Registration is open for two "how-to" workshops on applying to the Illinois Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program.  The workshops, to be held in Bolingbrook (Thursday, October 7) and Chicago (Friday, October 8) will help communities understand the steps necessary to apply for federal SRTS funds, which allow communities to put the infrastructure and programs in place to facilitate walking and cycling to school.

Workshop registration is required and is available online.

The workshops will be conducted by Megan Holt-Swanson, Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) SRTS Coordinator, and will start with a one-hour mini-workshop on the five “Es” of Safe Routes to School.  Following the “5 Es” workshop, Holt-Swanson will go through step-by-step instructions for the development of the school travel plans (required) and for filling out the application.  She will also review best practices and next steps for potential applicants.  The workshops will end with a question and answer session.

These "how-to" workshops are free and open to all Illinois communities and schools.  They will be of particular interest to communities participating in CMAP’s eight day-long SRTS Community Workshops, which present the national SRTS Course curriculum.

• The October 7 workshop will take place in the Village of Bolingbrook at Bolingbrook Town Center, 317 West Briarcliff Road, Bolingbrook, IL.  The preliminary “5 Es” mini-workshop will run from 12:45 to 2:00 p.m.  The main workshop will be from 2:00 to 4:30 p.m.
• The October 8 workshop will be at CMAP offices, 233 South Wacker Drive, Suite 800, Chicago, IL.  The “5 Es” mini-workshop will be from 8:45 to 10:00 a.m.  The main workshop will run from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

More information about the Illinois SRTS Program is available on-line.