Among today's highlights, hearings are underway on the Tollway's proposed capital plan, GO TO 2040 is featured in the Regional and Intergovernmental Planning newsletter, CMAP offers workshops for local planning commissioners, the National League of Cities brings Building Cities, Building Futures to Chicago, and the CMAQ public comment period continues through September 3. Subscribe to receive Weekly Updates by email.
 

Table of Contents

• First Off . . .
• Other News and Announcements
• CMAP Blogs
• Reminders
• Events

First Off...

Tollway Plan.  As public hearings get underway this week on the Tollway's proposed capital plan, CMAP chairman Gerald Bennett provided our Board's statement of support to the Chicago Tribune, Daily Herald, and the Southtown Star.  As that letter states, "Our infrastructure is aging fast and requires more investment.  High levels of traffic congestion create a significant drag on regional productivity, and addressing it through careful, targeted expansion will provide substantial benefits to businesses and residents.  The Illinois Tollway's 15-year capital plan proposal is both a necessary and brave step in the right direction."  The South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association and Lake County Board Chairman also issued support for the Tollway plan, due in part to its emphasis on GO TO 2040 transportation priorities. 
 

Other News and Announcements

Local food and planning.  CMAP planner Amy Talbot’s article “Supporting the Local Food Movement through Regional Planning” is featured in the Summer 2011 Regional and Intergovernmental Planning newsletter.  The article highlights how support for local food systems became one of GO TO 2040's 12 recommendation areas.

LTA public meetings. The Village of Campton Hills will host its second public meeting to solicit public feedback to create its first comprehensive plan on September 26 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at Wasco Elementary School (4N782 School Street, Campton Hills). The Village of Addison hosted their first meeting this week to begin updating their comprehensive plan.  These are among the projects receiving CMAP staff support through our Local Technical Assistance program.

Planning Commissioner Workshops. CMAP offers workshops for local planning commission members to discuss their role in the community, planning processes, the legal basis for planning, and the development of comprehensive plans and zoning ordinances, among other topics. Register on-line for one of these two-day workshops, which will be offered in Geneva (September 17 and October 1), Northlake (September 24 and November 5), and East Hazel Crest (October 8 and November 12). Each workshop takes place on two Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to noon. The $25 fee includes continental breakfast and copies of Now That You're On Board, A Handbook of Planning Law Principles and Practices and Planning 1-2-3.  

National League of Cities event.  CMAP and the Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) are assisting the National League of Cities, which on Tuesday, September 20, at the Ritz-Carlton Chicago will host Building Cities, Building Futures, part of a national tour with a local focus on using sustainable infrastructure as a catalyst for economic competitiveness. This free event from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. will feature keynotes from national thought leaders and industry experts, facilitated discussions, and best practice review, all focused on pressing infrastructure issues.  Space is very limited, so register on-line. 

Cook County town hall.  At 7:15 p.m. on Tuesday, August 23, Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle will host an on-line town hall meeting to discuss the 2012 budget.  Residents can submit questions in advance, including on Twitter (by using the hashtag #TellToni).  Questions can also be submitted during the event at www.cookcountyil.gov/Budget, where live video will be available.

MPC on BRT.  On Wednesday, MPC released "Bus Rapid Transit: Chicago's New Route to Opportunity."  The plan envisions a 10-route BRT network in Chicago that would connect CTA and Metra lines, covering nearly 100 miles.

Urban tree research conference.  On September 12 and 13, 2011, the first Urban Tree Growth International Meeting and Research Symposium will be held at The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, IL.  The meeting will feature presentations on the latest studies in urban tree growth, panels with urban tree researchers from around the world, and collaboration on a comprehensive plan for future research.  Green industry professionals, municipal foresters, college students, professors and fellow researchers are invited to attend.  For questions, email registrar@mortonarb.org or call 630-719-2468.

IPHI conference.  On September 26 to 28, 2011, the Illinois Public Health Institute (IPHI) will host its annual Partners in Action Conference to encourage multi-sectoral, collaborative best practices on health priorities at the state and local level.  Registration is open for the entirely on-line conference.     

Great Lakes Restoration grants awarded.  This week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) awarded more than $2.5 million in Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grants to organizations and agencies in Illinois.  Recipients included the Chicago Park District, the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission, Shedd Aquarium, and the Delta Institute.

