CALL TO ACTION for CMAP funding. We are entering (hopefully) the final week of the legislative session. We continue to receive positive feedback that our funding will be included in the state's operating budget, but it is not over until it is over, and we need your help to make a final push. Please spread the word and reach out to the General Assembly leadership and your local legislators, urging them to reinstate the Comprehensive Regional Planning Fund (CRPF) by co-sponsoring and supporting Senate Bill 2455 and House Bill 4560. Passing these bills or ensuring that the language is included in another appropriations bill will reinstate the CRPF and appropriate the necessary funds to ensure dedicated funding for effective comprehensive planning throughout Illinois. Please see and use our "call to action" fact sheet, or a new one-page version, a revised sample letter, and list of contacts.

Capital bill.  This week saw both the House and Senate pass a capital bill, which now awaits Governor Quinn's signature.  The $26 billion package, while not as large as we might have hoped, would be a critical step in restoring chronically under-funded infrastructure, including roads, transit, schools, and water treatment.  HB312 is the capital spending bill, and HB255 deals with capital revenue, which would come from increased costs of drivers' licenses and license plates, and taxes on alcohol.  Read more in a Tribune story by Rich Wronski.

Invent the Future kickoff.  If you haven't yet, there's time to RSVP for one of our May 27 sessions at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe.  Attendees will be the first to experience our new interactive tools that will let residents create, share, and compare their future scenarios. In addition to workshops like this, the software will be available starting June 1 at http://www.goto2040.org and in kiosks at dozens of locations.  The identical sessions begin at 10:00 a.m. (until noon) and 1:00 p.m. (until 3:00 p.m), and trolley service is available.  Contact Joey-Lin Silberhorn (312-386-8814 or jsilberhorn@cmap.illinois.gov).

GO TO 2040 posters.  I hope all of our partners will grab a stack of the new, collectible posters we just had printed to help spread the word about GO TO 2040.  Please pick some up the next time you're here, or contact Joey and we'll get some to you. 

Web promotion.  If you don't mind one more piece of Invent the Future promotion, we've posted a set of small images to help GO TO 2040 partners point people to our new web tools.  Download yours today and place it on your blog, site, or even in your email signature. Just make sure you link it to http://www.goto2040.org.

Energy efficiency workshop.  On Wednesday, June 3, 2009, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., CMAP, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), and the Center for Neighborhood Technology will host a workshop at Joliet Junior College for recipients of Energy Efficiency and Conservation block grants. This event will describe funding opportunities related to the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants, the State Energy Programs, and the Weatherization Programs related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA, better known as "the Stimulus Bill"). It will help recipients of direct block grant funds (e.g., local governments) understand how to meet U.S. Department of Energy requirements. For example, grantees need to coordinate with the State Energy Office and leverage resources from other federal, state, and local governments, utilities, private sector, and non-profit organizations to maximize energy, economic, and environmental benefits of the funding. To RSVP for this free event, contact Jamie Krell (312-386-8658 or jkrell@cmap.illinois.gov).  Click here for details.

CDAP application guidelines. The Community Development Block Grant (in Illinois the program is called Community Development Assistance Program or CDAP) application guidelines were posted this week by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.  See http://www2.illinoisbiz.biz/econ/inf-projects/Infrastructure.htm.

UIC video.  We've posted video from my recent commencement address to the University of Illinois at Chicago's College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs.  Click here to read the text of my remarks (that link was broken previously).

Park Service opportunity.  The National Park Service helps partners plan successful locally-led outdoor recreation and natural resource conservation projects.  August 1, 2009, is the deadline for the next round of assistance from the Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) Program.  Applicants are strongly encouraged to discuss project ideas with RTCA staff before submitting an application.  Visit http://www.nps.gov/rtca for more information.

Transport Chicago reminder.  Early registration for Transport Chicago ends on May 24, 2009, after which the cost will increase by $10. See http://www.transportchicago.org for details of the event, which will be held on June 5.

Certification reminder.  The FHWA and FTA Planning Certification Review for the Chicago Transportation Management Area will include a public meeting on Tuesday, June 9, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Metropolitan Planning Council,140 S. Dearborn St. Suite 1400, Chicago, IL 60603.

Blog entries.  Diana Torres announces the winners from the Bold Ideas contest that took place on May 7 at Bloom Trail High School. Shana Alford compares conclusions from the "Smart Growth is Healthy Living" conference in Kane County to CMAP's published strategy reports.  

SPECIAL REMINDER: "Invent the Future" with GO TO 2040
Have your say in a new "Invent the Future" phase of CMAP's GO TO 2040 comprehensive regional planning campaign.  In workshops, on the web (www.goto2040.org), and at public kiosks throughout the summer -- all timed to coincide with the Burnham centennial -- residents and stakeholder groups can create and compare their own future scenarios.  Click here for more information and to get involved!