Planning Technical Assistance Program

Taking local action for an inclusive and thriving region

The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) technical assistance program supports communities through planning and implementation assistance. This work aligns with implementing the comprehensive plan for the region, ON TO 2050.

Since the program’s creation, CMAP has supported more than 300 projects, helping to build local capacity, engage communities, make critical decisions, and connect local partners to funding and resources. CMAP hosts a call for projects each year jointly with the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA). In 2025, 30 projects were awarded technical assistance support.

View current and completed projects on the technical assistance projects map.

Types of assistance

CMAP partners with the RTA’s community planning program in a joint call for projects. Each agency offers different types of assistance, which change each year:

ADA self-evaluation and transition plans

CMAP works with local governments to support compliance with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The agency will help conduct self-evaluations and develop ADA Transition Plans, helping communities identify and prioritize improvements to make sidewalks, crosswalks, and curb ramps accessible.

Bicycle and pedestrian plans

CMAP supports local governments to create plans that identify improvements for people walking, bicycling, and getting around without a car and integrates and tests design and policy innovations. Projects will receive planning support for engagement, mapping, data analysis, and recommendations for transportation, safety, and livability improvements.

Capital improvement plans

CMAP works with local governments to evaluate existing capital planning processes; provide recommendations and training that can help develop a transparent, strategic, and successful planning process; and engage with the community to create a multi-year capital improvement plan.

Corridor plans

CMAP works with local governments to develop plans that address transportation and other improvements in a neighborhood, business district, corridor, riverfront, or other focus area. CMAP also will help develop goals for improvements, propose specific projects to address these goals, and create strategies to implement recommendations. As regional collaboration is a priority, CMAP encourages multijurisdictional applications.

NEXT Program (plan implementation assistance)

CMAP works with local governments taking next steps toward achieving outcomes outlined in local plans, including past CMAP and RTA plans. CMAP will work with communities to help organize implementation efforts, prioritize planned improvements, promote economic prosperity, develop an action plan, and assist with executing the action plan.

Local road safety plans

CMAP works with local governments to prepare a proactive, data-driven tool that helps communities identify, analyze, and prioritize roadway safety improvements. Assistance incorporates crash data, local insights, and steering committee guidance to reduce fatal and serious injury crashes. By evaluating all roads – regardless of jurisdiction – and applying a Safe System approach that anticipates human error, local road safety plans provide a holistic framework to improve safety for all users, including pedestrians and bicyclists, in high activity areas.

Please note: Local road safety plans offer recommended strategies but do not commit agencies to implement them; actions depend on priorities, funding, and community feedback.

Local housing readiness plans

CMAP works with eligible municipalities to provide technical assistance to develop housing readiness plans that diversify housing supply to better meet residents’ needs. Through these plans, communities can address regulatory barriers such as policy and code changes; identify strategic locations for future housing development; and build critical partnerships and communication tools.

This technical assistance category is open only to counties where a countywide housing readiness plan has been adopted or is currently underway. For the 2026 call for projects, only municipalities in McHenry and Kane counties are eligible to apply, as those counties are in the final stages of adopting their countywide housing readiness plans.

Node-oriented development plan

CMAP works with local governments to create node-oriented development plans that integrate strategies for transportation, housing, jobs, and retail/commercial development and in turn, strengthen each node’s role in the local and regional economy, transportation network.

Nodes serve as vibrant centers of activity, promote walkability, reduce vehicle miles traveled, and maximize the use of existing infrastructure.

Who can apply?

CMAP offers technical assistance to local governments in the seven-county region, Chicago community areas, and non-governmental organizations that partner with communities.

Have a question about technical assistance or an idea for a future project? CMAP staff are available to discuss them year-round. Contact us at applications@cmap.illinois.gov.

Applying for technical assistance

The 2026 call for technical assistance projects runs from March 30 through April 17. Apply today!

View a summary of applications received in 2025, and the 30 projects awarded technical assistance support.