gov) for more information.

Analysis shows how balanced housing options benefit communities

CMAP and the Chicago Area Fair Housing Alliance (CAFHA) have released Fair Housing and Equity Assessment: Metropolitan Chicago. The report finds that communities with a well-balanced supply of housing enjoy many economic and social benefits that include more reliable tax revenues, more sustainable development, and more opportunities for regional collaboration, especially related to infrastructure development.  CMAP and CAFHA plan to work with local governments that wish to address these issues proactively. The report can also help communities capitalize on pending requirements for U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development grant recipients. For more information, contact Kendra Smith (ksmith@cmap.illinois.gov or 312-386-8774).  

Major metro organizations develop national freight principles

CMAP and other major U.S. metropolitan planning organizations have developed a set of freight principles for the next federal transportation reauthorization bill. CMAP has co-signed statements issued by these organizations and the Coalition for America's Gateways and Trade Corridors calling for the integration of metropolitan regions in federal freight decision-making and increased attention to multimodal transportation. On February 27, CMAP Board chairman Gerald Bennett testified at "Improving the Nation's Highway Freight Network," a special U.S. House of Representatives hearing on the importance of freight. 

Energy efficiency alliance explores impact of regional initiatives

The U.S. Department of Energy approved the final technical report for the recently completed Energy Impact Illinois (EI2) project led by CMAP.  The report includes detailed reviews of the 2010-13 program's strategies, implementation methods, challenges, lessons learned, and final results. Its primary goal was to accelerate energy efficiency retrofitting activities across single-family, multifamily, and commercial building sectors in the region.  Through its financing and incentive programs, EI2 cumulatively reduced energy usage among participants by an estimated 4 million kilowatt hours (kWh) and 2 million therms of natural gas, or a total of 211,000 million British Thermal Units (MMBtus) annually. These activities led to an annual reduction of 10,855 metric tons in carbon dioxide (CO₂) emitted in the Chicago region -- the equivalent of taking 2,261 automobiles off the road. 

CMAP high school leadership program accepting applications

Applications are now available for the 2014-15 Future Leaders in Planning (FLIP) program. Participating high school students from throughout the region meet one Saturday per month to learn about issues that shape our region's economy and quality of life. Priority deadline applications must be postmarked or emailed by Friday, May 30, 2014. For more information, contact Ricardo Lopez (rlopez@cmap.illinois.gov or 312-386-8766).