First Off...

PPPs to support freight cluster. A CMAP press release highlights the need for strategic public-private partnerships (PPPs) for infrastructure, innovation, and workforce in support of the growing freight industry cluster that affects more than a quarter of all jobs in our region. Findings on infrastructure from our new freight "drill-down" report are highlighted at our Policy Updates blog. Read more at the Chicago Sun-Times. I also wrote about the freight report in reference to the greater need for collaboration across the tri-state region for the Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) Connector blog in support of their upcoming annual luncheon, The Cities That Work.

EI2 rebates. Energy Impact Illinois (EI2) now has rebates to offer for a limited time. Single family homeowners can apply for up to $1,750 in rebates for qualifying energy efficiency measures. For more information about the rebate, please call 855-9-IMPACT or visit the website at energyimpactillinois.org. If you would like staff to present to your community about the new rebates, please contact Emily Plagman at eplagman@cmap.illinois.gov.

MAP-21. In case you missed it, we provided further of analysis of MAP-21, the new federal transportation legislation, in comparison to CMAP's five transportation reauthorization principles on our Policy Updates blog.

Modernize and maintain. GO TO 2040 strongly emphasizes modernization and maintenance of our existing transportation system. As described in the Chicago Tribune, several significant efforts were announced. Metra will retrofit older cars with amenities for riders, while the Metra Electric Line will be modernized with new rail cars assembled at a plant that opened this week near DeKalb. And the Chicago Transit Authority will devote $205 million to upgrade its facilities for maintaining bus and rail equipment.

Policy Updates. The proposed 2012 Farm Bill, which passed the U.S. Senate in late June, addresses some of the livability issues from the GO TO 2040 section on promoting sustainable local food, and understanding the policies set forth in the bill will help link federal goals to local actions.

Other News and Announcements

LTA in the news. The Northwest Herald covered the development of a downtown plan for the Village of Algonquin, funded by a Community Planning Program grant through CMAP's Local Technical Assistance (LTA) program. The Bugle, Herald-News, and Patch described the development of a transportation plan for Plainfield, also funded through a Community Planning Program grant. In another LTA-sponsored project, Downers Grove is developing a bicycle and pedestrian plan, gathering residents' input through an on-line survey through August 3. Read more at My Suburban Life. GlobeSt.com also wrote about the final Technical Assistance Panel report from CMAP and Urban Land Institute Chicago's work with the City of Joliet for redevelopment of its correctional center.

Decoding property taxes. Evanston Now wrote about the first in our two-part interactive series of issue briefs, Decoding Property Taxes and Classification.

CMAP media tip sheet. Our latest tip sheet includes information on a planning award to CMAP, a new interactive series on property tax assessment and classification, Policy Updates analyzing the regional implications of MAP-21, and more.

IL 53 extension and Illiana. The Chicago Tribune wrote about the proposed Central Lake County Corridor, which is currently under review by the Illinois Tollway. The Tribune also wrote about a new report analyzing the potential impacts of three possible routes for the proposed Illiana Expressway.

Illinois Innovation Index. The latest monthly Illinois Innovation Index e-newsletter examines the use of online job postings to track metropolitan Chicago's labor supply and demand. Read more in Crain's Chicago Business and the Tribune.

2013 APA Conference Call for Local Sessions. As part of the American Planning Association's (APA) National Planning Conference to be held in Chicago from April 13-17, 2013, the Local Sessions Committee has the opportunity to present eight sessions highlighting planning and development in the Chicago region. Interested parties can share their expertise, perspective, and experience by responding to a Call for Presentations. Applications are due August 3, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. (CT) and must be submitted through APA’s website at www.planning.org/conference/proposals.htm.

States' fiscal woes. A new report by the State Budget Crisis Task Force asserts that, due to structural fiscal issues, states are likely to struggle long after the economy rebounds. Read more in the New York Times.

