First Off...

LTA Ideas Exchange. Registration is now closed for the first LTA Ideas Exchange on May 24, 2012, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the second floor of UBS Tower, One North Wacker Drive, Chicago. If you are still interested in attending and would like to be put on the wait list, please contact Yesenia Ambriz at yambriz@cmap.illinois.gov. The event agenda is available on-line. In addition to highlighting accomplishments and lessons learned in the program's inaugural year, this special event will be an opportunity for attendees to discuss grant opportunities, such as the new LTA 2012 Call for Projects described below in the Reminders section.

Policy Updates. Following up on discussions in last week's CMAP Board meeting, our policy blog describes how the state's fiscal condition affects GO TO 2040 implementation. We also wrote about the Chicago Department of Transportation's new plan, "Chicago Forward."

Staff progress report. The third-quarter progress report (January through March) based on CMAP's FY12 work plan is now available online.

Other News and Announcements

LTA updates. On May 22, the Village of Wheeling and partners will host a community meeting for development of its Active Transportation Plan at the Indian Trails Public Library (355 Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling) at 7:00 p.m. There will be an interactive presentation and an opportunity for residents to provide input on strategies to improve walking and biking in the community. This project is funded by a $80,000 grant through the CMAP/Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) Community Planning Program. Read more about the meeting in the Daily Herald. For more information, contact Andrew Jennings (847-499-9061 or ajennings@wheelingil.gov).

LTA in the news. The Evanston Roundtable highlighted CMAP's work with the City to develop a water conservation and efficiency plan. The article quotes CMAP's Amy Talbot. The Kane County Chronicle quotes CMAP's Jason Navota in its preview of the May 21 open house for the development of a comprehensive plan for Campton Hills. The Journal Online also covered the public meeting that will be held on June 12 in Mt. Prospect for Homes for a Changing Region, which is now focusing on the Northwest Suburban Housing Collaborative. The article quotes CMAP's Drew Williams-Clark. Smart Growth America highlighted the most recent Homes report for the West Cook Housing Collaborative.

Featured case study. Amy Sanchez is a great example of the difference one person can make in her or his community. She formed the Collins Street Neighborhood Organization in Joliet to address a variety of issues and improve communication between residents and the city. If you know of an exemplary project (or person) for the GO TO 2040 case study library, please contact Lindsay Banks (312-386-8826) or submit it on-line.

CMAP media tip sheet. Our latest tip sheet includes information on the May 24 LTA Ideas Exchange, new animations that show I-90 truck travel speeds, a CMAP parking strategies report, and more.

Bloomingdale Trail. The Bloomingdale Trail Framework Plan is now available on-line. This project is partially funded by CMAP's Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) program.

Neighborhood recovery spring forum. The National Housing Services of Chicago will host its spring forum "REO to Rental: Will it Pave the Road to Neighborhood Recovery?” on May 23 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the Spertus Institute (610 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago). The event will highlight emerging strategies to convert vacant properties to rental housing, with discussion of the opportunities and challenges for local communities. To RSVP, contact Stephanie Martel or register on-line.

TMA annual meeting. The Transportation Management Association (TMA) of Lake Cook will hold its annual meeting on May 31 at 10:00 a.m. at Baxter Healthcare (1 Baxter Parkway, Deerfield). RSVP by May 28.

Grant management workshop. Grant Writing USA, in partnership with Cook County Sheriff Police Training Academy (200 North Fifth Avenue, River Grove), will host a grant management class June 12-13 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Attendees will learn the basics of managing federal and non-federal grants and can register on-line.

Investing in infrastructure. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel wrote an opinion piece for Politico on the importance of investing in infrastructure.

Data Depot

Innovation metrics. The Daily Herald Business Ledger ran “Measuring innovation to identify challenges and opportunities,” a CMAP-submitted article focusing on the innovation metrics examined in the Illinois Innovation Index. All the data used for the Index is available on MetroPulse.

Small Business. CMAP’s MetroPulse data portal tracks the number of loans to small businesses, along with other related small business indicators. Banks loan to small businesses when they believe the applicant is agile, innovative, and likely to succeed. The U.S. Census also compiles information related to business size in terms of numbers of employees and receipts.

Natural Areas. GO TO 2040 recommends expanding and improving parks and open space in the region. Users can take a look at the total acreage of high quality natural areas observed through the Illinois Natural Areas Inventory on MetroPulse. In March we wrote a Policy Update on how state tax credits can be used to promote conservation easements on private land.

CMAP Blogs

Green Signals. CMAP’s transportation operations blog told readers about the recently released 2012 National Traffic Signal Report Card.

Reminders

LTA 2012 call for projects. For the second year, CMAP is making staff resources and grants available for community-based projects through the GO TO 2040 Local Technical Assistance (LTA) program. Municipalities, counties, multijurisdictional groups, or nongovernmental organizations (in partnership with local government) are encouraged to apply for CMAP staff assistance by responding to the new LTA 2012 Call for Projects. Applications are due by Wednesday, August 1, 2012. For more information, please contact Pete Saunders (psaunders@cmap.illinois.gov or (312) 386-8654). Applicants that would prefer to receive grant funds should consider applying for funding through CMAP's Community Planning program -- see http://rtachicago.com/community-planning/community-planning.html for more details.

FLIP event and applications. On May 31, student participants in our Future Leaders in Planning (FLIP) program will present their findings on innovative ice and snow removal techniques in a special event at Journey World (770 N. Halsted St., Chicago) from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The final presentation to elected officials and other community leaders from across the region will feature multimedia demonstrations and other materials about best snow removal practices to help reduce environmental impacts. These high school students met one Saturday per month to learn about the issues that shape our region’s economy and quality of life. The early deadline for the FLIP 2012-13 application is June 1. Students who will be sophomores, juniors, or seniors in the 2012-13 school year are eligible. For more information, contact Ricardo Lopez (rlopez@cmap.illinois.gov or 312-386-8766).

Streets for Cycling Plan 2020 public meetings. CDOT is holding open houses and webinars throughout Chicago to get input on a draft network for the Streets for Cycling Plan 2020. The plan will identify a network of bicycling facilities that will make bike trips safe and comfortable for Chicagoans. For information and webinar reservations, visit this CDOT web page.

National Public Works Week. The American Public Association of Public Works will celebrate the 2012 National Public Works Week with “Public Works: Creating a Lasting Impression” from May 20 to 26. Events and outreach focus on the importance of public works to the community and how public work professionals use sustainable methods to plan and build public works.

Events

Energy Impact Illinois volunteer training
May 19, 2012
10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Center for Neighborhood Technology: 1741 N. Western, Chicago
RSVP

Campton Hills open house
May 21, 2012
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Wasco Elementary School: 4N782 School Street, Campton Hills
Hosted by the Village of Campton Hills and CMAP
More information

Future Leaders in Planning (FLIP) final presentation
May 31, 2012
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Journey World: 770 N. Halsted, Chicago
More information