About these weekly mails.  In January, CMAP began the weekly Economic Recovery Update email to keep regional stakeholders apprised of the stimulus package that was then in its early stages of development.  We hope you have found it useful as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act took shape.  I believe the time has come to reduce the frequency of these mails.  Starting today, we will only send the ARRA update as needed, e.g., if breaking news requires something immediate.  Be sure to watch our primary CMAP Weekly Update emails, which will include ARRA items.  And don't forget to check our Regional Response to the ARRA website, where you can subscribe via RSS Feed to get alerts when that site is updated.  CMAP will continue to fulfill its roles in reviewing proposals for ARRA-funded road and transit projects and in coordinating the region's effort to quantify and report on the outcomes from a broad range of stimulus projects.

LaHood remarks.  USDOT secretary Ray LaHood is quoted as saying that Illinois stands to receive all of its $935 million in ARRA road funding.  I'm also hopeful that we will benefit from additional funds left unused by other states that don't meet "use it or lose it" deadlines.

T&I report.  On April 2, 2009, the U.S. House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Committee issued a report on progress in construction of roads, transit, and other ARRA-related infrastructure.

Transportation equity report.  PolicyLink and Transportation Equity Network have published a report, "An Engine of Opportunity: A User's Guide to Advocate for Transportation Equity in the 2009 Recovery Act."
   
Clean energy.  The U.S.EPA  has developed numerous resources to help state and local governments take advantage of the ARRA funding for clean energy. In addition to several others, one guide focuses on Rapid Deployment of Energy Efficiency.  ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability has posted helpful "preparation checklists" for many of the energy-related ARRA funding opportunities.

DCEO report.  The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) has posted the state ARRA allocations of Workforce Investment Act formula funding to Local Workforce Investment Areas.  A total of $74,554,455 has been allocated to the nine Local Workforce Investment Boards that serve the seven-county northeastern Illinois region.

HUD funds to Lake County.  At a press event today, Lake County is announcing $4.6 million in ARRA funds from HUD, for use in purchasing and rehabilitating abandoned and foreclosed homes and residential properties to re-sell or rent to individuals and families that qualify based on income.  Click here for more.

Governor's office to release ARRA guide. Representatives from Governor Quinn's office have announced that the State will be releasing a 2009 American Reinvestment and Recovery Act Program Guide at the end of this week. The guide will be posted on http://www.recovery.illinois.gov

Workforce development event. The Chicago Jobs Council hosted a member event on Monday, April 6th to discuss workforce elements of ARRA.  The event provided an overview of key workforce development funding sources and included a panel discussion with representatives from the Department of Labor, Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the City of Chicago, and the Governor's office.  Materials from the event will be posted at: http://www.cjc.net/

Council of Mayors.  As previously reported, a substantial portion of the locally programmed ARRA funding is programmed through the CMAP Council of Mayors.  Click here to read a summary report on the approach taken by each of the eleven Councils.

News links.  Among the related coverage:

The Chicago Tribune and Chicagoist report on the state and regional response to home foreclosures, including a bill signed by Governor Quinn to give homeowners an additional 90 days before lenders can force them from their homes.

The Associated Press writes about the extent to which ARRA funds could benefit schools in Illinois.