CMAP Media Tip Sheet

August 4, 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.
 

Local-level from Census 2010 shows shifts in demographics, housing

On August 4, 2011, the U.S. Census Bureau released new Census 2010 local-level demographic data for Illinois. Today CMAP is posting analysis with maps and charts at our Policy Updates blog, including:

• Overview of Trends in the Senior Population (median age changes by county)
• Overview of Housing Data (analysis of changes in housing units, rented vs. owned homes)
• Changes of Housing Vacancy Rates (comparing 2010 to 2000 data)

Also see www.cmap.illinois.gov/census for related spreadsheets and interactive visualizations and comparisons of 2010 data with 2000 and 1990. 

CMAP Local Technical Assistance program is profiled in new video 

CMAP has released the first video in a series highlighting the agency's Local Technical Assistance (LTA) program.  Funded by a three-year, $4.25 million HUD Sustainable Communities grant, the program provides CMAP staff assistance for local governments, nonprofits, and other organizations to help implement the GO TO 2040 comprehensive regional plan.  In CMAP's Moving Forward webspace, read about implementation activities, including LTA projects in Blue Island, Park Forest, Fairmont, and Berwyn.
 

GO TO 2040 projects featured in Tollway capital plan

The GO TO 2040 plan includes a select group of major capital projects chosen because they reflect clear regional priorities for a strong economy and high quality of life.  CMAP's Policy Updates blog has an on-going series of posts describing progress in implementing the GO TO 2040 capital projects, a number of which are featured in the Illinois Tollway's newly proposed 15-year, $12 billion capital plan.  Consistent with GO TO 2040's emphasis on maintenance and modernization, the Tollway proposes to allocate $8 billion for needs on the existing system.  GO TO 2040 projects in the Tollway plan include reconstruction, modernization, and capacity building to the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90); construction of the I-294/I-57 Interchange; construction of the Elgin O'Hare West Bypass; and extension of Central Lake County Corridor (IL 53 North and IL 120 Limited Access).  The Tollway will host a series of public meetings to solicit feedback from August 18 through 22, 2011. 
 

MetroPulse 1.1 released

CMAP and The Chicago Community Trust have made significant improvements to the usability of MetroPulse.  A recent webinar for updates on the latest MetroPulse 1.1 release is available.  Now users have the ability to bookmark custom tables, graphs, and maps. They can also access all three by clicking on any of the tiles on the homepage dashboard.  Visit www.metropulsechicago.org and try clicking on the grid, map, and star icons.  CMAP is one of the partners in the "Apps for Metro Chicago" contest, which challenges talented programmers across the region to develop data-driven software applications that increase government transparency.

 

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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.