GO TO 2040 splash page.  We've redesigned the main GO TO 2040 page, which now has a graphic timeline of where we are in our planning process.  Above the timeline (yes, we know it looks like a football field, by the way), you'll find quick links to items recently added to the Idea Zone section, which is where you can find many more details, including the draft preferred Regional Scenario and our growing list of Strategy Papers and Snapshot Reports.

In the Idea Zone.  The Regional Indicators project shared information on new data for "food insecure" households. Illinois ranks near the bottom, which is a very positive thing.

Humanites Festival audio.  The Chicago Humanities Festival has posted audio from a year ago, when I was part of a panel discussing GO TO 2040 and high-speed rail.  It's interesting to note how far the HSR discussion has progressed since then due to federal stimulus funding.

GO TO 2040 shout-out.  Our comprehensive regional plan got a nice mention in remarks made by John Robinson of the Institute of Resources, Environment and Sustainability at the Trudeau Foundation's recent conference on "Canadian Cities and the Public Sphere:  Rethinking the Urban Commons." 

Recovery blog.   Confused about stimulus job creation numbers? Visit our Recovery blog to read more on tracking job creation, errors, and corrections in recipient reporting. Also, don't miss today's CMAP Economic Recovery Update.

Home sales increase.  There was good news this week regarding the increase in home sales which were one-third higher in October 2009 than October 2008, according to the Illinois Association of Realtors.  Read about it in Crain's Chicago Business.

A light on the South Side.  WBEZ has a nice piece on Exelon's pilot solar power plant in Chicago's West Pullman neighborhood. The project is bringing jobs as well as revitalization to a brownfield area. It also will create the largest urban solar power plant in the country, supplying power to 1,200 homes, right here in Chicagoland.

Last call for the photo contest.  Until 5:00 p.m. on December 1, we're accepting entries to the 2009 Images of Northeastern Illinois Photo Contest. We're asking residents of Cook, DuPage, Will, Kane, McHenry, Lake, and Kendall counties to pull out their cameras and capture what they value about the region. Two winners (a First Prize and runner-up) will be selected in each of the following categories, along with one overall contest winner and runner-up: Diversity, Community Vitality, Natural Environment, Architecture/Urban Design, and Transportation. More details and full contest rules are posted online at http://www.goto2040.org/photocontest. Please contact Lindsay Banks 312-386-8826 with questions or email photo@cmap.illinois.gov.

In the GO TO 2040 blog.  We featured a lovely photo on Monday taken in Zion's Illinois Beach State Park.

Twitter milestone.  We surpassed 500 followers in our Twitter account this week. It's just one way you can stay connected to CMAP and the GO TO 2040 Plan. You can start following us today.