Table of Contents

• First Off . . .
• Events
• Other News and Announcements
• CMAP Blogs
• Reminders

First Off...

CMAP meetings.  At 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, September 8, 2010, the CMAP Board will meet.  At 8:00 that morning, the Planning Coordinating Committee will also meet.  The MPO Policy Committee will meet at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 9.  Meeting materials are available for the Board, MPO Policy Committee, and Planning Committee.

Revised GO TO 2040 Plan. The draft GO TO 2040 plan was revised on the basis of over 1,000 written comments and more than 200 meetings held throughout the summer. A Summary and Responses to Public Comments was prepared along with the revised plan. The final draft will be discussed at the Board and Policy Committee meetings next week.

GO TO 2040 launch event.  If you haven't yet, don't forget to RSVP for the launch of the GO TO 2040 comprehensive regional plan's implementation phase at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, October 13, 2010.   At this very special event, CMAP and its partners will gather at the Harris Theater's Rooftop Terrace at Millennium Park to launch the plan's all-important implementation phase.  Earlier that day, the CMAP Board and MPO Policy Committee will vote on adoption of the plan. This event will be to thank and inspire all who have participated in GO TO 2040 to date and who will now help CMAP to lead its implementation.  Your region is counting on you -- I look forward to seeing you on October 13.

Events

Brownfields grant webinar.  On September 7 and 9, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Region 5 Midwest office will host webinars on FY2011 Brownfields grant proposals from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.  There grants are funded under the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act.  For more information click here, or contact Jean Balent (703-603-9924) or Peter Riddle (513-321-3035 or peter.riddle@emsus.com).

Clean Tech conference.  Midwest Clean Tech 2010, in conjunction with the 2010 International Manufacturing Technology Show, will be held at Chicago's McCormick Place from September 14 to 15.  The program will showcase examples of Clean Technology innovation, products, and services from the Midwest.  Register online.

Conservation conversation.  The Fox River Ecosystem Partnership (FREP) and Fox Waterway Agency will host FREP’s annual “Conversations about Conservation” legislators forum on September 15, at 1:00 p.m. at Lake Front Park Center in Fox Lake.  The program will include Senator Michael Bond, Sierra Club of Illinois Executive Direction Jack Darrin, and other legislators.  The program is open to all, and will include time for questions and answers.  RSVP to foxriverinfo@comcast.net.

APA-IL conference.  From September 22 to 24, 2010, the Illinois Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA) will host its fall conference in Normal, IL. Over 30 sessions will be featured on planning topics, ranging from farmland and historical preservation to economic development.  Doug Farr, AIA of Farr Associates, is the Keynote Speaker at this year's conference.  Register online.

Moving Forward Together.  Mercy Housing will host its annual event, Moving Forward Together, on October 5 at Swissotel in Chicago.  To address the regional foreclosure and housing crisis, Mercy Housing is working to leverage $1 billion over seven years to facilitate the acquisition, rehab, and reoccupation of 2,500 foreclosed homes; develop or preserve 5,000 affordable apartments, board-up and protect 4,500 vacant homes; and create 8,000 jobs.  Purchase tickets for the event online.

Other News and Announcements

GO TO 2040 in the news.  Crain's Chicago Business wrote an article about two Metra projects that are included in GO TO 2040's major capital projects fiscally constrained projects list:  improvements to the Union Pacific Northwest and West Lines.  I was quoted in the story discussing the importance of maintaining our current transportation system before expanding it through new projects.  More information can be found in the plan section Invest Strategically in Transportation. 

Local food in the news.  The Tribune had a cover story yesterday about the politics of promoting local food.  While there are pros and cons to any such effort, it's hard to fault residents who are working to bring healthy food choices to neighborhoods categorized as "food deserts."  The draft GO TO 2040 plan covers the topic in its recommendation to Promote Sustainable Local Food.

Design-build workshop.  GO TO 2040 recommends pursuing the use of public-private partnerships for infrastructure projects when appropriate and specifically recommends exploring the benefits and uses of design-build delivery methods. On Tuesday, September 21, 2010, the Design Build Institute of America (DBIA) Chicago chapter will host a workshop for public-sector procurement officials, private owners, DBIA members, and other design-build professionals. The event will showcase two nationally recognized leaders in design-build and sustainability. At this event you will hear real world experience from an owner implementing one of the largest municipal, sustainable, design-build programs in the country, understand the advantages and disadvantages, learn best practices for implementing design-build on small and large-scale public projects, and network with colleagues interested in design-build and related integrated project delivery methods.  For workshop details and registration, click here.

