CMAP Media Tip Sheet

May 24, 2011

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.

 

Illinois transportation feels impact of federal budget deal

The federal budget for FY2011 will have a deep impact on a variety of northeastern Illinois projects. While many important transportation projects face significant reductions, projects funded by the Highway Trust program -- including metropolitan planning funds (which largely support the work of CMAP and other regional agencies across the U.S.) -- maintain budgets consistent with FY2010. CMAP and its regional partners have also closely watched reductions and changes to local housing, economic and environmental initiatives. The Policy Updates blog offers a detailed summary on Local Impacts of the Federal FY 2011 Budget Deal.

 

CMAP Policy Updates blog features GO TO 2040 capital projects

CMAP is also posting a series of Policy Updates on the development of GO TO 2040 capital projects.  Currently featured is the proposed Central Lake County Corridor project, which follows the series' examination of the Elgin O'Hare Expressway and West O'Hare Bypass Improvements. 

 

Water 2050 forum highlights water's true value

On June 9, CMAP, the Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant, and the University of Illinois Extensionwill host a Water 2050 forum.  "Sustaining the Triple Bottom Line: The Full Value of Water Resources"will provide policymakers, sustainability managers and officers, and others with information on how resource impacts can be measured, valued, and incorporated into decision making. Speakers will address sustainability initiatives, water certification, water impact indexing, methods for valuing water resources, and related topics. This free public event is open to the public.  RSVP to Jamie Krell (jkrell@cmap.illinois.gov or 312-386-8658).   

 

Locomotive retrofits yield better air quality

Each year, CMAP's Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) program provides approximately $70 million in federal funds for projects that improve air quality in the metropolitan Chicago region.  Sponsored activities include retrofitting locomotives to greatly reduce the amount of particulate matter that is released into the air by older, less-efficient engines.  Indiana Harbor Belt Railway will display their retrofitted GenSet locomotives at Railroad Daze in Franklin Park on June 12. 

 

Regional Indicators Project and Congestion Management Process help analyze on-time performance of transit

As described in the Green Signals blog, CMAP recently collected and summarized on-time performance data for local transit operators as part of the Regional Indicators Project and federally mandated Congestion Management Process.  More information and graphics relating to regional transit performance can be found on-line. Other regional transportation performance measures, including transit, can be found on MetroPulse, part of the Regional Indicators Project partnership of CMAP and the Chicago Community Trust.

 

High school students promote safe routes to school in Fairmont

High school students from throughout the region made recommendations for Fairmont's Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Grant proposal in Will County through CMAP's Future Leaders in Planning (FLIP) program. FLIP is a leadership development opportunity where students can contribute to a better future for our region. Students held their final presentation on May 7 to present recommendations for how local Fairmont students can walk or bike to school more safely with the addition of a sidewalk and community work through Will County's SRTS proposal (see photos from the event).  CMAP is currently accepting applications for the 2011-12 FLIP program.  To build upon the work already done by FLIP, Will County and CMAP hosted a public meeting on May 19 to solicit feedback on the comprehensive plan being developed for unincorporated Fairmont with local technical assistance staff funded by a HUD grant.  Read more in Trib Local.  CMAP is providing technical assistance to the County in this effort, including help with public participation in the plan's development. 

 

CMAP and RTA to fund community planning projects

CMAP and the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) are is now accepting grant applications for the 2012 Community Planning Program. These competitive grants will provide funding for northeastern Illinois municipalities to participate in projects linking land use and transportation. The two agencies' partnership will provide additional funding to an expanded base of eligible applicants and projects, as well as facilitate inter-agency coordination. The application deadline is 3:00 p.m. CST on June 9, 2011.

 

LaGrange Park students GO TO 2040

Students in LaGrange Park Junior High School's STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) class recently held a "Wheel-In" Day to help promote walking and biking after learning about GO TO 2040.  The students were also busy this winter as they came up with ways to help promote the plan recommendations for sustainable local food, which they presented to CMAP Board Chairman Mayor Gerald Bennett of Palos Hills, Board Member President Mike Gorman of Riverside, Mayor James Discipio of LaGrange Park, Mayor Elizabeth Asperger of LaGrange, Mayor Michael Garvey of Brookfield, and CMAP Executive Director Randy Blankenhorn.  Read and see a video about how the students promoted sustainable local food in our Moving Forward webspace. 

--END--

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.