First Off...

MetroPulse award.  CMAP and The Chicago Community Trust have been honored with a 2011 Leadership Award from Ventana Research, a benchmark research and advisory services firm based in California.  The award recognizes "success in business and technology."  Ours is in the category of Analytics and is shared with Information Builders, the vendor with which we collaborated in developing MetroPulse.

Energy Impact Illinois debuts web series and pledge.  This week, Energy Impact Illinois (EI2) launched its web series starring Big Bill and Little Bill to educate (and entertain) homeowners on ways to make their homes more energy efficient and reap the cost-savings benefits.  Check out the first episode on the Energy Bills Facebook page, where you can also sign a pledge to become more energy efficient and potentially win a free home energy audit.

Other News and Announcements

LTA in the news.  The Daily Herald wrote about upcoming planning efforts on the Village of Lakemoor comprehensive plan through CMAP's Local Techincal Assistance (LTA) program.  The article quotes CMAP’s Jason Navota.  In other news, Park Forest residents participated in a public visioning workshop for the Village’s sustainability plan this week.  The Liberty Prairie Conservancy is also beginning work with CMAP’s LTA program on the Lake County Sustainable Food Systems project to explore countywide policy changes that can support agricultural practices, as well as to bolster the current sustainable agriculture operations in the Liberty Prairies Reserve, making it a model sustainable food system in the county.

Bus on Shoulder program video.  We have posted a short video on the recently launched Pace Bus on Shoulder program.  The two-year pilot program launched on November 14, 2011, and allows select buses to drive on the shoulder of the Stevenson Expressway when roads are congested.  The project received funding for signage from the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement program.

Streets for Cycling Plan 2020.  On December 10, the City of Chicago will host an open house for the Streets for Cycling Plan 2020 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  The plan will identify a network of bicycling facilities that will make bike trips safe and comfortable for Chicagoans.  The open house flyer is also available in Spanish.   For additional meeting information, visit www.facebook.com/StreetsForCycling2020.

Blackberry Creek Watershed planning meeting.  The Elburn Herald wrote about a recently held Blackberry Creek Watershed planning meeting.  The next planning meeting will be held on December 20 at Waubonsee Community College at 2:00 p.m.

New electric I-GO cars.  I-GO car-sharing service has launched a $2.5 million solar-powered electric vehicle project.  It will add 36 all-electric vehicles to the I-GO fleet and will install 18 solar charging stations throughout the Chicago metropolitan region beginning in early 2012. 

Health alliance event. The Alliance for Healthy & Active Communities (AHAC) will hold its quarterly meeting from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 15, at the Cicero Community Center, 2250 S. 49th Ave. Cicero, IL Cicero. Register in advance. AHAC is a group of community health advocates led by the Cook County Department of Public Health in preventing and reducing the burden of chronic disease in suburban Cook. For more information, see the Cook County Department of Public Health's website or contact healthycook@ccdph.net

CMAP Blogs

Policy Updates.  The U.S. House of Representatives announced a five-year surface transportation reauthorization bill, the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act, in November.  The House does not plan to act on the bill until January 2012.  We also wrote about a Metropolis Strategies report, which proposes solutions for troublesome regional economic trends. 

Soles and Spokes.  CMAP’s bike-ped planning blog highlighted a new report from the University of Washington on the methods that five state DOTs use in programming Safe Routes to School funds.  We also announced the publication of Los Angeles County’s roadway design manual, Model Design Manual for Living Streets, which seeks to advance and institutionalize Complete Streets concepts.

Reminders

TIP comment period ENDS TODAY.  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).

RFP: Community-Based Sustainable Development.  The Chicago Community Trust is seeking proposals through January 5, 2012, for Community-Based Sustainable Development.  Up to ten communities will be selected to serve as regional models of sustainable development with full engagement of their community residents.  Among other evaluation criteria, proposals should be aligned with the GO TO 2040 comprehensive regional plan and livability principles.  Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations and local governments located within and/or primarily serving residents of Cook County.

Case study library.  CMAP has created a web 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).

Events

Sustainable Water-Centric Communities workshop
December 5 to 6, 2011
Plankinton Building: 161 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee
Hosted by the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee School of Continuing Education
More information

Improving Health Through Planning
December 7, 2011
8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
MPC Offices: 140 S. Dearborn Street, Suite 1400, Chicago
Hosted by the Metropolitan Planning Council, Institute on Social Exclusion at the Adler School of Professional Psychology, and the Center of Excellence in the Elimination of Disparities
More information

Alliance for Healthy & Active Communities (AHAC) quarterly meeting
December 15, 2011
1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
Cicero Community Center, 2250 S. 49th Ave., Cicero
Register in advance