CMAP Media Tip Sheet

August 24, 2011

This tip sheetbriefly 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.
 

Transportation bill and gas tax reauthorizations come down to the wire in DC

The current extension of federal SAFETEA-LU transportation authorization legislation will expire on September 30.  Also due to expire on that date are several excise taxes that support the federal Highway Trust Fund.  Read more in a pair of recent CMAP Policy Updates.  The first explores several bills presented as alternatives to the ones introduced in the House (whose six-year, $230 billion proposal would reduce funding by 30 percent relative to SAFETEA-LU) and the Senate (whose two-year, $109 billion proposal would maintain current funding levels).  CMAP also blogged about the potentially devastating effects of allowing revenue sources for the Highway Trust Fund to expire.  The only tax increase that the GO TO 2040 comprehensive regional plan for metropolitan Chicago calls for is the motor fuel tax at the state and federal levels, which have not increased -- while losing much of their purchasing power due to inflation -- over the past 20 years.
 

CMAP looks at Latino demographics and housing

CMAP's Policy Updates blog has analysis of population and housing trends in our region's growing Latino population.  Based on new Census 2010 data, the post shows that Latino residents in the seven-county region increased 29.5 percent between 2000 and 2010, compared to overall regional growth of 3.6 percent.   The region's overall Latino population increased by 415,876 during the decade (see chart below), with older suburban communities directly west of Chicago and in the collar counties experiencing significant Latino growth as percentage of the overall population (see map).

All counties experienced growth in Latino housing -- both owner-occupied and renter-occupied units.  Starting from a relatively small base of Latino population, Kendall County experienced growth of more than 300 percent for all housing categories.  DuPage and suburban Cook registered 50 to 60 percent increases in Latino-occupied housing, while Chicago's lower growth rates further suggest some suburbanization of Latino housing.  The Policy Update post also links to a CMAP Regional Snapshot report, Latinos in Our Region, prepared as part of the GO TO 2040 comprehensive regional plan's development.
 

CMAP Board expresses strong support for proposed Tollway capital plan

As the Illinois Tollway began its campaign for a proposed 15-year, $12 billion capital plan, the CMAP Board voted unanimously to approve a supporting statement that refers to the plan as "a necessary and brave step."  As pointed out in the letter from CMAP Board chairman Gerald Bennett (mayor of Palos Hills), the Tollway plan aligns well with GO TO 2040, which emphasizes maintenance and modernization of the current transportation system, along with carefully targeted expansion to maximize economic and quality-of-life benefits.  On Thursday, August 25, CMAP executive director Randy Blankenhorn will make a presentation to the Tollway board, summarizing CMAP's position in light of public hearings that wrapped up this week.  The Tollway board is set to vote on approval of the proposed capital plan and passenger vehicle toll increase at the meeting.
 

National League of Cities event series comes to Chicago on September 20

CMAP and the Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) are assisting the National League of Cities, which on Tuesday, September 20, at the Ritz-Carlton Chicago will host Building Cities, Building Futures, part of a national tour with a local focus on using sustainable infrastructure as a catalyst for economic competitiveness. This free event from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. will feature keynotes from national thought leaders and industry experts, facilitated discussions, and best practice review, all focused on pressing infrastructure issues.  Reporters are welcome, but space is very limited, so please register on-line.

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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.