First Off...

DUE TUESDAY: Public Comment on GO TO 2040 Conformity Analysis and TIP. Public comments on conformity determination for GO TO 2040 and the FFY 2010-2015 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) are due Tuesday, September 4. 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).

Circle Interchange. The Chicago Tribune covered a public meeting held yesterday by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) about its Circle Interchange Study. As mentioned in last week's update, the Circle Interchange will need to be evaluated by CMAP for inclusion in GO TO 2040 prior to completion of Phase I Engineering.

Other News and Announcements

LTA updates. CMAP recently kicked off work with the Village of Antioch to develop a Lifestyle Corridor plan to coordinate greenways with nearby land use and environmental features through our Local Technical Assistance (LTA) program. Read more in an article from the Lake County News-Sun, which quotes CMAP's Jason Navota. Last week, the Village of Campton Hills voted to adopt its comprehensive plan, which was developed through the LTA program.

IL APA awards. Congratulations to winners of American Planning Association - Illinois Chapter awards, including our partners who led the Downers Grove 2030 Comprehensive Plan, McHenry County Green Infrastructure Plan, the Active Transportation Alliance Complete Streets manual, and the Stearns Road bridge project led by Kane County DOT.

Water efficiency webinar. At 1:00 p.m. on September 12, the Alliance for Water Efficiency (AWE) will host a webinar, “The Water Efficiency and Conservation State Scorecard: An Assessment of Laws and Policies.”

Emerald Ash Borer event. On September 13, a free municipal Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) symposium and field day will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Hazel Crest. RSVP to Karin Strub (952-252-0534 or kstrub@treecarescience.com) by September 5.

Transportation event. At 8:30 a.m. on September 28, Congressman Robert Dold and IDOT Secretary Ann Schneider will discuss recent federal and state transportation actions, with a particular emphasis on our region, at Baxter Healthcare (1 Baxter Parkway, Deerfield). RSVP by September 26.

GreenTown. An event to help create sustainable communities, GreenTown, will be held October 18-19 in Highland Park.

Reminders

EI2 rebates. Energy Impact Illinois (EI2) is offering rebates up to $1,750 (an estimated 70-percent cost savings) for upgrades you can make to improve the comfort of your home. To spread the word, EI2 now has 20 field staff conducting outreach throughout the region. Keep an eye out for them, organizing house parties or community events. For more information, contact Emily Plagman at eplagman@cmap.illinois.gov. To see if you qualify for the rebate, please call 1-855-9-IMPACT.

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.

Events

Riverside planning meeting
September 5, 2012
7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Riverside Township Auditorium: 27 Riverside Road, Riverside
Hosted by the Village of Riverside and CMAP
More information

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
More information

Real-Time Chicago Seminar Series
September 13, 2012
3:00 to 4:30 p.m.
Great Cities Institute: 412 S. Peoria Street, 4th Floor
Hosted by the University of Illinois at Chicago's Great Cities Institute
More information

Mercy Housing Annual Event: Moving Forward Together
October 2, 2012
3:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Swissotel: 323 E. Wacker Drive, Chicago
More information