Blogs (Weekly Updates)

Posted on November 10, 2011 2:28 PM
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CMAP Weekly Update, 11-10-11

Among the highlights from CMAP executive director Randy Blankenhorn, a recap of the November CMAP Board meeting, two Policy Updates posts providing analysis of a variety of federal activities, a magazine article covers the regional interjurisdictional colloboration among CMAP and its partners, and the release of the Village of Norridge existing conditions report and a survey to provide feedback.   Subscribe to get Weekly Updates by e-mail.

 

              

Table of Contents

 

 

First Off...

Board recap. The Board met this past week and welcomed its newest member, Heather Weed Niehoff, appointed by Mayor Emanuel to represent the City of Chicago. She replaces Joe Deal. We want to thank Joe for his service on the Board as the vice-chair since March 2009.  He has been instrumental in shaping the agency, the Plan, and its implementation, and provided a key link directly to the Mayor’s office.  We look forward to continuing our working relationship in his capacity in the Mayor’s office.  Other highlights of the meeting included a presentation on our progress made on implementing the $25 million grant from U.S Department of Energy to implement our Energy Impact Illinois program (also highlighted below).  Additionally, the Board discussed and provided strategic direction to the staff regarding water related issues.  The December Board meeting is cancelled, but the Regional Coordinating Committee will meet on December 14, 2011 at 9:30 a.m. 

Prior to the Board meeting, the Local Coordinating Committee met and heard a presentation concerning our project in partnership with the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus and the Metropolitan Planning Council on the Homes for a Changing Region program.  Additionally the committee discussed the schedule for future applications, grants and procurements, and the status of the Local Technical Assistance (LTA) Program Update. The committee also discussed the staff’s strategy regarding renewing federal funding for programs like LTA. 


TheEnergyBills.org.  By now, you've probably spotted the informative (and funny) ads that Energy Impact Illinois is running to raise awareness of extensive resources at TheEnergyBills.org, aimed at helping residents save energy and money by improving the efficiency of their homes.  See their YouTube channel for their videos, and you'll also find Big Bill and Little Bill via newspaper ads, billboards, and radio spots.

Policy Updates.  Earlier this week we posted an update on a variety of federal activities related to transportation, including FY2012 appropriations, the American Jobs Act, and the U.S. Senate's Reauthorization Bill. Subsequently, we posted a lengthy item about the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee's passage of MAP-21 yesterday.

Other News and Announcements

Federal Reserve story and event. Collaborative efforts of CMAP and partners such as the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus (MMC) and Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) are highlighted in the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago's Profitwise News and Views magazine feature on interjurisdictional collaboration in our region. On Monday, November 7, CMAP Board chairman Gerald Bennett spoke at the Fed's fifth Mayors-Developers Forum, focusing on how to rebuild the region's residential housing market.
 
LTA updates. The Village of Norridge is developing a comprehensive plan, and its existing conditions report is now available. Norridge residents are encouraged to provide feedback to the report through a two-question survey. The Village of Park Forest will continue the work of creating a sustainability plan with a public visioning workshop on November 30 at Dining on the Green Banquet Hall (394 Main Street, Park Forest) from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

GIS workshops. CMAP offers a low-cost, introductory, hands-on ArcGIS 10 workshop. The next two-day sessions will be January 25 to 26, March 7 to 8, April 18 to 19, and May 30 to 31. Cost is $350 per person, which includes a manual. Please contact Jan Drennan (312-386-8686 or jdrennan@cmap.illinois.gov) or David Clark (312-386-8682 or dcclark@cmap.illinois.gov).

Pace shoulder buses. On November 14, the Illinois Department of Transportation, Regional Transportation Authority, and Pace will launch their two-year pilot project that will allow select buses to drive on the shoulder of the Stevenson Expressway when roads are congested. The Bus on Shoulder program will apply to routes 755 and 855, which connect the southwest suburbs, downtown Chicago, and the Illinois Medical District. The buses will also have free wi-fi. Read more in the Chicago Tribune.
 
New CTA rail cars. The City of Chicago is adding more than 700 new 5000 series rail cars, an important effort to modernize and improve the energy efficiency of the CTA system. WBEZ has more.
 