Local Mortgage Help.  NBC Chicago reports that Fannie Mae has opened a Chicago office of its nationwide Mortgage Help Centers to assist homeowners who are struggling to make their mortgage payments.  The center is operated in partnership with the Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago.  Meetings are available by appointment only at the center, which is located at One South Wacker Drive, Suite 15C14, Chicago, IL, 60606.  Interested homeowners should call (866) 442-8572 to request a Borrower Package to get started.  If Fannie Mae does not own your loan, you can call the Homeowners HOPE™ Hotline at 888-995-HOPE(4673).


CMAP Blogs

Green Signals.  This week, CMAP’s transportation blog informed readers about a webinar for Summit on the National Unified Goal for Traffic Incident Management (TIM).  Traffic incident responders from all levels should be encouraged to attend.  Topics covered include funding options, performance measures, incident management best practices, sustaining TIM teams, service patrols, TIM training, and others.

Soles and Spokes.  This week, CMAP’s bike-ped planning blog highlighted a number of local initiatives in our region designed to increase bicycling and walking.  First, we announced the success of the Village of Arlington Heights’ “Car-Free Day,” which was part of the Taste of Arlington Heights festival and other events held in downtown Arlington Heights.  Next, we described the Village of Oak Park’s innovative program to get Village employees onto bikes when out and about on the job.  Finally, we reported on the City of Evanston’s Walk Week program to get school children of all ages to develop the habit of walking and biking to school.  We also looked at the national scene to alert readers to the upcoming launch by America Walks of a national walking strategy.


Reminders

Burnham on PBS.  On September 6, the one-hour documentary Make No Little Plans: Daniel Burnham and the American City will debut on PBS at 9:00 p.m. CST.  Congratulations to the Archimedia Workshop on this nationwide exposure.

Model Water Conservation Ordinance and WaterSense webinar.  On September 9, the Illinois chapter of the American Water Works Association (AWWA) will host a webinar on CMAP's Model Water Conservation Ordinance and WaterSense products.  Speakers include Cary McElhinney of U.S. EPA Region 5, as well as CMAP's own Amy Talbot and Hala Ahmed.  The hour-long webinar begins at noon and costs $15 for AWWA members and $25 for non-AWWA members.

Highway program comments.  The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Division of Highways is seeking comments from regional planning organizations on the proposed 2012-17 multi-year highway program.  Comments will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. on November 1.  Also, at the following meetings, people may comment on specific projects that might be included in the program, the overall performance of the highway system, regional transportation priorities, and the effectiveness of the public outreach program:

• Monday, September 13, 3:00 p.m., Holiday Inn & Conference Center, 800 S. Route 31, Crystal Lake
• Thursday, September 16, 3:00 p.m., College of Lake County, 10351 W. Washington St., Building C, Grayslake
• Tuesday, September 21, 3:00 p.m., IDOT District I Emergency Traffic Control Center, 3501 S. Normal, Chicago
• Wednesday, September 22, 3:00 p.m., South Holland Community Center, 501 E. 170th St., South Holland
• Tuesday, October 5, 4:00 p.m., Lincoln Way High School, 1801 E. Lincoln Hwy., New Lenox
• Wednesday, October 6, 3:00 p.m., Holiday Inn, 4070 E. Main St., St. Charles

Executive education courses.  The Northwestern University Transportation Center offers a series of three-day executive education courses for transportation and logistics professionals.  From September 14 to 16, "Coping with Carbon: Sustainable Strategies for the Transportation and Logistics Enterprise" will be held.  From October 12 to 14, "Freight Transportation: Strategies for a Changing Landscape" will be held.  From October 18 to 20, "Pricing Transportation Infrastructure" will be held.

Designing park playgrounds for nature-oriented play.  Learn why outdoor unstructured play is critical to children's healthy development at a workshop at Morton Arboretum in Lisle on September 17.  Topics include the key issues in planning and designing nature play-oriented playgrounds and evaluating the benefits and costs of creating small- and large-scale nature play areas.  The workshop will include a tour of a model outdoor space promoting nature discovery and play.  This Chicago Wilderness workshop is meant for park district and local government officials, as well as others who influence the kinds of experiences offered at playgrounds.  The workshop will be held from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.  Call 630-719-2468 to register.  Advance registration costs $10; walk-in registration costs $12.  For questions and comments about the workshop, please contact Angelique Dunning at 630-719-2462.

Asset management workshop.  On September 17, the Alliance for Water Efficiency (AWE) will host "Demystifying Asset Management: Everything You Need to Get Started."  This one-day workshop in downtown Chicago will review international best asset management practices and provide a practical guide to developing approaches that will optimize the intervention time to deliver best value to consumers while minimizing water losses. The workshop will provide a one-time opportunity to learn from one of the world's leading experts on this topic, Jo Parker.  The cost is $35 per attendee and will include morning coffee, lunch and workshop materials.  Download the agenda online.  To register, contact Jeffrey Hughes at jeffrey@a4we.org.