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Other News and Announcements

LTA in the news. The Riverside-Brookfield Landmark wrote about an upcoming Local Technical Assistance (LTA)  project to develop a downtown area plan for the Village of Riverside. The article quotes CMAP's Trevor Dick. The Englewood Portal also wrote about a recent public meeting held for the development of a Green Healthy Neighborhood plan for the City of Chicago neighborhoods of Woodlawn, Washington Park, Greater Englewood, New City, and Greater Grand Crossing with assistance from LISC Chicago and CMAP.

CMAQ in the news. The Chicago Tribune wrote about Burnham Park bike/pedestrian bridges at 35th, 41st, and 43rd Streets, all of which received funding through CMAP's Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) program.

Interstate Identities. ABC-7 News reporter Roz Varon's "Interstate Identities" series sheds light on the creation and naming of our region's interstate expressways. Featured prominently in these videos is historian Andy Plummer, formerly of the Chicago Area Transportation Study (CATS), one of CMAP's predecessor organizations. CMAP has created a web archive of the segments, which aired every morning this week.

Winter energy savings workshop. On February 25, CMAP and Chicago Conservation Corps will host a Winter Wonderland Energy Savings workshop at Instituto Health Sciences Career Academy from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. Information is also available in Spanish. CMAP’s Future Leaders in Planning (FLIP) students will assist with the workshop and demonstrate best practices for snow removal. View a slideshow from January’s FLIP session when students visited Woodstock, discussed snow and ice removal with residents, and learned how the McHenry County Division of Transportation removes snow and ice in innovative and environmentally-friendly ways.

CMAP media tip sheet. Our latest tip sheet for reporters includes information on funding for a sidewalk project in the Fairmont community, the release of housing policy plans for South Cook communities, and coverage of the latest details on federal transportation reauthorization on CMAP's Policy Updates blog.

IL Route 53/120 design workshop videos. Last week, CMAP hosted a day-long design workshop for the Illinois Route 53/120 Blue Ribbon Advisory Council. Lake County posted videos from the workshop, including an overview and presentations. Workshop materials are also available on-line.

Prospering in Place report. The Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT) has released a new report, "Prospering in Place," that identifies place-based transportation and community development investments that would reinvigorate economic growth. CNT's efforts can support implementation of GO TO 2040, including its emphasis on redevelopment that strengthens our region's existing communities.

Transport Chicago call for papers. Abstracts should be submitted electronically by March 2 to abstracts@transportchicago.org in response to the call for papers issued by Transport Chicago 2012. The annual conference will be held on June 1.

Chicago Cultural Plan meetings. The City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events has launched the Chicago Cultural Plan 2012 to identify opportunities for arts and cultural growth in the city. Townhall meetings are being held to solicit public input and engagement on February 18 at the DuSable Museum from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and February 21 at the National Museum of Mexican Art from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. The complete plan is scheduled for release in Fall 2012.

Great Lakes protection. On February 24, the Seventh Circuit Bar Association Foundation and Field Museum of Natural History will host Protecting the Great Lakes, a program to discuss diversion, pollution, climate change, catastrophes, and invasive species. Register on-line or watch the program live via webcast.

State Bikeway Plan RFI. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) issued a request for information (RFI) on specific ideas and goals to help create a comprehensive State Bikeway Plan. The information gathered will be considered as IDOT develops a request for proposals (RFP) for the plan. Information must be submitted by March 15 at 1:30 p.m.

Rail Summit. On March 15 and 16, the Indiana High-Speed Rail Association will host its second annual Rail Summit in Chesterton, IN.

Chaddick Municipal Development Control Award. DePaul University's Chaddick Institute requests nominations for its 2012 Municipal Development Control Award. Nominations should be for municipal projects demonstrating excellence in sign control, design review, zoning, subdivision regulation, or the development approval process over five years or more. Applications are due March 23. To learn more, contact Marisa Schulz (312-362-5731 or MSCHULZ2@depaul.edu).

