Posted on September 16, 2011 2:23 PM
CMAP Weekly Update, 9-16-11
Among the highlights from CMAP executive director Randy Blankenhorn, the U.S. Congress passed the combined Federal Aviation Administration and surface transportation authorization bill this week, a new monthly Illinois Innovation Index e-newsletter launched, and a Policy Update post described how “collaboratories” help with the understanding and protection of the metropolitan Chicago environment. Subscribe to get Weekly Updates by email.
Table of Contents
First Off...
Transportation legislation. Congress passed a combined Federal Aviation Administration and surface transportation authorization bill this week. The Surface and Air Transportation Programs Extension Act of 2011 temporarily reauthorizes current programs, taxes, and funding levels with no policy changes. The FAA extension is four months, and surface transportation is six months. Read more in CMAP's
Policy Updates blog. On Wednesday CMAP Board chairman Gerald Bennett, Mayor of Palos Hills, joined with fellow mayors (including Mayor Rahm Emanuel of Chicago and Mayor Jeff Schielke of Batavia) to call on Congress to pass a long-term surface transportation bill.
Route 53/120 Council kicks off. The
Illinois Route 53/120 Blue Ribbon Advisory Council kicked off its first public meeting this week. I am a member of the council, and CMAP will continue to be involved in the planning process. Read more about the meeting in the
Daily Herald. The next public meeting with be October 17.
Other News and Annoucements
CMAP in the news. The Kane County Chronicle wrote about the graying of the population and how it will impact public transit, the way we plan communities, and the economy. The article quotes CMAP's Matt Maloney. In case you missed it, CMAP board chairman Mayor Gerald Bennett's appearance on Comcast's Newsmakers is available online. You can also watch CMAP's Ricardo Lopez interview discussing CMAP, GO TO 2040, and the Local Technical Assistance program on the Spanish-language edition of CAN-TV's Perspectivas Latinas.
CMAQ in action. CMAP's Congestion Mitigation Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) program disburses federal funds to support transportation projects that help reduce congestion and improve the region's air quality. Among the funded projects is the Chicago Water Taxi, which received a competitive CMAQ grant in 2000. We've posted a short video interview with the water taxi company's Andrew Sargis, who discusses his hopes for intermodal transit that includes water as a mode of travel. Also this week, the Chicago Journal described CMAQ support of the proposed Navy Pier Flyover for bicycle and pedestrian traffic. The proposed FY 2012 - FY 2016 CMAQ program will be presented to the CMAP board at their October meeting.
Illinois Innovation Index. The first monthly Illinois Innovation Index e-newsletter came out yesterday and examined venture capital. Read more about the e-newsletter and its first issue on Policy Updates blog, as well as the Chicago Tribune and this Illinois Innovation Network press release. Each month, it will feature innovation metrics, along with news and statistical insights. Periodically, these metrics will be aggregated into a comprehensive Illinois Innovation Index report. Upcoming topics include venture capital, Illinois Entrepreneurial Survey results, employment and output by cluster, research and development, and new business starts.
National League of Cities event. CMAP and the Metropolitan Planning Council, in partnership with the National League of Cities, invite you to attend "Building Cities, Building Futures" on Tuesday, September 20, 2011, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Ritz-Carlton Chicago,160 East Pearson Street. Space is very limited for this free event, so RSVP on-line. This is part of a national tour with a local focus on using sustainable infrastructure as a catalyst for economic competitiveness.
Local food chapter outline. CMAP produced a local food chapter outline to guide municipal planners through the process of incorporating local food into a comprehensive plan. This was developed as part of the Cook County Communities Putting Prevention to Work (CPPW) initiative, which seeks to promote healthy eating and active lifestyles by improving public policy and local communities.
Local food and planning. The first article in a Patch.com series on local food and farming in the suburbs highlights how GO TO 2040 incorporates local food into the plan. It quotes me from my talk at the County Green Conference held in May.
CNT celebration. The Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT) is celebrating its 33rd anniversary on September 30 at Green Home Chicago.
Open Streets on State Street. On October 1, State Street in downtown Chicago will be shut down to cars, allowing residents to walk, bike, and play on the street. Presented by the Chicago Loop Alliance and Active Transportation Alliance, there will be a range of activities from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m..
Transportation capacity seminar. On October 11, 2011, Highroad Consulting will host “Future Shock: Preparing for Capacity Issues in the Transportation Industry.” The seminar will include industry insider presentations, moderated panel discussions, and breakout sessions. The seminar will be held from 7:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Hamburger University (McDonald's Campus, Oakbrook).
Food survey. The Cook County Department of Public Health is inviting people who live or work in Cook County to take a survey related to food systems. More information on the survey and a link to the survey instrument are available on the Department of Public Health’s website.
Call for Abstracts. The Midwestern District Conference & Transportation Research Board 4th Urban Street Symposium are both requesting abstract submissions for the 2012 program. Selected abstracts from both organizations will be incorporated into a single program. Submissions are due October 31.
CMAP Blogs
Green Signals. CMAP’s transportation operations blog informed readers of the Dynamic Message Sign webinar and the Proposed MUTCD Rules webinar.
