CMAP meeting recap.  The focus of this month's CMAP Board meeting was on our funding situation and revisions to our FY 2010 budget. Last Thursday, July 2, IDOT committed to provide $700,000 in the first quarter to match the federal funds. If a resolution is not reached by September for our state funds, IDOT is committed to work with CMAP to provide the remaining matching funds for this fiscal year. Based on this commitment from IDOT for the federal matching funds, the budget was revised to reflect $2,800,000 in state funds for the federal match, and the Board approved this budget as we move forward in this fiscal year.

Additionally, the Programming Coordinating Committee was briefed on the Neighborhood Stabilization Program 2. CMAP is taking the lead on a regional application with a consortium of local government partners for this nationally competitive grant that is part of ARRA. The Board voted to endorse the regional application that is out for public comment until July 11, 2009. The Board also directed the staff to draft a letter on their behalf directed to financial institutions that focuses on working in cooperation to find solutions to work on preventative foreclosure measures. Finally, the Board was briefed on the GO TO 2040 public engagement process and results thus far.

NSP story.  Mayor Ed Schock has some kind words for the CMAP-led NSP2 proposal in a Daily Herald story about Elgin's federally sponsored efforts to deal with home foreclosures. That city is part of our consortium, along with Aurora, Berwyn, Cicero, and Joliet; Cook, DuPage, Kendall, Lake, and Will counties; the Illinois Housing Development Authority; and Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago.

Capital bill.  According to news reports, Governor Quinn says he plans to sign the pending capital bill on Monday. Especially in an uncertain economy, this is vitally important to protect the competitiveness of our region and state.

Water planning in the news. CMAP's Regional Water Supply Planning Group was featured on WTTW's Chicago Tonight as part of the Chicago Matters: Beyond Burnham news series. To watch, click here.

Stimulus in the news.  Yesterday I had the privilege of addressing Chicago-area members of CoreNet, a professional organization representing the commercial real estate industry. (If you use Twitter, one or two of the attendees were tweeting about it.) The subject of my talk was our region's response to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). As I explained to them, while our region's stakeholders have done a fine job of partnering to bring maximum benefit from the stimulus dollars, the jury is obviously still out regarding whether, on a national basis, the bill will have the desired job-creating effects. For example, see yesterday's New York Times article about how cities nationwide may not be getting their share of transportation stimulus dollars. The Times also had an editorial that reflects the current debate over whether the stimulus is succeeding as planned.

Burnham blog interview.  This week, the Burnham Plan Centennial blog features a three-part interview with me on the subject of regional planning. Click here for segments 1, 2, and 3, by blogger and former Chicago Tribune reporter Pat Reardon.

Invent the Future workshops.  It's a busy week ahead with GO TO 2040 "Invent the Future" workshops in Sugar Grove (July 15); Avalon Park, Chicago (July 15); Lisle (July 16); and Riverside (July 16). Click here for the latest schedule. Registration is requested, but not required. You can register online, via email, or by calling Joey-Lin Silberhorn at 312-386-8814.

Millennium Park activities.  The City of Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs has designated several dates this summer as CMAP evenings in Millennium Park. Agency staff will be present at the GO TO 2040 kiosk to engage visitors, hand out promotional items, and answer questions about the comprehensive regional plan. We'll be there from 3:00 to 9:00 p.m. today, Friday, July 10; Friday, July 31; Friday, August 14; and Wednesday, September 2. The first three dates feature Grant Park Music Festival performances of Pirates of Penzance and the Mikado (July 10),The Dream of Gerontius (July 31), and Beethoven's 9th (August 14). September 2 will have a showing of the new Archimedia Workshop documentary film Make No Little Plans -- Daniel Burnham and the American City.

Ida: In Her Own Words.  The timeless writings of Ida B. Wells from 1893 are the subject of an event on July 16, 2009 at the Chicago Public Library, Roosevelt Branch, 1101 W. Taylor St., Chicago, IL 60607 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Michelle Duster, great-granddaughter of Ida B. Wells, will be reading excerpts from her new book on her grandmother Ida B. Wells. RSVP by July 10 to rsvp@publichousingmuseum.org.

GO TO 2040 blog.  Daniel Burnham V has some thoughts inspired by the Chicago 2016 bid.

The Ledge.  As you've no doubt heard, this week the owners of Sears Tower opened their latest tourist attraction, which several CMAP staffers had the opportunity to try out this week. The crowds are lined up around the corner of Wacker and Jackson. If you're like me, reading about it will suffice.