GO TO 2040 Indicators Workshops. This summer, CMAP will host a series of workshops about the Regional Indicators Project, part of our GO TO 2040 planning campaign. To develop and evaluate strategies for implementing the GO TO 2040 regional vision, we’re working with The Chicago Community Trust and other partners to create indicators for predicting and measuring economic, environmental, social, and cultural variables that affect quality of life. These workshops give local officials, planners, and other stakeholders the chance to weigh in as to the measures that they consider important, whether they be employment rates, foreclosure rates, air quality, traffic congestion, water supply, or other topics. In addition to their important role in shaping our GO TO 2040 strategies and scenarios, the indicators will be available to the public through an exciting web-based "dashboard" system. The dashboard will enable decision makers to choose from among many graphic "gauges" to access indicator data relevant to them and the region. Click here for the workshop invitation flyer, which will be mailed early next week.

Chicago Matters features water. This month, the Chicago Matters media series is featuring the topic of water as it relates to our region's sustainability. Click here for a calendar of upcoming stories, which include segments on a WBEZ about efforts to clean up the Grand Calumet River and on WTTW about how citizens can help keep beaches clean.

Comcast Newsmakers. My interview with Comcast's Paul Lisnek will air next week on Channel 100 (Headline News). It is one of several Comcast Newsmakers segments that will be alternated at 24 and 54 minutes after each hour. You can see the video on-line at YouTube. I enjoyed the session with Paul, who asked me about CMAP's role in the region and about GO TO 2040.

RTA grant program. The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) is soliciting creative project proposals that are consistent with its Moving Beyond Congestion strategic plan. Communities, counties, and transportation providers are invited to apply for planning, operating, and capital grants that propose ideas to increase transit usage, provide for multi-modal connections, improve efficiency and effectiveness of local transit, improve access to jobs, and help to increase mobility for our region's seniors, people with disabilities and the general public. The RTA is seeking to award over $16 million in operating and capital transit projects through a competitive process. Additional funding is available for planning projects. Project applications are being accepted now through August 8. To learn more, attend an RTA open house 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Thursday, July 10, 2008, at the University Center – Loop/River Room, 525 S. State St. in Chicago. For directions, see http://www.universitycenter.com/assets/location.pdf.  Click here for information about RTA grant programs.