Soles and Spokes. CMAP’s bike-ped planning blog featured a new report, “Effective Delivery of Small-Scale Federal-Aid Projects,” which documents streamlined methods for meeting federal funding requirements for small-scale (<$300K) highway projects. We also featured another report, “Public Perceptions on Transportation Characteristics of Livable Communities,” which presents the findings of a 2009 national survey that asked participants about the importance of different transportation features in their communities. Finally, we announced the release of the City of Chicago’s “2011 Pedestrian Crash Analysis Summary Report,” completed as part of the Chicago Pedestrian Plan.
Policy Updates. In addition to the SAFETEA-LU extension described above, our Policy Updates blog featured a post about "collaboratories" that are helping to increase understanding of the regional effects of climate change and the benefits of conserving land and protecting nature.
Reminders
IDOT FY 2013 to 2018 Highway Program public open house meetings. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is holding a series of open houses throughout the region to receive early input from stakeholders and the public on the development of the Multi-Year Highway Program. All meetings will be held from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m.:
- September 20: South Holland Community Center, 501 E. 170th Street, South Holland
- September 21: Holiday Inn, 800 S. Route 31, Crystal Lake
- September 27: Hilton Garden Inn, 4070 E. Main Street, St. Charles
- September 28: Henry Mansion Estate, 20 South Eastern Avenue, Joliet
- October 3: College of Lake County, 19531 W. Washington Street, Grayslake
Events
Kane/Kendall Council of Mayors Planning Commissioner Workshop
September 17 and October 1, 2011
8:30 a.m. to noon
Kane County Government Center Auditorium (Building A): 719S. Batavia Avenue, Geneva
More information
Understanding the LEED for Neighborhood Development Rating System
September 19, 2011
Merchandise Mart Conference Center: 350 W. Mart Center, 2nd Floor, Chicago
Hosted by the U.S. Green Buildings Council -- Illinois Chapter
Registration
Homes for a Changing Region -- Bellwood
September 19, 2011
6:30 to 9:00 p.m.
Village Hall Community Room: 3200 Washington Boulevard, Bellwood
Hosted by MMC, CMAP, MPC
More information
Building Cities, Building Futures
September 20, 2011
9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Ritz-Carlton Chicago: 160 E. Pearson Street, Chicago
Hosted by National League of Cities, CMAP, MPC
More information
Homes for a Changing Region -- Forest Park
September 20, 2011
6:30 to 9:00 p.m.
Howard Mohr Community Center: 7640 Jackson Boulevard, Forest Park
Hosted by MMC, CMAP, MPC
More information
Invasive Plants: Nature's Troublemakers workshop
September 21, 2011
1:00 to 3:30 p.m.
Hickory Knolls Discovery Center: 3795 Campton Hills Road, St. Charles
Hosted by the Fox River Ecosystem Partnership and St. Charles Park District
More information
Design on the Edge: Chicago Architects Reimagine Neighborhoods
September 23, 2011
Santa Fe Building: 224 S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago
Hosted by Chicago Architecture Foundation
More information
FREP's Annual Conversations about Conservation with our Legislators
September 23, 2011
10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Historic Kendall County Courthouse: 110 W. Madison Street, Yorkville
Hosted by the Fox River Ecosystem Partnership (FREP)
More information
West Central Municipal Conference Planning Commissioner Workshop
September 24 and November 5, 2011
8:30 a.m. to noon
Grant Park Recreation Center (East Room): 44 W. Golfview Drive, Northlake
More information
Second Campton Hills Planning Meeting
September 26, 2011
6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Wasco Elementary School: 4N782 School Street, Campton Hills
Hosted by the Village of Campton Hills and CMAP
More information
Partners in Action Online Conference
September 26 to 28, 2011
Hosted by Illinois Public Health Institute
More information
Beyond the Basics: Evolution of Stormwater Best Management Practices seminar
September 29, 2011
Bobak's Signature Events: 6440 Double Eagle Drive, Woodridge
Hosted by The Conservation Foundation
More information
Design on Edge Discussion with Chicago's Leading Visionary Architects
October 4, 2011
Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies: 610 S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago
Hosted by the Chicago Architecture Foundation
Registration
APA-IL Annual Conference
October 5 to 7, 2011
Evanston, IL
Hosted by the American Planning Association - Illinois Chapter
More information
South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association Planning Commissioner Workshop
October 8 and November 12, 2011
8:30 a.m. to noon
South Suburban Mayors & Managers Association: 1904 W. 174th Street, East Hazel Crest
More information
De-Icing Workshop
October 11, 2011
7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Central Permit Facility: 500 W. Winchester Road, Libertyville
Hosted by Lake County Stormwater Management
Registration due October 3
Natural Lawn Care and Sustainable Landscapes workshop
October 13, 2011
8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
College of Lake County, Grayslake Campus: 19351 W. Washington Street, Grayslake
Hosted by the Lawn to Lake collaborative program
More information
Moving Forward Together
October 19, 2011
3:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Swissotel: 323 E. Wacker Drive, Chicago
Hosted by: Mercy Housing
More information
Blogs (Weekly Updates) 
