Table of Contents

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

First Off...

Board recap. After a well deserved month off, the Board met this Wednesday. Among other agenda items was an updated state legislative report, and the Board was briefed on the implementation of our new Local Technical Assistance program (also described below) and discussed the process for creating the Regional Tax Policy Task Force. Finally, staff gave an overview of the newly released MetroPulse website, www.metropulsechicago.org,  with a brief tutorial to utilizing its features. The Board’s next meeting is on January 12, 2011.

GO TO 2040 LTA program announcement.  Starting today, CMAP will be accepting applications to provide local technical assistance (LTA) for planning projects that help to implement GO TO 2040.  Eligible projects include comprehensive plans, zoning ordinance revisions, specific studies on important local issues, and many others.  Eligible applicants include municipalities, counties, interjurisdictional groups, and nongovernmental organizations.  Applications can be completed with a very simple, easy-to-use form and are due by January 28, 2011.  For more details and to download an application form, please visit www.cmap.illinois.gov/local-planning/call-for-projects.  Please contact Pete Saunders (312-386-8654 or psaunders@cmap.illinois.gov) with any questions.

Additional HSR funding for Illinois.  On December 9, 2010, the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) announced that Illinois will receive up to $42.3 million in additional funding for high-speed rail (HSR).  A total of $1.195 billion in HSR funds originally designated for Wisconsin and Ohio were redirected after both states' incoming governors indicated they would not use the stimulus funds.    
 

Events

Safe Routes to School.  December 15, 2010, at 5:00 p.m. CST is the deadline for applications to the Illinois Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program.  Applicants must previously have had their School Travel Plans approved by Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) SRTS staff.  Announcement of awarded projects is anticipated in mid-to-late 2011.  See www.dot.state.il.us/saferoutes/SafeRoutesHome.aspx for details.

TFIC luncheon.  On December 16, the Transportation for Illinois Coalition (TFIC) will host a luncheon, Planning for Investment.  I will be speaking about GO TO 2040 at the event, which will also feature presentations from Chicago Metropolis 2020 and the Illinois Farm Bureau.  The meeting will occur from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Wojcik Conference Center of Harper College, 1200 W. Algonquin Rd., in Palatine.
 

Other News and Announcements

New HUD administrator.  I'd like to welcome Antonio Riley, who was sworn in as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regional administrator for the Midwest (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin) on December 6, to our region.  According to this news release, he will serve as "HUD's liaison to mayors, city managers, elected representatives, state and local officials, congressional delegations, stakeholders, and customers."

More on LTA.  Sun-Times columnist Esther Cepeda wrote this week about our new Local Technical Assistance program funded by HUD to facilitate implementation of principles detailed in the GO TO 2040 plan.

IML Review. The Illinois Municipal League magazine's cover story this month is about GO TO 2040.

Water 2050 newsletter.  The latest Water 2050 newsletter is now available at www.cmap.illinois.gov/water-2050-newsletter.  This bi-monthly newsletter describes progress by CMAP and its partners in implementing recommendations of the Water 2050 plan, as well as related events, resources, and water news.

Illinois Latino Agenda.  On Wednesday, December 8, CMAP welcomed the Latino Policy Forum and MALDEF to our offices in a joint meeting with Latino leaders from over 25 organizations across the state as they met to formulate the Illinois Latino Agenda. Considering the growth of the Latino population that we expect to see over the next 30 years, GO TO 2040 shares many policy and planning goals with the Illinois Latino Agenda related to improving education, career opportunities, and fostering livable communities.

Home sharing.  Indicating the lengths to which people will go to avoid foreclosure, the Tribune had a story about something old that is new again: homeowners' taking in boarders, otherwise known as home sharing.  Groups like The Center of Concern in the northwest suburbs and the PLOWS Council on Aging in the southwest suburbs are taking creative approaches like this to helping residents find or keep housing.

Spotlight on Green Communities.  Is your community interested in being highlighted as a case study for conducting or implementing a sustainable green practice?  CMAP is building a case study library and welcomes your participation. See examples of previous Spotlights here.  Please contact Lori Heringa with interest (312-386-8621 or lheringa@cmap.illinois.gov).
 

CMAP Blogs

Green Signals.  This week, CMAP’s transportation operations blog informed readers about the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) Every Day Counts (EDC) initiative.  The objective of EDC is to deploy innovative technologies to expedite project delivery, make the roadways safer, and protect the environment.  The blog also highlighted an Informational Guide on Roundabouts that reviews the planning, design, construction, maintenance, and operations of roundabouts.

Soles and Spokes.  CMAP’s bike-ped planning blog described the national Pedestrian Safety Strategic Plan, a FHWA publication.  The plan outlines the knowledge, resources, and information available now -- as well as the research still needed -- to identify problems and implement solutions related to pedestrian safety over the next 15 years.  Locally, we blogged about the reopening of the Prairie Path bridge in downtown Wheaton, and the decision by the Village of Lemont Board of Trustees to opt out of bikeway facilities as part of an IDOT intersection reconstruction.
 

Reminders

Illinois Urban Forest grants and workshops.  Grant funds are now available to help communities minimize the loss of tree canopy, replant trees, slow the spread of the emerald ash borer (EAB), and generally encourage sustainable urban forest management.  Visit the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus or Morton Arboretum websites for the full RFP.  The final grant workshop will be offered on December 15.  Contact Eve Pytel for more information at epytel@mayorscaucus.org.

~*~

Subscribe to receive Weekly Updates via email.