Posted on February 22, 2013 3:35 PM
CMAP Weekly Update, 2-22-13
Among the highlights from CMAP executive director Randy Blankenhorn, last call to register for the February 26 Regional Manufacturing Cluster Drill-Down Forum, a new Policy Update on how the region's communities recover from the housing crisis and manage a changed housing stock, IL 53/120 in the news, updates on LTA projects in Niles, Algonquin, Hinsdale, and Northwest Cook County communities. Subscribe to get Weekly Updates by e-mail.
First Off...
Manufacturing forum: Last call to register. On February 26, CMAP will host a Regional Manufacturing Cluster Drill-Down Forum. The event will feature a presentation on CMAP’s latest industry cluster report and its recommendations to address the advance the manufacturing cluster's key challenges and opportunities. A panel of education and industry experts will also discuss how to support the growth of metropolitan Chicago's manufacturing cluster. The event will be at the Harper College Wojcik Conference Center (1200 W. Algonquin Road, Palatine) from 8:30 to 11:00 a.m., with an optional tour of the college's manufacturing training facilities from 11:00 a.m. to noon. Registration is free, and space is limited. Contact Annie Byrne with questions.
Policy Updates. Since the housing crisis began, many for-sale single-family homes in the region have become rental units or are now vacant. As analyzed in our Policy Updates blog, this has diverse implications for how the region’s communities recover from the housing crisis and manage a housing stock that has traditionally been owner-occupied. We also described a new legislative initiative, HB 1549, that would expand the use of performance-based funding for transportation projects by the State of Illinois.
IL 53/120 news. This week the Illinois Tollway awarded a $4 million contract to plan for the IL 53 north extension and IL 120 bypass, as described by the Chicago Tribune and Daily Herald. In support of the project, the CMAP Local Technical Assistance (LTA) program is helping affected communities to plan for land use in the corridor. CMAP is also urging the Tollway to commit to congestion pricing on the facility, as described at www.cmap.illinois.gov/congestion-pricing. To support our congestion pricing effort, please contact CMAP principal planner Erin Aleman (312-386-8816 or ealeman@cmap.illinois.gov).
Other News and Announcements
LTA updates. Among recent highlights from the CMAP LTA program, the
Bugle,
Niles Herald-Spectator, and
Niles Patch described last week's public hearing for the draft Niles
Environmental Action Plan. The plan is set to go to the Niles Village Board for adoption on February 26. The
Northwest Herald covered development of a draft
downtown plan for the Village of Algonquin. CMAP is helping Hinsdale develop a
parking strategies study, and residents can provide input on several strategies and priorities to improve the livability and vitality of the community's historic downtown at
www.hinsdale.metroquest.com. The
Journal & Topics,
Daily Herald, and
Arlington Heights Patch described a
Homes for a Changing Region project involving the Northwest Suburban Housing Collaborative (Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Mount Prospect, Palatine, and Rolling Meadows). The
housing plan was produced in partnership with the Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) and the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus (MMC).
Transportation proposals in the news. The
Trib described proposed legislation on merging CMAP and the Regional Transportation Authority.
Chicago Streetsblog described the Circle Interchange project, which has been
proposed as an amendment to the GO TO 2040 plan.
CMAP media tip sheet. The latest
tip sheet includes information on next week's Regional Manufacturing Cluster Drill-Down Forum, our latest GO TO 2040 implementation report, and more.
Water summit. Northeastern Illinois University will host
Nexus 2013, an international water summit, on March 6-7 in Chicago. CMAP's Tim Loftus will discuss
regional water supply planning at the event.
TIFIA webinar. The U.S. Department of Transportation will hold a Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act
webinar on March 7 from 12:30 to 2:30 pm. TIFIA provides
federal credit assistance to public agencies for transportation projects of national and regional significance. Projects must cost, at minimum, $50 million. Space is limited.
Deconstruction ordinance workshops. Cook County and Delta Institute are hosting a series of free public workshops in March for
contractors and
municipal employees on Cook County's new
Demolition, Debris, and Diversion Ordinance.
TOD financing report. A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
report on infrastructure financing for transit-oriented development features the South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association, which was selected for the agency's Smart Growth Implementation Assistance program.
CMAP Blogs
Soles and Spokes. CMAP’s bike-ped planning blog featured a new Victorian Transport Policy Institute report on the nature and value of a Complete Streets approach to roadway design and how it relates to other planning innovations. We also highlighted a Federal Highway Administration report on a new method to estimate pedestrian and bicyclist exposure to crash risk in large urban areas.
Reminders
GO TO 2040 implementation report. CMAP has released Moving Forward: Implementation Report, 2012, our second 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).
EI2 rebates. In case you missed it, CMAP's Dan Olson discussed rebates available through Energy Impact Illinois with WGN Radio's Mr. Fix-It, Lou Manfredini. Through EI2, homeowners can receive rebates up to $1,750 (an estimated 70-percent cost savings) to improve the comfort of their homes. 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.
Stormwater BMP seminar. The Conservation Foundation will hold its fourth "Beyond the Basics: Stormwater Best Management Practices seminar" on March 13 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Bobak's Signature Events (6440 Double Eagle Drive, Woodridge). In related news, a new CMAP publication describes how local governments can use stormwater utilities to address local flooding and drainage problems. For additional information on the publication, contact Jesse Elam (jelam@cmap.illinois.gov or 312-386-8688).
Grant writing class. Grant Writing USA and the Cook County Sheriff's Police Training Academy will host a class on how to identify and respond to grant opportunities on March 11-12 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Cook County Sheriff's Police Training Academy (2000 N. 5th Avenue, River Grove).
Events
Riders for Better Transit: Building a 21st Century System February 25, 2013
8:30 a.m. to noon
UBS Tower Conference Center: 1 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago
Hosted by the Active Transportation Alliance
More information Regional Manufacturing Cluster Forum February 26, 2013
9:00 a.m. to noon
Harper College Wojcik Conference Center: 1200 W. Algonquin Road, Palatine
Hosted by CMAP
Registration Northlake open house March 6, 2013
5:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Northlake Public Library: 231 N. Wolf Road, Northlake
Hosted by the City of Northlake and CMAP
More information Elmwood Park open house March 7, 2013
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Elmwood Park Recreation Center: 2 Conti Parkway, Elmwood Park
Hosted by the Village of Elmwood Park and CMAP
More information Big Rock planning meeting March 11, 2013
6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Village Fire Department: 48W863 E. 2nd Street, Big Rock
Hosted by the Village of Big Rock, Kane County, and CMAP
More information
Blogs (Weekly Updates) 
