CMAP Media Tip Sheet

August 14, 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.

Shedding light on local economic development incentives

A new CMAP report, Examination of Local Economic Development Incentives in Northeastern Illinois, analyzes how local governments use incentives to attract or retain businesses such as retail stores, auto dealerships, corporate offices, and manufacturing or warehousing industries. Economic development incentives are among the issues CMAP has been studying as recommended by CMAP's Regional Tax Policy Task Force. For more information, read a Policy Update on the report. 
 

Foreclosure settlement award will benefit housing plans in metropolitan Chicago region

A grant of $448,448 from the National Foreclosure Settlement will allow CMAP, the Metropolitan Planning Council, and the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus to create a toolkit and provide training that will allow communities to produce their own Homes for a Changing Region plans. The award is part of $70 million granted nationally to support community revitalization and housing counseling, with funding from the landmark consumer-protection settlement between U.S. mortgage servicers, the federal government, and 49 states. Read more in an MPC blog post.
 

Case studies library tracks local implementation of GO TO 2040 comprehensive regional plan

CMAP's GO TO 2040 case studies library was recently updated with several completed Local Technical Assistance (LTA) program projects. For example, the Village of Addison is updating its building code in a manner that will encourage residential rehabilitation, as recommended by its comprehensive plan, which was adopted by the Village in January 2013. Building on recommendations from the 2012 Blue Island comprehensive plan, the City adopted a new zoning ordinance for its Vermont Street Metra station area and "Uptown" district to allow for high-quality, mixed-used development. Many implementation activities are underway in Will County for the unincorporated Fairmont area's neighborhood plan:  Will County, the Lockport Township Park District, and Openlands recently opened a new community garden; Lockport Township and Pace partnered to install the community's first bus shelters; and upgrades have been made to stormwater infrastructure in Fairmont's residential areas, which were previously prone to flooding. 
 

CMAP invites proposals for new federal Transportation Alternatives Program

Local or regional government entities responsible for transportation or multi-use trails are eligible to apply for funds to build bicycle and pedestrian facilities using funding from the new federal Transportation Alternatives Program, which is administered by CMAP. Applicants must provide at least 20 percent of the total project cost from non-federal sources, and these matching funds must already be committed when the proposal is submitted to CMAP.  Applications are due August 20, 2013. 
 

Residents and other stakeholders are encouraged to give feedback during GO TO 2040 comment period

CMAP seeks comment on a proposed amendment that would add the Illiana Corridor project to the GO TO 2040 comprehensive regional plan list of fiscally constrained projects. The 32-day comment period lasts from August 2 to September 3, 2013. The Board and MPO Policy Committee are scheduled to vote on the amendment in October. In addition, a conformity amendment to the FFY 2010-15 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) has been released for comment through September 3, 2013. See the CMAP website for a description of conformity. To comment on either the GO TO 2040 or TIP amendments, please write to CMAP, ATTN Plan and TIP amendments, 233 S. Wacker Dr., Suite 800, Chicago IL 60606. Comments can also be made via CMAP by e-mail, or phone (312-454-0400).

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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.