First Off...

New Red Line extension report, video. Extending the CTA Red Line south to 130th Street as recommended by GO TO 2040 would significantly improve access to job opportunities, educational institutions, health facilities, and other resources for Greater Roseland residents, as described in a new "livability report" at cmap.illinois.gov/red-line. The site also features a video, outreach brochure, and map gallery, all developed through CMAP's Local Technical Assistance (LTA) program in collaboration with the Developing Communities Project (DCP) and the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA). The report was featured on WBEZ and Next City this week.

Congestion pricing campaign. Road Pricing took an in-depth look at CMAP's congestion pricing campaign to manage traffic for faster, reliable travel times on five projects of the Illinois Tollway and Illinois Department of Transportation, as described at www.cmap.illinois.gov/congestion-pricing. To support this effort, please contact CMAP principal planner Erin Aleman (312-386-8816 or ealeman@cmap.illinois.gov).

Policy Updates. The Chicago Department of Aviation submitted a Letter of Interest to the federal Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) program for a $252 million loan to support its new Consolidated Rental Car Facility. We also described two new reports on the state and region's infrastructure needs.
 

Other News and Announcements

FLIP video. This year, high school students in CMAP's Future Leaders in Planning (FLIP) program are helping the Village of Park Forest to implement aspects of its sustainability plan, which was developed through our LTA program. Two students from Global Girl Media Chicago shadowed the FLIP program on a field trip to the Village last month and created a video about the experience.

LTA updates. The Urban Land Institute Chicago has released a new report that recommends "right-sizing" retail and providing additional senior housing and green space along the Village of Hanover Park's Irving Park Road Corridor. These economic development strategies were developed in partnership with the Village and CMAP's LTA program. The Herald-News and Patch covered ongoing efforts to develop a comprehensive transportation plan for the Village of Plainfield, and public comments on the plan can be shared on-line. The project is funded by a CMAP LTA grant. A radio interview with CMAP's Erin Aleman discussing CMAP, GO TO 2040, and our LTA program, will be broadcast this Sunday on K-Love radio stations 91.7 WZKL at 7:30 p.m. and on 88.3 WCLR and 88.7 WSRI at 8:30 p.m.

CMAP media tip sheet. Our latest tip sheet includes information on the CTA Red Line South Extension livability report and video, the economic benefits of implementing congestion pricing, a new LTA program report, and more.

CMAQ in the news. Three new bicycle/pedestrian bridges in the region are partially funded through the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) program. The Journal & Topics described a new bicycle bridge project in Elk Grove, the Daily Herald covered a new pedestrian bridge in Algonquin, and the Kane County Chronicle previewed the opening of the Red Gate Bridge for vehicular traffic in St. Charles. A suspended bicycle bridge running underneath the vehicular bridge is set to open in the spring.

Street design workshop. The Congress for the New Urbanism and CMAP, with funding support from The Chicago Community Trust, will hold a urban street design workshop on February 8 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Early registration ends January 14.

RTA strategic plan. The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) is updating the region’s Transit Strategic Plan, which will guide decision making over the next five years. RTA, CTA, Metra, and Pace have undertaken a series of strategic initiatives that will help inform the plan’s update. Through January 25, 2013, you can provide input by taking a 10-minute survey.

Infrastructure expenses. Crain's Joe Cahill quoted CMAP's Matt Maloney this week in a column about the rising cost of infrastructure in Illinois.

Interjurisdictional collaboration report. The Metropolitan Planning Council, Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, and CMAP jointly released a report last week on how to support and sustain interjurisdictional collaboration via housing and community development. Read more in the Chicago Sun-Times.
 

CMAP Blogs

New commenting feature. Please note that it's now easier to comment on CMAP's blogs when signed into your Google, Twitter, Facebook, or other accounts. We would love for you to chime in.

Green Signals. CMAP’s transportation operations blog highlighted the Federal Highway Administration's traffic analysis tools web page.

Soles and Spokes. CMAP’s bike-ped planning blog highlighted the City of Chicago’s Streets for Cycling Plan 2020, which calls for a 645-mile network of bikeways. The City's plan and ongoing Streets for Cycling efforts have received substantial funding from the CMAQ program.
 

Reminders

CMAQ Program call for projects. CMAP is currently accepting applications for CMAQ Program. This year, CMAQ funds will no longer fund preliminary engineering (phase I engineering). The deadline to submit all applications to CMAP is February 8, 2013. Visit our main CMAQ page for more details. Local sponsors should direct questions to their planning liaison, and all other sponsors should contact Doug Ferguson (dferguson@cmap.illinois.gov).

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. 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.

ArcView workshops. CMAP periodically offers a Two-Day Basic ArcView 10 Workshop, and dates are set for January 9 to 10 (one spot left), February 13 to 14, and March 27 to 28. Attendance at each workshop is limited to five people, so register early. The cost is $350. To register, please contact Jan Drennan (jdrennan@cmap.illinois.gov).

Housing forum. The Regional Home Ownership Preservation Initiative, the Illinois Home Ownership Preservation Initiative, and CMAP's Housing Committee will host a forum for municipalities and investors, "Single-Family Rental Housing: Managing the Next Step of the Foreclosure Crisis," on January 30 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information, contact Katie Buitrago (kbuitrago@woodstockinst.org or 312-368-0310).

Events

Single-Family Rental Housing: Managing the Next Step of the Foreclosure Crisis
January 30, 2013
10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago: 230 S. LaSalle Street, Chicago
Hosted by the Regional Home Ownership Preservation Initiative, the Illinois Home Ownership Preservation Initiative, and CMAP's Housing Committee
More information