When new businesses decide to locate in areas with existing infrastructure on vacant or underutilized "infill" land, everybody wins. Without the need to invest in extending new roads, sewer systems, and power lines to undeveloped areas, taxpayers and local governments save money. Open space is preserved.  Communities that may be struggling with vacant lots see new jobs, resources, and... Read More

On July 10-11, 2012, CMAP hosted a peer exchange event through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)/Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Transportation Planning Capacity Building program.  This event focused on the use of performance-based evaluation criteria in the evaluation and funding of transportation projects.  The participating peer agencies included three... Read More

UPDATE:  A memo sent to the CMAP Board on August 2, 2012, includes further in-depth analysis of the FY2013 State Budget.  Shortly before the end of Fiscal Year 2012, Governor Quinn signed the FY13 state budget into law.  The FY13 general funds budget totals $33.7 billion, up slightly from the $33.6 billion enacted in FY12.  It is approximately $57 million less... Read More

Note:  This is the second in a three-part Policy Updates series on  Metropolitan Chicago’s Freight Cluster:  A Drill-Down Report on Infrastructure, Innovation, and Workforce: Metropolitan Chicago's Freight Cluster Part 1, Infrastructure Metropolitan Chicago's Freight Cluser Part 2, Innovation Metropolitan Chicago's Freight Cluster Part 3, Workforce ... Read More

On-line job boards – which connect job seekers to employers – now account for one in five of all new hires. While these boards connect job seekers to more open positions and give companies access to more qualified applicants, they have also emerged as a valuable research tool for information about the labor market. The July 2012 edition of the Illinois Innovation Index looks at the largest... Read More