Table of Contents

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

First Off...

Staff progress report.  Our third-quarter progress report (January through March) based on CMAP's FY11 work plan is now available online.

Policy Updates.  This week we posted an update on the proposed Central Lake County Corridor project, which is the latest piece in a series on how the GO TO 2040 capital projects are developing (the first piece examined the Elgin O'Hare Expressway and West O'Hare Bypass Improvements).  We also posted an update on the local impacts of the federal FY11 budget deal.

Other News and Announcements

GO TO 2040 roundtable.  Thanks to everyone who came out to this week's GO TO 2040 roundtable hosted by the Metropolitan Planning Council, "We Have a Plan. Let's Do It!"  The panel was moderated by CMAP Board member President Mike Gorman of the Village of Riverside.  Read more about the event in the Northwest Indiana Times.

Case study library.  CMAP is building a searchable, online database of completed local projects that reflect recommendations of the GO TO 2040 plan.  If you know of an exemplary project that should be included, please contact Lindsay Banks (lbanks@cmap.illinois.gov or 312-386-8826).

County Green.  The College of Lake County in Grayslake presents County Green, a one-day event on May 24 to promote a sustainable future in Lake County.  I am pleased to participate as keynote speaker and panelist.  Designed to spur action, County Green provides an introduction to the GO TO 2040 plan, along with a host of sessions designed to encourage the development of a green economy in Lake County.  Targeted to local business owners and educators, as well as non-profit, municipal, and county leaders, the event lasts from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Registration is $50.  For more information, contact Sophie Gatins (sgatins@a5inc.com or 312-706-2533).

The price at the pump.  The Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT) launched a new Abogo site with an interactive gas price slider and map.  The online tool helps show just how much rising gas prices (as well as an area’s car dependence) can affect a household’s income.  You can drill down to an address and neighborhood anywhere in the region (or country) to see how gas prices where you live affect the cost of transportation.  The website also offers tips on lowering your transportation costs.
 

CMAP Blogs

Soles and Spokes.  CMAP’s bike-ped planning blog blogged about the upcoming National Bike Month in May.  We alerted readers to a source of funding for local and state bicycle and pedestrian advocacy efforts -- the Advocacy Advance grant program, a partnership between the Alliance for Biking and Walking and the League of American Bicyclists, with support from SRAM Corporation.  And finally, we announced news that the Illinois Department of Transportation will now track bicycle “dooring” crashes.
 

Reminders

Community Planning Program.  On April 6, 2011, CMAP, in collaboration with the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), launched the 2012 Community Planning Program.  This competitive grant program will provide funding for northeastern Illinois municipalities to participate in projects linking land use and transportation.  The partnership between the two agencies will provide additional funding to an expanded base of eligible applicants and projects, as well as facilitate inter-agency coordination.  The deadline for receipt of applications is 3:00 p.m. CST on June 9, 2011.

Water resource forums.  CMAP will host two forums to promote and educate on issues from Water 2050.  On May 6, from 9:00 a.m. to noon, we will co-host (with the Delta Institute) "Groundwater Protection: Science, Planning, and Action."  RSVP to yambriz@cmap.illinois.gov.  A second forum on June 9 will focus on valuation of water resources.  More information will be available in coming weeks on our new Water 2050 forums web page, along with materials from previous forums.

Quality of Kane.  Kane County will host a series of open houses to gather public input on its long-range planning efforts.  The final Quality of Kane open houses will be held from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, May 2, at Hampshire High School;  Tuesday, May 3, at the Sugar Grove Public Library;  and Thursday, May 5, at the Gail Borden Public Library in Elgin.

Apply for FLIP.  The 2011-2012 FLIP (Future Leaders in Planning) application is now available.  Please share materials with local high school students who would be interested in learning more about planning and contribute to make a better future for our region.  Keep up with FLIP by becoming a fan of its Facebook page.
 

Events

Planning Commissioner Training -- Southwest Cook
April 30 and May 14, 2011
8:00 to 11:45 a.m.
Palos Hills Community Center: 8545 W. 103rd Street, Palos Hills
Hosted by CMAP, Southwest Council of Mayors
Registration

Campton Hills Planning Kick Off
May 2, 2011
7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Wasco Elementary School:  4N782 School Street, Wasco
Hosted by CMAP, Village of Campton Hills
More information

Infrastructure for Our Future
May 3, 2011
5:45 to 8:00 p.m.
Chicago Bar Foundation, 312 S. Plymouth Court, Chicago
Hosted by the Center for Neighborhood Technology
RSVP

FLIP Final Presentation
May 7, 2011
2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Fairmont Community Center, 525 Barry Ave, Lockport
RSVP

Planning Commissioner Training -- DuPage County
May 7 and 21, 2011
8:00 to 11:45 a.m.
Carol Stream Village Hall, 500 N. Gary Avenue, Carol Stream
Hosted by CMAP, DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference
Registration

Tri-State Alliance Summit
May 9, 2011
Radisson Hotel, 200 S. Bell School Road, Rockford
Registration

E-Government Workshop: Achieving IT Efficiencies Through Collaboration
May 12, 2011
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Hilton Lisle/Naperville, 3003 Corporate West Drive, Lisle
Hosted by University of Illinois at Chicago - College of Urban Planning & Public Affairs
Discounted registration for CMAP Partners

Chicagoland Green Collar Jobs Summit
May 17, 2011
1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Chicago-Kent College of Law:  565 W. Adams, Chicago
Registration

Bike the Drive
May 29, 2011
Lake Shore Drive
Hosted by MB Financial Bank
Save $5 on registration with coupon code CMAP5

Transport Chicago
June 3, 2011 a
211 East Chicago Ave, Chicago
Early registration through May 23