First Off...

MAP-21 analysis.  We posted a thorough analysis of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) highway reauthorization bill in a two-part series on our Policy Updates blog.  The series highlights CMAP's concerns and overall position on MAP-21 using the five transportation reauthorization principles CMAP published two years ago. 

Industry clusters analysis.  The November edition of the Illinois Innovation Index newsletter features CMAP-led analysis of industry clusters that are important drivers of our regional economy.  By understanding these factors -- using new data and techniques pioneered by the Harvard Business School -- we want to help decision makers to guide resources for targeted support of technology transfer and workforce development, improving these job-creating clusters' economic competitiveness.  See yesterday's story by Wailin Wong of the Chicago Tribune.  Along with the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, the Illinois Science & Technology Coalition, and World Business Chicago, CMAP is a partner in the Illinois Innovation Network.

TheEnergyBills.org.  Energy Impact Illinois, a program delivering resources aimed at helping residents save energy and money by improving the efficiency of their homes, is gaining traction.  This month, the program launched residential tools and financing options for single family homeowners in the seven-county CMAP region plus the City of Rockford, including an inventive energy calculator called "MyHomeEQ."  This home diagnostic tool is gaining recognition as a valuable resource for area home owners, most recently in articles in the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Magazine, and Chicago Public Radio.

Policy Updates.  The Chicago Transit Authority and Metra separately approved their 2012 budgets this month.  Each budget reflects efforts to improve transit service while managing rising operating costs.  We also wrote about the importance of parking management strategies to mitigate congestion and potentially raise money for transit -- CMAP is currently working on a parking tool kit resource for municipalities. 

Other News and Announcements

LTA in the news.  The Daily Herald and Kane County Chronicle both wrote about a planning meeting held this week for the development of a comprehensive plan for the Village of Campton Hills, and both articles quote CMAP's Jason Navota.  The Daily Herald also wrote about how the City of Elgin's study of sidewalk and transit stop access will benefit from a grant by the joint CMAP/RTA Community Planning Program, which also made a grant to the Village of Wheeling to begin work on a proposed bike and pedestrian plan. The Congress for the New Urbanism also wrote about a charette held with planners, architects, and others for the development of a comprehensive plan for the Village of Carpentersville. 

CMAP media tip sheet.  For a media-friendly summary of recent newsworthy items from CMAP, please see our tip sheet from November 15, 2011.  It includes the launch of MyHomeEQ energy calculator, a series describing modern boulevards on the Policy Updates blog, a new interactive map feature for the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), and more.

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.

Urban design showcase in Libertyville. The non-profit Main Street Libertyville organization is hosting a presentation and tour of the "Not So Big" showhouse, part of the SchoolStreet infill development. Attendees can meet the architect and developer tomorrow, Saturday, November 19, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 138 School Street in Libertyville. The 2,450-square-foot home is designed for walkability, energy efficiency, and comfort, situated in a former "redfield" neighborhood. Read more in a related story by EcoHome, a magazine of the American Institute of Architects.

Water workshop.  On December 5 and 6, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee will host a workshop on how communities can restore and develop hydrologically and ecologically functioning landscapes to address water resource issues, help mitigate flooding, and promote green infrastructure.

Water utility survey. The Illinois Section American Water Works Association (AWWA)’s Water Efficiency Committee developed a water utility survey to gather data on the water-energy nexus throughout the state to start the discussion on the connection between water and energy and how both can be used more efficiently.

Water column. Eric Zorn has an interesting perspective on the City of Chicago's needed move toward full-cost pricing of water. The headline does a slight disservice to this thoughtful column on a sensitive and important subject.

Public health and planning roundtable and training. On December 7, the Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC), in partnership with the Institute on Social Exclusion at the Adler School of Professional Psychology and the Center of Excellence in the Elimination of Disparities, is hosting both a roundtable and training on public health and planning. The events will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.at MPC's offices (140 S. Dearborn, Suite 1400, Chicago). from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

EcoSummit 2012.  Pre-Conference Ecological Field Trips,Mid-Conference Field Trips, and additional plenary speakers have been announced by organizers of EcoSummit 2012. To be held September 30 through October 5, 2012, in Columbus, Ohio, the conference is billed as the first ever to link the Ecological Society of America (ESA), The International Association for Ecology (INTECOL), and the Society for Ecological Restoration International (SER), presenting a platform for dialogue among researchers, planners, and decision makers regarding the complex nature of ecological systems.

CNT opportunity. Through a new coalition called Livability Solutions and with support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Center for Neighborhood Technology is working with the New York-based Project for Public Spaces (PPS) to provide free technical assistance to communities seeking to implement sustainable and smart growth development and programs. The coalition is accepting applications through November 22, 2011, for quick, targeted assistance to communities that face common development problems.  See the Livability Solutions website or contact livabilitysolutions@pps.org.

Advantage Illinois.  The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has a new small business lending program, Advantage Illinois, that includes three different lender administered programs and a venture capital program run by DCEO. See the program's fact sheet for additional information, and read about it in a recent CMAP Policy Update.

CMAP Blogs

Green Signals.  CMAP’s transportation operations blog told readers about an upcoming webinar on planning for operations using regional operations objectives.

Soles and Spokes.  CMAP’s bike-ped planning blog announced a request for proposals from the City of Chicago for implementation of a bike sharing program that seeks to enhance the public transit system by providing bicycles to complete the first or last leg of trips.  The program is funded through the FY2012-2016 Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ).  We also announced the opening of public voting for the 2011 People Powered Movement Photo Contest, sponsored by the Alliance for Biking and Walking.

Reminders

TIP comment period.  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).

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

Berwyn Planning Meeting
November 19, 2011
10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Berwyn Police Department: 6401 W. 31st Street
Hosted by the City of Berwyn and CMAP
More information

Park Forest Planning Meeting
November 30, 2011
7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Green Banquet Hall: 394 Main Street, Park Forest
Hosted by the Village of Park Forest and CMAP
More information