Illinois Governor's Sustainability Awards. The Illinois Sustainable Technology Center is accepting applications for the 2012 Sustainability Awards, which are due May 25. For more information, contact Debra Jacobson (630-472-5019 or djacobson@istc.illinois.edu).

Video on bike planning. The National Association of City Transportation Officials released a video on the “Cities for Cycling” stop in Chicago to discuss best practices with City officials for installing protected bike lanes. The film series highlights best practices for innovative transit, bike, pedestrian, and public space projects to improve mobility, safety, livability, and economic competitiveness in America’s largest cities.
 

Data Depot

Rent burden increases. As real incomes declined, demand for rental units has increased since the housing and economic crisis began in 2008. This is reflected in a map of Cook County municipalities we created in MetroPulse. Use the time slider in the upper right hand corner of the map to scroll from 2000 to 2005-2009 U.C. Census figures.

Freeway performance improves. As part of CMAP's Congestion Management Process, staff have compiled performance measures for the regional freeways from 2010. The performance measures include travel time index, planning time index, and congested hours. The travel time index is a measure of average congestion, and the planning time index is a measure of reliability. Congested hours are an indication of how many hours per day a facility is congested. Learn more from CMAP's Green Signals blog.

Illinois Innovation Index. The latest monthly Illinois Innovation Index e-newsletter came out this week and examined private research and development (R&D) spending in the state. Read more about the issue on our Policy Updates blog, as well as in Crain's Chicago Business. All of the data used in the Index is available on MetroPulse.

CMAP Blogs

Policy Updates. The White House released its budget propsal for FY2013, which would increase funding for transportation to $476 billion over six years. We also wrote about the 2012 Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant program. Pre-applications are due on Monday.

Soles and Spokes. CMAP’s bike-ped planning blog announced the call for applications for IDNR’s Recreational Trails Program. We also highlighted a new, updated FHWA Technical Advisory report on the design and installation of rumble strips. It provides information on accommodating cyclists. Finally, we alerted readers to an APBP webinar on land use planning and the routine accommodation of bicycling and walking in new developments.
 

Reminders

TIP comment period ends next week. The CMAP Transportation Committee has released a conformity amendment to the FFY 2010-2015 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). This amendment is open to public comment for 30 days, from January 20 to February 20, 2012. Conformity analysis is part of the transportation modeling process that evaluates the impact of projects on air quality. On-road vehicle emissions are reviewed in certain years (currently 2016, 2020, 2030, and 2040) to determine that the region will reach national air quality goals. Please review the cover memo and list of conformity amendments. Comments mailed to CMAP, ATTN TIP amendments, 233 South Wacker Drive, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60606, or submitted by e-mail or phone 312-454-0400).

GO TO 2040 implementation report. CMAP has released Moving Forward 2010-2011, our first annual GO TO 2040 implementation report. In conjunction with the report, we printed a combination poster-brochure and would love to see it on walls across the region. Please grab a copy or two the next time you visit us, and we can make a box available for distribution by partner organizations. Contact Hillary Green (hgreen@cmap.illinois.gov or 312-386-8619).

Chicago Card Plus I-GO card discounts available. Between now and February 29, individuals can receive a $50 transit fare credit and a heavily discounted I-GO membership when they sign up for a Chicago Card Plus I-GO card, which seamlessly allows members to access CTA buses and trains and I-GO Car Sharing vehicles. Existing I-GO members will received $20 in driving credit for each referral that signs up for the new card before the deadline.

Ike Planning Program. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has opened applications for the Illinois “Ike” Disaster Recovery Planning Program. DCEO will host workshops and teleconference calls to inform local governments about this program. CMAP encourages communities to pursue multijurisdictional applications and will offer assistance to applicants seeking to do this. Interested local governments should contact Stephen Ostrander (312-386-8696 or sostrander@cmap.illinois.gov. Applications are due March 30, 2012.

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