Among the highlights from CMAP executive director Randy Blankenhorn, the final three installments in the Policy Updates series on the OECD Territorial Review, the March Illinois Innovation Index examines regional patent output, updates on LTA projects in Chicago neighborhoods, how a MetroPulse indicator measures engaged citizens, and the FLIP 2012-13 application is available. Subscribe to get Weekly Updates by e-mail.
First Off...
OECD blog posts. This week we added the final three installments in our series of Policy Updates on the Territorial Review of northeast Illinois, southeast Wisconsin, and northwest Indiana by the international Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). One post focused on the report's approach to
innovation, another on
green jobs, and a third on
governance.
GO TO 2040 was an influential starting point for the team's efforts, and CMAP provided a large amount of data, policy guidance, and other input for the report. Earlier, the series -- which is being cross-posted by the
Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce -- looked at the tri-state area's
assets and challenges,
workforce development, and
transportation and logistics.
Transportation reauthorization update. This week, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to reject Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21
st Century (MAP-21) in a procedural vote and Representative John Mica has now introduced a three-month extension of current federal authorization. Read more on our Policy Updates blog.
Save the Date: County Green. The College of Lake County in Grayslake presents
County Green, a one-day event on May 17 to promote a sustainable future in Lake County. Designed to spur action, the third annual County Green will focus on the environmental, social and economic impact of water and food on our region. CMAP is closely involved with this day-long event, which is targeted to local business owners and educators, as well as non-profit, municipal, and county leaders.
Other News and Announcements
LTA updates. Through our
Local Technical Assistance program, CMAP has partnered with the
Developing Communities Project (DCP) and
Loyola University's Center for Urban Research and Learning (CURL) in a campaign to demonstrate how the proposed CTA Red Line Extension would improve livability in affected community areas. To participate in focus groups and individual interviews throughout the community, contact Kendra Smith (
ksmith@cmap.illinois.gov or 312-386-8774). On Saturday March 31, the
Green and Healthy Neighborhood LTA project will collaborate with the Third Annual Woodlawn Summit from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. (969 E. 60th Street, Chicago). The Bronzeville Alliance has released
Developing Vibrant Retail in Bronzeville, a report detailing strategies to support coordinated retail planning on several Bronzeville Corridors. On Saturday, April 21, CMAP and the Alliance will host a community visioning workshop for the
Retail Development Inititative LTA project.
LTA in the news. This week, the Joliet TribLocal
covered the presentation by the City of Joliet, the Urban Land Institute, and CMAP of redevelopment recommendations for the
Joliet Correctional Center.
Great Lakes meeting. "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Implementation of the Great Lakes Compact" will be held on Wednesday, March 28 from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the John Marshall Law School, 315 S. Plymouth Court, in Chicago.
Register for free by March 21. CMAP's Tim Loftus will be among the speakers.
LEED comment period. The U.S. Green Building Council invites
comments through March 27 on changes to the LEED rating systems. Though commenting is open to members only, the drafts should interest anyone involved in making buildings more energy efficient.
WTTW special. If you missed it yesterday, watch for repeat broadcasts of Geoffrey Baer's
new show about architect Michael Graves, who will receive the 2012
Richard H. Driehaus Prize for Classical Architecture tomorrow in Chicago. The special will be on again tonight at 8:00 p.m. and tomorrow at 11:30 p.m.
Wildlife refuge proposal. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking comments on an Environmental Assessment for the proposed Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge straddling the state line between Walworth County, Wisconsin and McHenry County, Illinois, and lying between Milwaukee and Chicago. Visit the
project web page for details, including open houses on April 3 in Ringwood, Illinois, and April 4 in Genoa City, Wisconsin.
Volunteering GIS award. Congratulations to
URISA (Urban and Regional Information Systems Association) for receiving a 2012 President’s Volunteer Service Award from President Obama. URISA received the award for its GISCorps, which coordinates the volunteer efforts of GIS professionals who work around the world in distressed areas that need mapping assistance.
Recycling training. The non-profit organization WasteCap Resource Solutions will host several events to help individuals and organizations handle construction and demolition waste properly. Included are two different
webinarson March 29 and April 26, plus full-day
training at the Chicago Center for Green Technology on April 24.
Data Depot
Measuring engaged citizens. MetroPulse tracks voter turnout as a key indicator of civic engagement. A 2007 study of 332 municipal elections over 25 years in in large American cities found that voter turnout averaged 27 percent. Chicago ranked first in median turnout of 48 percent.
Region's communities increase school travel plans. It is important for our region’s communities to work with school, police, engineering, and health officials to assure the safety of children traveling to school. As of 2010, 107municipalities in the Chicago region had school travel plans approved by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), an increase from 83 in 2008 and 58 in 2007. School travel plans can help address livability and regional mobility, as called for in GO TO 2040. Visit www.cmap.illinois.gov/bike-ped for more information.
Gross Regional Product. Like gross domestic product (GDP), this indicator tracks the dollar value of all goods and services produced within the region. Click here to see how our region compares to others nationally from 2001-2008.
CMAP Blogs
Soles and Spokes. This week, CMAP’s bike-ped planning blog featured a recent video produced by the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) as part of their film series, Cities for Cycling Road Shows. The four minute film highlights the City of Chicago and Chicago Department of Transportation recent efforts to improve cycling conditions by installing innovative facilities and programs.
Policy Updates. In addition to the OECD series, we posted about ways that tax credits can be used to promote conservation easements.
Reminders
GO TO 2040 implementation report web page. We've created a web companion to the Moving Forward: 2010-11 report on implementation of GO TO 2040, which highlights projects from the full report. For copies of the report or the summary poster-brochure, please contact Hillary Green (hgreen@cmap.illinois.gov or 312-386-8619).
Ike Planning Program. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has opened applications for the Illinois “Ike” Disaster Recovery Planning 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.
FLIP application. The 2012-13 application is now available for CMAP’s Future Leaders in Planning (FLIP). Selected high school students from around the region meet one Saturday a month and go behind the scenes to learn about what keeps our region strong, safe, healthy, and moving. Any freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior in the CMAP region is eligible to apply. For more information, contact Ricardo Lopez (rlopez@cmap.illinois.gov or 312-386-8766).
ITEP applications. The Illinois Department of Transportation is seeking proposals for the 2012 Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP). Approximately $50 million is available for projects. Proposals are due May 29, 2012.
Events
Riverside planning meeting
April 11, 2012
7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Riverside Township Auditorium: 27 Riverside Road, Riverside
More information
Chicagoland Green Collar Jobs Summit
April 12, 2012
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Arturo Velasquez Institute: 2800 S. Western Avenue, Chicago
Hosted by the Illinois Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council
More information
Transportation Conformity Workshops
April 24 to 26, 2012
8:30 to 5:00 p.m.
CMAP: 233 S. Wacker Drive, Suite 800, Chicago
More information
Blogs (Weekly Updates) 
