CMAP Media Tip Sheet

June 21, 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 Hillary Green (312-386-8619 and hgreen@cmap.illinois.gov) for more information.

 

Energy Impact Illinois offers summer energy efficiency tips

Energy Impact Illinois (EI2) is providing homeowners with energy efficiency tips to reduce utility consumption and costs during this hot summer. The average Illinois household spends $3,000 per year on energy. Five tips from EI2 can help homeowners reduce their costs by 15 to 30 percent -- an estimated $450 to $900 per year. 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.

 

Innovation Index explores link between driving innovation and STEM degrees

The Illinois Innovation Index for June examines how attainment of degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) can be an important measure of a state's ability to develop talent that drives innovation. Currently, the number of STEM degrees conferred in Illinois is just 11 percent of all degrees, below the national average of 14 percent.  Data from this month's Index is available on MetroPulse, with available data listed at the end of the newsletter.   The Index is a collaboration of the Illinois Science and Technology coalition, the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, World Business Chicago, and CMAP.

 

Communities tackle water conservation and efficiency through CMAP's LTA program

This summer, both the Village of Oak Park and the City of Evanston  are developing water conservation and efficiency plans through CMAP's Local Technical Assistance (LTA) program.  The plans outline specific actions that each community and their residents can take to reduce water use, including many that align with the recommendations made in Water 2050, the Northeastern Illinois Regional Water Supply/Demand Plan.  Conservation coordinators, leak detection and repair, fixture rebate programs, outreach and education strategies, and outdoor water use are all addressed in the plans, among other topics.  CMAP has also partnered with the Village of Orland Park to incorporate elements from the 2010 CMAP Model Water Use Conservation Ordinance into existing ordinances and regulations. In early June, Village of Orland Park Board of Trustees reviewed the final draft report for the Orland Park Water Conservation Program.

 

CMAP's Policy Updates blog series explores best practices to measure and mitigate congestion

While we may "know it when we see it," congestion remains a difficult phenomenon to measure and a challenging issue to mitigate as the region continues to grow.  To help clarify these issues, a two-part Policy Updates series explores traffic congestion studies and strategies for improvement.  The first post explores the methodologies commonly used in congestion studies.  A second Policy Update describes strategies to mitigate traffic congestion and explored the nature of traffic congestion more broadly.

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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.