Apps contest. After finalists are announced, public voting opens today on the transportation round of Apps for Metropolitan Chicago A4MC. MPC has teamed up with IBM to offer a Placemaking contest within the overall apps contest. A prize will be awarded to the app or apps that best helps users to find, create, sustain and/or share vibrant public places in metropolitan Chicago. On Monday, CMAP released the MetroPulse iPhone app, which allows users to view indicator data about the region’s counties, municipalities, and Chicago community areas. Users can also use the iPhone’s GPS features to locate themselves within a place and find data about that place.
 

CMAP Blogs

Policy Updates.  Four new bills that support innovative financing mechanisms for funding, maintaining, and modernizing the transportation system have been introduced in Congress -- they are related to the two recently proposed reauthorization bills in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate.  We also wrote about pay-as-you-drive insurance to help drivers internalize the real cost of driving.  

Soles and Spokes.  CMAP’s bike-ped planning blog featured the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center’s announcement of the communities honored in the inaugural Walk Friendly Communities (WFC) program.  We also reported on the Village of Palatine’s recent approval of a Bicycle Transportation Plan.  Finally, we highlighted the Bureau of Transportation Statistics research briefs on issues related to non-motorized transportation -- one brief looks at how sidewalks promote walking, and the other examines how bikeway facilities can increase both safety and the number of people cycling.

Green Signals.  CMAP’s transportation operations blog informed readers about the Interagency Agreements for Transportation Operations webinar hosted by the National Transportation Operations Coalition.
 

Reminders

HUD planning grants.  The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced this year’s Community Challenge Planning Grant Program.  The program will award approximately $28.6 million in grants to support local projects, which may include amending or replacing local master plans, zoning codes, and building codes to promote mixed-use development, affordable housing, the reuse of older buildings and structures for new purposes, and similar activities with the goal of promoting sustainability at the local or neighborhood level.  CMAP asks communities that apply to let us know by contacting Stephen Ostrander (sostrander@cmap.illinois.gov or 312-386-8696).  New resources, including an archived webcast and FAQs, are now available on-line.  Applications must be submitted through http://www.grants.gov/ by September 9, 2011.

GEAR South.  The Delta Institute and Mindful Metropolis will hold the Green Economy Roadshow (GEAR) South at Moraine Valley Community College on September 9 and 10.  I will be the keynote speaker Friday morning for this two-day event, which is "designed to connect, transform, and empower green business, government, and lifestyles in different parts of the Great Lakes region."  Mindful Metropolis magazine recently quoted me in a story about transportation alternatives and the upcoming Road Show (on page 9).

CMAQ program public review.  CMAP has released the proposed FY 2012 - FY 2016 Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) program for a 30-day public review and comment period.  CMAP has developed a $400 million five-year program of CMAQ projects that improve air quality, mitigate congestion, and help to implement GO TO 2040.  The proposed program is currently available for public comment through 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 3, 2011.

TIP Amendments.  CMAP is seeking public comment on a conformity amendment to the FFY 2010-2015 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).  Comments are due by September 3, 2011, and can be provided in writing "ATTN: TIP amendments," e-mail, or phone 312-454-0400.  Conformity is an analysis of projects in the TIP to ensure that transportation projects will help the region meet air quality goals.  Review the cover memo and list of project changes at the TIP webpage.

Apply for FLIP.  The 2011-2012 FLIP (Future Leaders in Planning) application is available.  Please share materials with local high school students who would like to learn about planning and contribute to a better future for our region.  Keep up with FLIP at its Facebook page.
 

Events

Berwyn Planning Kickoff Meetings
August 20, 2011
11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Berwyn Public Library: 2701 S. Harlem Avenue, Berwyn
Hosted by the City of Berwyn and CMAP
More information

Green Economy Roadshow (GEAR) South
September 9 to 10, 2011
Moraine Valley Community College: 9000 W. College Parkway, Palos Hills
Hosted by the Delta Institute and Mindful Metropolis
More information

Midwest Clean Tech 2011
September 14, 2011
Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago: 230 S. LaSalle Street, Chicago
Hosted by the Global Midwest Alliance
Registration

Understanding the LEED for Neighborhood Development Rating System
September 19, 2011
Merchandise Mart Conference Center: 350 W. Mart Center, 2nd Floor, Chicago
Hosted by the U.S. Green Buildings Council - Illinois Chapter
Registration

APA-IL Annual Conference
October 5 to 7, 2011
Evanston, IL 
Hosted by the American Planning Association - Illinois Chapter
More information

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