Chicago Cultural Plan. The draft Chicago Cultural Plan is now available for review. Residents can read the plan and submit comments on-line or attend a series of July public meetings throughout the city.

Cook County draft plans. Cook County is soliciting public comments on a draft 2012 Annual Action Plan. A draft report analyzing impediments to fair housing choice is also available on-line. Both plans cover suburban Cook County. Written comments for both draft plans should be direct to Sylvia Parham, Grants Manager of the Cook County Bureau of Economic Development (69 W. Washington, Suite 2900, Chicago, or sylvia.parham@cookcountyil.gov).

CMAP Blogs

Soles and Spokes. CMAP’s bicycle and pedestrian planning blog highlighted a Federal Highway Administration report on the Nonmotorized Transportation Pilot Program that used four communities to demonstrate the viability of bicycling and walking as transportation. We also featured a recent report by the American Association of People with Disabilities reviewing the ways in which transportation systems can impact people with disabilities.

Reminders

LTA 2012 call for projects. Applications are due by August 1, 2012, for the second call for projects through the GO TO 2040 Local Technical Assistance (LTA) program. Staff resources and grants are available for community-based projects. Municipalities, counties, multijurisdictional groups, or nongovernmental organizations (in partnership with local government) are encouraged to apply for CMAP staff assistance. 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.

Municipal survey DUE TODAY. Responses to CMAP's 2012 Municipal Plans, Programs, and Operations Survey are due today, July 20. This survey is designed for municipal governments in the seven-county region and enables CMAP to track the progress of GO TO 2040 implementation. Findings of the 2010 survey are available on our Policy Updates blog (parts one and two).

Soles and Spokes workshop. On August 24, CMAP will host a Soles and Spokes workshop “Designing for Bicycle Safety,” which will provide an overview of bikeway design and the new AASHTO Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities. To support the event, we are seeking outstanding bicycle and pedestrian projects and plans to include in our Case Studies Library. One or more of the accepted case studies may be invited to present at the workshop. Please submit bicycle and pedestrian project case studies by July 20 to be considered for presentation, and more information on the workshop will be available in coming weeks.

Metra strategic plan. Metra is developing a new strategic plan and is seeking input. Individuals can complete a short on-line survey or attend one of many public meetings throughout the region in July. Read about this week's meeting in Evanston at Patch.

FLIP applications. Applications are now available for our Future Leaders in Planning (FLIP) program. Through the program, high school students from throughout the region meet one Saturday per month to learn about the issues that shape our region’s economy and quality of life. 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).

Placemaking contest. MPC is holding its fourth annual Placemaking contest. This year's contest, "Space in Between," will recognize the most creative and interactive temporary uses of vacant space in metropolitan Chicago, northwest Indiana, and southeastern Wisconsin. Submissions are due by August 31, 2012. To learn more, watch this video.

Events

Metropolitan Planning Council annual luncheon
July 25, 2012
Noon to 2:00 p.m.
Hyatt Regency Chicago: 151 E. Wacker Drive, Chicago
More information

Niles planning meeting
July 25, 2012
7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Niles Senior Center: 999 Civic Center Drive, Niles
Hosted by the Village of Niles and CMAP
More information

ULI Chicago TAP Community Reception
August 1, 2012
6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Parkwood Elementary School
2150 Laurel Avenue
Hanover Park, IL 60133 (Map)
More information

Alsip planning meeting
August 1, 2012
7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Alsip Village Hall: 4500 W. 123rd Street
Hosted by the Village of Alsip and CMAP
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Round Lake Heights planning meeting
August 7, 2012
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Round Lake Middle School: 2000 Lotus Drive, Round Lake Heights
Hosted by the Village of Round Lake Heights and CMAP
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Designing for Bicycle Safety Soles and Spokes workshop
August 24, 2012
CMAP: 233 S. Wacker Drive, Suite 800, Chicago
Hosted by CMAP
More information