CMAP Media Tip Sheet

April 16, 2012

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 Tom Garritano (312-386-8609 and tgarritano@cmap.illinois.gov) for more information.

 

Local technical assistance event will highlight completion of planning projects, preview future opportunities

Dozens of communities across the metropolitan Chicago region are planning for a brighter future with help from CMAP's Local Technical Assistance (LTA) program, which began one year ago with a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.  On May 24 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at UBS Tower, One North Wacker Drive, Chicago, the first LTA Ideas Exchange event will describe planning successes of 70 local governments, nonprofits, and intergovernmental organizations addressing local issues at the intersection of transportation, land use, housing, including the environment, economy, and community development.  In addition to hearing about accomplishments and lessons learned in the program's inaugural year, attendees will gain insights about the next LTA call for projects and additional grant funding opportunities. Elected officials, municipal planners, and other stakeholders are encouraged to attend.  News media can register for free by emailing hgreen@cmap.illinois.gov.

 

Energy Impact Illinois "Impact Teams" help promote energy efficiency in communities

Energy Impact Illinois (EI2) is creating Impact Teams to help spread the word about EI2 in their neighborhoods to help make homes energy efficient. Team volunteers will help host neighborhood events, connect EI2 with local organizations, and be a face for EI2 at community events. Volunteers can sign up on-line to join the effort. Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, EI2 is a CMAP-led alliance of government agencies, utility companies, and citizen advocacy groups helping residents, businesses, and non-profits to reduce energy use.

 

MetroPulse 1.3 release features simplified navigation, expanded data

CMAP and The Chicago Community Trust have released a new update of the MetroPulse regional data portal at www.metropulsechicago.org.  A brief video details how MetroPulse 1.3 incorporates user feedback to guide design modifications such as simplified navigation, greater emphasis on indicator descriptions, and increased screen real estate devoted to visualizations. MetroPulse is used to promote effective decision making and to track progress in implementation of the GO TO 2040 comprehensive regional plan

 

New watershed plans and water conservation resources featured on updated CMAP water webpages

The Water section of CMAP's website has been updated with news on the region's water quality planning activities, including recent watershed plans CMAP has developed for Blackberry Creek, Ferson-Otter Creek, and Silver Creek and Sleepy Hollow Creek. The Water 2050 implementation section includes the April Water 2050 newsletter, resources on water conservation planning, and code updates. Adopted in 2010, the Water 2050 plan is intended to ensure availability of clean water for household, commercial, and other users through mid-century. It was commissioned by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to address population and economic growth that could lead to  water shortages in the region.

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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.