Policy Updates.  The recently passed transportation reauthorization bill, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21), features a new federal emphasis on performance measurement and makes strides toward the regular, public reporting of performance data.  It does not, however, generally link these performance measures and targets to funding decisions, known as performance-based funding, which is a GO TO 2040 priority.  Read more in our Policy Updates blog.
 
Metropolis Strategies proposal.  The Chicago Tribune wrote about a proposal from Metropolis Strategies to merge the Regional Transportation Authority with CMAP.  As CMAP Board Chairman Mayor Gerald Bennett of Palos Hills says in the article, CMAP's Board discussed the proposal at their June meeting and will continue to monitor the situation as more information becomes available.  The article also included a timeline of important dates in regional transportation planning history, such as the formation of CMAP and adoption of GO TO 2040 in October 2010.

LTA updates.  On Monday, the Evanston City Council approved a water conservation and efficiency plan developed through CMAP's Local Technical Assistance (LTA) program.  Read more in Evanston Now, which includes first steps the City will take to implement the plan and quotes CMAP's Amy Talbot.  The next public meeting for development of a downtown plan for the Village of Riverside will be held September 5 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Riverside Township Auditorium (27 Riverside Road).

CMAP in the news.  The Illinois Tollway Board approved funding for a land-use plan to be conducted by CMAP and Lake County for the proposed IL 53 extension, which is one of GO TO 2040's major capital projects.  Read more in a Trib article that quotes CMAP's Matt Maloney.  The Trib also covered the launch of the Retrofit Chicago Residential Partnership program, which CMAP is participating in through Energy Impact Illinois.   The Enterprise wrote about Plainfield's development of a transportation plan, which is funded by a Community Planning Program grant through our LTA program.  The New Lenox Patch wrote about an intersection improvement project under study in the Village to accommodate for anticipated future population growth as forecast by CMAP for the GO TO 2040 plan.  The study was funded in part through our Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) program.

Hackmatack update.  On Wednesday, the U.S. Department of the Interior added the Hackmatack refuge to the nation's system of National Wildlife Refuges, making it the first national wildlife refuge in metropolitan Chicago.  Read more in the Northwest Herald.

Sustainable communities roundtable.  For state and local government representatives, the U.S. Green Building Council - Illinois' Chapter's North/Northwest Suburban Branch and partners will host a roundtable about how to achieve sustainable communities on August 23 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in Evanston.  CMAP's Jason Navota is among the presenters.  

Energy efficiency event.  On September 10, the Delta Institute will launch its new report "Energy Efficiency and Cook County Manufacturers:  An Unrealized Opportunity" with an expert panel from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the University of Chicago Gleacher Center in downtown Chicago.

Highway Infrastructure Pricing.  From September 10-12, the Northwestern University Transportation Center will host its Infrastructure Pricing Executive Program “Highway Infrastructure Pricing.”

H+T Toolkit.  The Center for Neighborhood Technology released How+To: The H+T Toolkit to assist policymakers, planners, researchers, and more in applying the Housing + Transportation (H+T) Affordability Index to their work.  A webinar will be held on September 25.

State action.  Several environmental and agriculture-related bills were signed into law this week.  HB 5539 creates the Illinois Nutrient Research and Education Council to enhance the use of fertilizers and protect water quality from nutrient loss.  HB 5115 helps protect cattle pastures from damage caused by wildlife.  HB 5642 establishes fees on livestock producers to assist the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency in administration of the federally mandated National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System program for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations.

Drought aid.  All seven counties in the CMAP region are now eligible for federal drought relief through the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Future City.  Pre-registration is available for the Future City Competition.  Schools wishing to sign up for the 2013 Chicago Regional Future City Competition should contact Don Wittmer (312-930-9119 or dwittmer@hntb.com).  The essay theme for the 2012-13 challenge is "Rethink Runoff:  Design Clean Solutions to Manage Stormwater Pollution."

 

Soles and Spokes.  CMAP’s bike-ped planning blog featured an article on the implications of demographic and cultural shifts for walking as a mode of travel.  Its authors predict that the transportation priorities of young people are likely to result in a substantial increase of walking for both recreational and practical purposes.

Green Signals.  CMAP’s transportation operations blog highlighted vehicle detection in northeastern Illinois, the most widespread and invisible pieces of intelligent transportation system (ITS) equipment deployed here.

 

Public Comment:  GO TO 2040 Conformity Analysis and TIP.  The CMAP Transportation Committee recently released a conformity determination on GO TO 2040 and the FFY 2010-2015 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) at their last meeting.  Please review the cover memo and list of conformity amendments.  Comments may be submitted to CMAP by mail, e-mail, or phone (312-454-0400) through September 4.

EI2 rebates.  For a limited time, single family homeowners can apply for up to $1,750 in rebates for qualifying energy efficiency measures through Energy Impact Illinois (EI2).  Call 855-9-IMPACT, visit energyimpactillinois.org or contact Emily Plagman at eplagman@cmap.illinois.gov.

FLIP applications.  Applications are available for our Future Leaders in Planning (FLIP) program, through which high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors from throughout the region meet one Saturday per month to learn about the issues that shape our region’s economy and quality of life.  Contact Ricardo Lopez (rlopez@cmap.illinois.gov or 312-386-8766).

e-GA Academy.  This fall, the University of Illinois at Chicago will launch the e-Government Academy (e-GA), an on-line professional development program to increase competencies of public administrators at all levels.

 

FRED Panel:  Olmsted's Design Lessons for Today
August 18, 2012
1:30 p.m.
Riverside Township Hall:  27 Riverside Road, Riverside
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Outdoor Water Use Efficiency Webinar
August 20, 2012
Noon to 1:00 p.m.
Hosted by the Illinois and Wisconsin sections of the American Water Works Association
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Soles and Spokes Bikeways Workshop: Designing for Bicycle Safety
August 24, 2012
8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
CMAP: 233 S. Wacker Drive, Suite 800, Chicago
Hosted by CMAP
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Local Planning for a Sustainable Future
September 6, 2012
9:30 a.m. to noon
CMAP:  233 S. Wacker Drive, Suite 800, Chicago
Hosted by CMAP, Chicago Wilderness Sustainability Team
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