Tip Sheet, 5-22-13

CMAP Media Tip Sheet

May 22, 2013

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.

 

CMAP and RTA seek community-based projects eligible for planning assistance and grants

Planning assistance and grants for local projects across metropolitan Chicago are now available through the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) Community Planning Program and CMAP Local Technical Assistance Program at www.rtachicago.com/applications. Proposed planning projects should implement recommendations of the GO TO 2040 comprehensive regional plan. As stated in the program guide, municipalities, counties, townships, councils of government/municipal associations, groups of two or more municipalities and the RTA's Service Boards (CTA, Metra, Pace) located within CMAP's seven-county region are eligible to apply for assistance. Applications are due at noon on Wednesday, June 26. For more information, see an on-line versionof a recent informational session or contact Erin Aleman (ealeman@cmap.illinois.gov or 312-386-8816). On Twitter, watch for the hashtag #CMAPLTA.

Proposed motor fuel sales tax "swap" analyzed in new CMAP Policy Update

As transportation and business leaders consider revenues for a possible new Illinois capital program, CMAP has conducted analysis of a proposalto eliminate the state motor fuel tax (MFT) and remove motor fuel from the 6.25-percent state sales tax base, which would then be replaced with an 18-percent wholesale tax on motor fuel. While this MFT-wholesale tax swap is intended to address the MFT's vulnerability to inflation, CMAP's Policy Updates blog analyzes the substantial impactsof volatility in fuel prices on the proposal's revenue yields and equity. At its May 2013 meeting, the CMAP Board approved a set of principles for reforming how the state's capital programs are funded and administered.

Homes for a Changing Region helps Carpentersville, East Dundee, Elgin, and West Dundee to develop coordinated housing plans

Having previously helped municipalities in the south, near west, and northwest suburbs, the Homes for a Changing Region project is now working with the Fox Valley communities of Carpentersville, East Dundee, Elgin, and West Dundee to chart future demand and supply trends for housing in their communities and develop long-term housing policy plans. These plans aim to create a balanced mix of housing, serve current and future populations, and enhance livability. Each municipality will host a public workshop to discuss how national, regional, and local housing trends will shape housing supply and demand over the next 30 years. Residents will have the opportunity to learn about the different types of housing developments in their community and where the expected residential growth likely will occur. Drop-ins are welcome, or contact Berenice Vallecillos (bvallecillos@cmap.illinois.govor 312-386-8623) for details of the four workshops:

  • East Dundee, Monday, June 10, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., Village Hall Annex, 120 Barrington Ave., East Dundee, IL 60118.
  • Carpentersville, Tuesday, June 11, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., Public Works Building, 1075 Tamarac Drive, Carpentersville, IL 60110.
  • West Dundee, Tuesday, June 18, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., Public Safety Center II, 100 Carrington Drive, West Dundee, IL 60118.
  • Elgin Community Workshop, Wednesday, June 19, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., the Centre Heritage Ballroom, 100 Symphony Way, Elgin, IL 60120.

 

CTA Red Line South projects improve service, access, and economy

During the CTA Red Line South reconstruction project that began on May 19, many commuters will find alternative routes to reach their destinations to and from the central business district of Chicago. The five-month project will rebuild the tracks from Cermak-Chinatown to 95th/Dan Ryan and, according to the CTA, "provide faster, more comfortable and more reliable service." A longer-term project, the Red Line South Extension, is among just a handful of major capital projects recommended in the GO TO 2040 comprehensive regional plan. Currently the CTA's most heavily used line, the Red Line is 22 miles long, and access to it by bus is especially difficult south of 95th St. By extending the line 5.5 miles south to 130th St. -- which will feature an intermodal terminal and major park-and-ride lot, in addition to intermediate stations at 103rd, 111th, and 115th Streets -- the extension will improve travel times, reduce the number of bus-to-rail transfers, increase access to jobs, and spur economic development. Through its Local Technical Assistance (LTA) program, CMAP collaborated with the Developing Communities Project (DCP) and the CTA on a livability report, which is available at http://www.cmap.illinois.gov/red-line/.

 

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About CMAP

The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) is the comprehensive regional planning organization for the northeastern Illinois counties of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will. By state and federal law, CMAP is responsible for producing the region's official, integrated plan for land use and transportation. The agency's innovative GO TO 2040 planning campaign develops and implements strategies to shape the region's transportation system and development patterns, while also addressing the natural environment, economic development, housing, education, human services, and other factors shaping quality of life. See www.cmap.illinois.gov for more information.