Blackberry Creek Watershed planning meeting. On November 15, the next Blackberry Creek Watershed planning meeting will be held at Blackberry Township Hall (43 W 390 Main Street Road, Elburn) from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

CMAP Blogs

Green Signals. CMAP’s transportation operations blog told readers about an upcoming freight performance webinar.

Soles and Spokes. CMAP’s bike-ped planning blog highlighted a Chicago Park District report summarizing recent user counts along the Lakefront Trail. We also announced the temporary closure of a segment of the Illinois Prairie Path Aurora Spur in DuPage County, along with a link to the County’s “Trail Closures and Maintenance Alerts” webpage. Finally, we reported on new FWHA materials featuring state DOT best practices on medians, shoulders, and walkways.

Reminders

TIP comment period. An amendment to the FFY 2010-2015 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and conformity analysis for GO TO 2040 and the TIP is released for public comment through December 2, 2011. Conformity analysis is part of the transportation modeling process that evaluates the impact of projects on air quality. Read more in an explanatory memo. Send written comments to the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, ATTN TIP amendments, Suite 800, 233 S. Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL, 60606. Comments can also be made via e-mail or phone (312-386-8780).

Loop walking tour. WTTW has posted a preview of Geoffrey Baer's upcoming special, “Chicago’s Loop: A New Walking Tour," which will have its premiere on November 29 at 7:30 p.m. In case you missed it, be sure to see his "Biking the Boulevards."

Events

High Speed Rail: Perspectives and Prospects
November 14, 2011
8:15 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
James L. Allen Center: 2169 Orrington Ave., Evanston
Hosted by Northwestern University
More information

Green Codes Landscape in a World of Standards & Rating Systems
November 15, 2011
8:00 a.m. to noon
CMAP: 233 South Wacker Dr., Suite 800, Chicago
Hosted by USGBC - Illinois Chapter, International Code Council, ASHRAE Illinois
More information

Berwyn Planning Meeting
November 19, 2011
10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Berwyn Police Department: 6401 W. 31st Street
Hosted by the City of Berwyn and CMAP
More information

 

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Upcoming Events

(Please see the CMAP Events calendar for Board and committee meetings.)

West Dundee Homes workshop
June 18, 2013
7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Public Safety Center II: 100 Carrington Drive, West Dundee
Hosted by the Village of West Dundee, the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, the Metropolitan Planning Council, and CMAP
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Elgin Homes workshop
June 19, 2013
7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
The Centre Heritage Ballroom: 100 Symphony Way, Elgin
Hosted by the City of Elgin, the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, the Metropolitan Planning Council, and CMAP
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Waukegan visioning workshop
June 20, 2013
6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Private events room of Toluca's Restaurant:  1419 Washington Street, Waukegan
Hosted by the City of Waukegan and CMAP
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Bensenville planning meeting (Spanish language)
June 20, 2013
7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Bensenville Community Public Library: 200 S. Church Road, Bensenville
Hosted by the Village of Bensenville and CMAP
More information

Bronzeville Retail Initiative community forum
June 22, 2013
11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Room 43: 1039 E. 43rd Street, Chicago
Hosted by the Bronzeville Retail Initiative
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Wicker Park-Bucktown public meeting
June 26, 2013
6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Bucktown-Wicker Park Library: 1701 N. Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago
Hosted by the Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce/ Special Service Area #33 and CMAP
More information

Water Regulations and Ordinances workshop
June 27, 2013
8:30 a.m. to noon
DuPage Water Commission headquarters: 600 E. Butterfield Road, Elmhurst
Hosted by the DuPage Water Commission, Metropolitan Planning Council, MWH Global, and CMAP
RSVP

Bensenville planning meeting
June 27, 2013
6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Village Hall: 12 S. Center Street, Bensenville
Hosted by the Village of Bensenville and CMAP
More information

Water 2050 workshop: Energy Efficiency for Wastewater Systems
June 25, 2013
9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
College of Lake County, Grayslake Campus: 19351 W. Washington Street, Room TEC T323, Grayslake
Hosted by CMAP, the Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant, and partners
More information

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