Weekly Update, 11/7/08

Randy Blankenhorn

Civic pride. CMAP exists as a non-partisan agency.  We don't pick sides in elections and never will -- it wouldn't be appropriate, and it would quickly undermine the regional spirit that our Board and staff work so hard to create.  Yet I would be remiss if I didn't note the events of this week, especially in the context of what they could mean for this region that we all love.  Regardless of one's political persuasion, there are reasons to be proud.  I saw a lot of civic pride on display Tuesday night in a public space that is part of Daniel Burnham's legacy.  And people across the world saw images of metropolitan Chicago that can only help our region's international stature at a time when economic competitiveness -- not to mention the 2016 Olympics -- is on everyone's mind. 

As a region, we have a lot of hard work ahead of us.  Many observers speculate that the new administration in Washington will be predisposed to supporting programs that promote a regional approach to issues like transportation, housing, the environment, and economic development.  Metropolitan regions drive the U.S. economy.  They are home to 80 percent of the nation's population, and they generate 85 percent of the gross domestic product.  CMAP is working with its partners to articulate a federal agenda to support regional planning in northeastern Illinois and other metropolitan regions across the nation.  The challenges are daunting, yet I am optimistic due to the regional momentum that has been building for years.  Metropolitan Chicago should be at the vanguard of promoting regional solutions, just as our city took center stage this week.  We can get there by working together, setting aside our differences to pursue a regional vision.  In fact, that's not very different from some of the challenges our new president will face in seeking to unite the nation.

Tollway hearing.  Yesterday, the Illinois Tollway held a hearing in Hoffman Estates for public comment on the proposed new phase of its Congestion Relief Program.  Gordon Smith of CMAP testified in support of the program, which will introduce green lanes and new interchanges. Read about the hearing in a story by the Daily Herald. Titled "Tomorrow's Transportation Today," the initiative is described in a press release from the Governor's office.  Click here for details of other hearings, which continue through November 14.

Climate change report.  In a new report (PDF 836 KB) commissioned by CMAP, the USDOT's Volpe Center makes recommendations on how CMAP might incorporate goals to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and reduce energy use in the GO TO 2040 plan. CMAP staff is looking for feedback on Volpe's conclusions and recommendations. This paper gathers background information, clarifies issues, and presents recommendations, but it does not reflect adopted CMAP policy. We hope it will spark discussion by our stakeholders on the GO TO 2040 plan's role in climate change mitigation.  For more information, contact Jesse Elam at 312-386-8688.

GO TO 2040 Community Conversations. See http://www.goto2040.org/conversations.aspx for an updated list of Community Conversations that CMAP has scheduled for residents to discuss the GO TO 2040 campaign. Next week, we'll have two meetings: 

• Bloomingdale Public Library (101 Fairfield Way, Bloomingdale) on Wednesday, November 12 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome. (Contact Ylda Pineyro at 312-386-8670 or ypineyro@cmap.illinois.gov) 
• Lake Forest College (555 N. Sheridan Rd., Lake Forest) on Saturday, November 15 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (Contact Ylda Pineyro at 312-386-8670 or ypineyro@cmap.illinois.gov)

Humanities festival reminder. Don't forget about tomorrow morning's CMAP session at the Chicago Humanities Festival.  Read about it in the GO TO 2040 blog.  We'll have a great panel about regional comprehensive planning, moderated by CMAP Board member and Schaumburg mayor Al Larson.  Local blogger SansCar wrote about our session, too.

CTA Open Houses for Red Line Extension Alternatives Analysis Study. The Chicago Transit Authority invites the public for presentations on possible Screen 2 alternatives for CTA's proposed Red Line Extension, which will consider transit technologies and alignments in a study area bordered by 95th Street on the north, Ashland Avenue on the west, Stony Island Avenue on the east, and the Cal-Sag Channel/Little Calumet River and 134th Street on the south. The proposed Red Line Extension would relieve bus and passenger congestion at CTA's existing 95th Red Line station and better manage future traffic growth. Open Houses are scheduled as follows, and both facilities are accessible to people with disabilities:

Wednesday, December 3, 2008
6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
(Presentation will begin at 6:15 p.m.)
Historic Pullman Visitor Center
11141 South Cottage Grove
Chicago, IL

Thursday, December 4, 2008
6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
(Presentation will begin at 6:15 p.m.)
Woodson Regional Chicago Public Library
9525 South Halsted Street
Chicago, IL

Unity Temple event. On Thursday, November 13, 2008, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., the Unity Temple in Oak Park will host a pre-publication event for a new book called The Noble Room, which is about Frank Lloyd Wright's efforts to create the temple.  Attendees can buy the first copies of book, which will be signed and discussed at the event by the author, David M. Sokol. The temple is at 875 Lake Street, Oak Park.  Street and garage parking is available.  Call 708-383-8873 for more information.

APA event. The American Planning Association's Chicago Metro Sectionwill host "Daniel Burnham, Big Thinkers, and the Future of the Metropolis” on Thursday, November 20, 2008, at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington Street, Chicago, IL 60602.  CMAP's Ty Warner will moderate this afternoon session "on the eve of the centennial" for a provocative look at what this monumental planning legacy has meant for the planning profession and the region . . . and what Burnham and Bennett might have done differently had they undertaken this effort today.  Among the panelists are Emily Harris of the Burnham Centennial and John Shuler of the Richard J. Daley Library at UIC. Registration starts at 1:00 p.m., with the 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. program followed by a one-hour reception.  Cost of $15.00 is payable at the door. RSVP to apachicagometrosection@yahoo.com by Monday, November 17.  For more, contact Ty Warner (312-386-8606 or twarner@cmap.illinois.gov).  Click here for the event flyer (opens 143KB PDF).

Gaper's blog. Speaking of Emily and the centennial, there's an interview with her in a local blog called Gaper's Block.