Among the highlights from CMAP executive director Randy Blankenhorn, CMAQ applications due TODAY, the Local Coordinating Committee's upcoming meeting will be 8:30 a.m. instead of its normal 8:00 a.m. meeting time, local news coverage of a new travel-time reliability report included mention of CMAP's congestion pricing campaign, and the announcement of a newly-formed manufacturing lab designed to make local manufacturers more competitive. Subscribe to get Weekly Updates by e-mail.

First Off...

CMAP meetings. The CMAP Board will meet at 9:30 a.m. next Wednesday, February 13, 2013. The Local Coordinating Committee will meet prior to the Board at 8:30 a.m. (not at its normal 8:00 a.m. meeting time).

Manufacturing lab. Crain's Chicago Business covered the newly announced Illinois Manufacturing Lab, which is designed to make local manufacturers more competitive. The article quotes University of Illinois associate vice president of research Caralynn Nowinski, one of the panelists in CMAP's Regional Manufacturing Cluster Drill-Down Forum to be held on February 26. The event will be at the Harper College Wojcik Conference Center (1200 W. Algonquin Road, Palatine) from 9:00 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.

Other News and Announcements

Pinterest. Connect with CMAP now on our new Pinterest page. You can also follow CMAP (@goto2040) and MetroPulse (@Metropulsechi) on Twitter, Google Plus, and Facebook for updates and interactive chats. And subscribe to our YouTube channel.

LTA updates. Among recent highlights from the CMAP Local Technical Assistance program, last week the Village of Richton Park held a public kick-off meeting for development of its new comprehensive plan and zoning update. Residents can provide input through an on-line mapping tool. The Journal & Topics described a Homes for a Changing Region project involving the Northwest Suburban Housing Collaborative (Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Mount Prospect, Palatine, and Rolling Meadows). Staff will make final presentations to participating communities through February and March. The housing plan was produced in partnership with the Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) and the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus (MMC). We also launched new project web pages for Hinsdale's parking strategies study and Big Rock's comprehensive plan update. A public kick-off meeting in Big Rock will be held March 11 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the Village Fire Department (48W863 E. 2nd Street, Big Rock), and in the meantime residents can share their ideas via an on-line survey. A February update for all LTA projects is now available at www.cmap.illinois.gov/lta.

EI2 in the news. The Daily Herald described rebates currently available through Energy Impact Illinois. Individuals can receive up to $1,750 (an estimated 70-percent cost savings) for efficiency upgrades to save energy and 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.

Landscape architecture. The Illinois Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects newsletter features GO TO 2040 in an article by Ferhat Zerin of Ginkgo Planning and Design.

MELA conference. The Midwest Ecological Landscaping Association will hold its annual conference on February 28 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the University Center of Lake County in Grayslake. CMAP's Jason Navota will participate in the first plenary session on transformation and change.

IDOT annual report. IDOT has released its 2012 annual report.

Transit improvements. The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) released a newsletter on bus rapid transit this month, featuring information on a new grant award from the Rockefeller Foundation to support Chicago's efforts, as well as other efforts to implement BRT. In related news, the CTA also announced plans to spend up to $2 billion on next-generation rail cars to help modernize its fleet. Read more in the Trib. GO TO 2040 recommends a focus on maintenance and modernization of our transit system.

Call for presentations. The College of Lake County has issued a call for presentations for this year's County Green event to be held May 23, 2013. Presentation abstract submissions are due February 15, 2013.

CNU panel. The Congress for the New Urbanism and Chicago Architecture Foundation will host the 2013 CNU Charter Awards Jurors for a panel discussion on urbanism and global planning challenges on February 21 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at 224 S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago.

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).

CMAP Blogs

Policy Updates. We described recent news from Springfield, including the Governor's State of the State address.

Soles and Spokes. CMAP’s bike-ped planning blog featured the announcement of 2012 Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program projects. The $50 million program awarded $25.67 million to 28 projects in IDOT District 1, which includes the CMAP region. We also described the Illinois Department of Natural Resource's call for applications under three grant programs they administer that fund trail planning and construction. Applications are due March 1, 2013.

Reminders

GO TO 2040 comment period. CMAP seeks comment on a proposed amendment to GO TO 2040 that would add the Circle Interchange project and update the plan's description of the Prairie Parkway project. In addition, a conformity amendment to the FFY 2010-15 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) has been released for comment. See the CMAP website for a description of conformity. The comment period for both amendments ends February 18, 2013. Comments can be submitted via e-mail, phone (312-454-0400), and mail (CMAP, ATTN Plan and TIP amendments, 233 S. Wacker Dr., Suite 800, Chicago, IL, 60606).

Stormwater utilities. A new CMAP publication describes how local governments can use stormwater utilities to address local flooding and drainage problems. For additional information, contact Jesse Elam (jelam@cmap.illinois.gov or 312-386-8688).

Full-cost water pricing. CMAP, in partnership with the Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant, developed the Full-Cost Water Pricing Guidebook for Sustainable Community Water Systems. For additional information and printed copies, contact Margaret Schneemann (mschneemann@cmap.illinois.gov or 312-676-7456).

Events

Alsip open house
February 13, 2013
4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Apollo Recreation Center: 12521 S. Kostner Avenue, Alsip
Hosted by the Village of Alsip and CMAP
More information

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