First Off...

Momentum for congestion pricing. In the past week, the Chicago Tribune editorial page and Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) have expressed strong support for CMAP's congestion pricing initiative (www.cmap.illinois.gov/congestion-pricing). MPC President MarySue Barrett’s latest blog post explores congestion pricing and innovative financing mechanisms, as advocated by MPC in a 2010 series of case studies, The Road Less Traveled: Exploring Congestion Pricing in Chicago. CMAP's new computer modeling shows that, if implemented on five new GO TO 2040 construction projects, express toll lanes would allow drivers during the morning rush to reach their destinations 31 to 66 percent quicker, at a modest additional cost.

CMAP and its partners are urging that Governor Quinn, the Illinois Department of Transportation, and the Illinois Tollway commit to congestion pricing for two new Tollway facilities -- the IL 53 north extension and IL 120 bypass and the Elgin-O'Hare West Bypass -- plus new lanes on the Tollway's I-90 Addams and IDOT's I-290 Eisenhower and I-55 Stevenson. To be part of that effort, please contact CMAP principal planner Erin Aleman (312-386-8816 or ealeman@cmap.illinois.gov).

Policy Updates. Our policy blog describes a new report by the State Budget Crisis Task Force, which recommends immediate action by the State of Illinois to achieve fiscal sustainability. CMAP will monitor proposed reforms as they take shape in coming months. The task force was created in 2011 to study "specific threats to near and long term fiscal sustainability in six U.S. states: California, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Texas, and Virginia."
 

Other News and Announcements

EI2 in the news. The Elmhurst Patch described a "house party" held by 1st Ward Alderman Diane Gutenkauf to promote Energy Impact Illinois (EI2) rebates of up to $1,750 (an estimated 70-percent cost savings) for upgrades residents can make to improve the quality of their homes. The Elgin Courier-News also had an item about the EI2 rebates, and the Village of Oak Park recently created a video about benefits of the rebate program. 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.

CMAP media tip sheet. Our latest tip sheet includes information on congestion pricing efforts, data on regional employment in the freight cluster, efforts to implement performance-based funding, and updates on the LTA Program.

Featured case study. In developing its transportation plan, McHenry County partnered with the Active Transportation Alliance to engage over 200 students from six high schools. If you know an exemplary project for the GO TO 2040 case studies library, please contact Lindsay Bayley (312-386-8826) or submit it on-line.

Planning for climate change. The National Association of Regional Councils released a report on regional efforts to respond to climate change.
 

CMAP Blogs

Green Signals. CMAP’s transportation operations blog told readers about an upcoming integrated corridor management workshop.
 

Reminders

Metra strategic plan. For the development of its new strategic plan, Metra is hosting a new round of open house meetings to solicit public feedback from November 1-12.

Comments due November 9: Public Participation Plan. CMAP staff, in collaboration with the agency's Citizens' Advisory Committee and the Regional Transportation Authority, drafted a 2012 Public Participation Plan that is now available for public comment through November 9. This is an update to CMAP's 2007 plan. Send comments to Erin Aleman (ealeman@cmap.illinois.gov).

Events

Green Healthy Neighborhoods planning meeting
November 10, 2012
9:00 to 11:45 a.m.
Coppin Memorial A.M.E. Church: 5627 S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago
Hosted by the City of Chicago, LISC/Chicago, Teamwork Englewood, Washington Park Consortium, and CMAP
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Lakemoor open house
November 13, 2012
7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Lakemoor Police Station: 27901 Concrete Drive, Community Room, Lakemoor
Hosted by the Village of Lakemoor and CMAP
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UIC Urban Forum
December 6, 2012
UIC Forum: 725 W. Roosevelt Road, Chicago
Hosted by the University of Illinois at Chicago
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