Posted on April 15, 2011 2:22 PM
April 15, 2011
Table of Contents
First Off...
Board meeting. The CMAP Board will have a brief meeting at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 19, at the Spertus Institute. The materials can be found here.
Federal budget. Yesterday the U.S. House of Representatives voted to approve HR 1473 to fund the federal government for the remainder of FY 2011. See the post on our Policy Updates blog for transportation impacts on the state and the region. Next week the House is expected to take up the FY 2012 budget.
Other News and Announcements
Water 2050 newsletter. The latest Water 2050 newsletter includes information on upcoming water resource forums, updates on Facility Planning Areas and local watershed planning, and more. CMAP's Tim Loftus will also be on WBBM-AM 780's "Ask Your Plumber" radio segment tomorrow at approximately 8:36 a.m. to discuss rainwater harvesting and new legislation that, if passed by the Illinois General Assembly, would allow for the capture of and nonpotable use of this abundant source of water. For the record, Tim has a Ph.D. and is not a plumber.
CMAP in the news. The National Resources Defense Council's (NRDC) Smarter Cities project focused on how Chicago and other cities are working affordable and accessible public transit. Read more in the spring issue of Sustainable Chicago, which mentions the GO TO 2040 plan, as well as other local initiatives.
GreenTown. On April 28, the one-day event GreenTown: The Future of Community will take place at The Centre in downtown Elgin. The event is designed to help make communities healthy and more sustainable.
Tri-State Alliance Summit. On May 9 in Rockford, the Tri-State Alliance will host its 4th Annual Summit, featuring keynote speaker Congressman John Mica, Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Register on-line.
CNT infrastructure lectures. The Center for Neighborhood Technology is starting a lecture series called "Infrastructure for our Future." The first will be on Tuesday, May 3, from 5:45 to 8:00 p.m. at the Chicago Bar Foundation, 321 S. Plymouth Court in Chicago. Featuring CNT staff members Scott Bernstein, Anne Evens, and Maria Choca Urban, the event will focus on success stories that help make our region a more economically, environmentally, and socially sustainable place to live and work. RSVP by April 28 to 773-269-4039 or annette@cnt.org.
Regional growth grant. The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced its FY 2011 University Center Economic Development Program competition to "promote bottom-up regional strategies that help foster business expansion and job creation in EDA's Chicago and Philadelphia regions." Approximately $1.1 million will be awarded in the Chicago region, and the deadline to apply is June 30.
New plants database. The Morton Arboretum launched a new Integrated Plants Database, which allows users to see records of trees and plants at the Arboretum, an interactive collections map, images of both pressed and living specimens, hardiness zone data, and more. Additionally, a new exhibit, Nature Unframed: Art at the Arboretum, will debut on May 19.
CMAP Blogs
Policy Updates. Kane County approved a $30 million open space bond referendum last week that will fund the acquisition of 1,500 to 2,000 additional acres of conservation land and make improvements on other lands. Read more on our policy blog, which includes an update about a pending review of how the northeastern Illinois, southeastern Wisconsin, and northwestern Indiana tri-state area's economy compares to areas of the U.S. and other countries.
Soles and Spokes. CMAP’s bike-ped planning blog alerted readers to an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) by the U.S. Access Board to develop accessibility guidelines for shared use paths. The Access Board will accept comments through June 27, 2011. We also wrote about a new study looking at the relative risk of injury when bicycling in a cycle track (a type of buffered bike lane) compared to the street.
Green Signals. CMAP’s transportation operations blog informed readers of an upcoming congestion pricing webinar series. The blog also featured a new guide book on localized congestion mitigation programs.
Reminders
Community Planning Program. On April 6, 2011, CMAP, in collaboration with the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), launched the 2012
Community Planning Program. This competitive grant program will provide funding for northeastern Illinois municipalities to participate in projects linking land use and transportation. The partnership between the two agencies will provide additional funding to an expanded base of eligible applicants and projects, as well as facilitate inter-agency coordination. The deadline for receipt of applications is 3:00 p.m. CST on June 9, 2011. CMAP and RTA staff will host the following open house events:
- April 25, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., RTA Offices (Board Room, 175 West Jackson Blvd, Suite 1650, Chicago)
- April 26, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., Arlington Heights Village Hall (Community Meeting Room, 33 South Arlington Heights Rd, Arlington Heights)
- April 27, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., DuPage County Building (Auditorium, 421 North County Farm Rd, Wheaton)
- April 28, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., South Suburban Mayors & Managers Offices, 1906 West 174th St, East Hazel Crest)
Apply for FLIP. The 2011-2012 FLIP (Future Leaders in Planning) application is now available. Please share materials with local high school students who would be interested in learning more about planning and contribute to make a better future for our region. Keep up with FLIP by becoming a fan of its Facebook page.
Clean Air Challenge. The Chicago Clean Air Design Challenge is still open for entries and will be for the next few weeks. The challenge to improve air quality is aimed at the design community (designers, architects, planners, etc.) and is centered on the Pilsen and Little Village neighborhoods in Chicago. Entries are due April 18.
Events
Spring Conference and Awards Ceremony
April 19, 2011
9:00 a.m. to noon
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago
Hosted by Partners for Clean Air
More information
GO TO 2040 Roundtable: "We Have a Plan. Let's Do It!"
April 27, 2011
Noon to 1:30 p.m.
140 S. Dearborn Street, Suite 1400, Chicago
Hosted by the Metropolitan Planning Council
Registration
Planning Commissioner Training -- Southwest Cook
April 30 and May 14, 2011
8:00 to 11:45 a.m.
Palos Hills Community Center: 8545 W. 103rd Street, Palos Hills
Hosted by CMAP, Southwest Council of Mayors
Registration
FLIP Final Presentation
May 7, 2011
2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Fairmont Community Center, 525 Barry Ave, Lockport
RSVP
Planning Commissioner Training -- DuPage County
May 7 and 21, 2011
8:00 to 11:45 a.m.
Carol Stream Village Hall: 500 N. Gary Avenue, Carol Stream
Hosted by CMAP, DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference
Registration
E-Government Workshop: Achieving IT Efficiencies Through Collaboration
May 12, 2011
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Hilton Lisle/Naperville, 3003 Corporate West Drive, Lisle
Hosted by University of Illinois at Chicago - College of Urban Planning & Public Affairs
Discounted registration for CMAP Partners
Transport Chicago
June 3, 2011
211 East Chicago Ave, Chicago
Early registration through May 23
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