Table of Contents

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

First Off...

• Overview of Trends in the Senior Population (median age changes by county)
• Overview of Housing Data (analysis of changes in housing units, rented vs. owned homes)
• Changes of Housing Vacancy Rates (comparing 2010 to 2000 data)

Tollway in the news. The Chicago Tribune wrote about the Illinois Tollway's proposed capital plan as a potential conduit for economic development. I am quoted in the article discussing the role transportation plays in driving our regional economy.

VMT report. CMAP has posted a brief paper summarizing and analyzing trends for vehicle miles travelled (VMT) on expressways in metropolitan Chicago.

See Chicago from two wheels. On August 28, tour through Chicago’s historic neighborhoods from the seat of your bike with the Four Star Bike Tour (choose from 12-, 22-, 35-, and 62-mile routes). This event supports the Active Transportation Alliance and is Chicago’s longest-running annual ride. Registration includes an event T-shirt, access to rest/water stops, and entry to the post-ride festival with live entertainment, food, and Goose Island beer. Save $5 on registration with the code CMAP5.

Midwest Clean Tech 2011. On September 14, the Global Midwest Alliance and its partners will host “Midwest Clean Tech 2011” at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. The event will highlight Midwestern excellence in Clean Technology innovation, products and services, connecting innovators with financiers, business management expertise and the international community. Register on-line.

Emerald Ash Borers. The Morton Arboretum and the Illinois Parks and Recreation Association have identified an innovative way to combat the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), an invasive pest that aggressively attacks trees. The team's researchers have confirmed the presence in our region of a wasp that preys on the EAB and is therefore an early indicator of infestation. Read more in a press release.
 

CMAP Blogs

Soles and Spokes. CMAP’s bike-ped planning blog highlighted the national Transportation Enhancements Spending Report, an analysis of all 50 states’ use of federal Transportation Enhancement program funds. Unfortunately, Illinois had the largest unobligated balance and one of the lowest obligation rates. We also reported on a new study from the Mineta Transportation Institute at San Jose State University examining ways to integrate bicycling and transit. We also pointed readers to A Citizen’s Guide to Better Streets: How to Engage your Transportation Agency, a report by the Project for Public Spaces (PPS), which advances the idea that streets should not lonely accommodate all travel modes, but should also serve as gathering places for civic life.

Green Signals. CMAP's Transportation operations blog told readers about an August 31 Summit on Parking being held in Chicago.

Policy Updates. In addition to our Census analysis, we also wrote about the federal gas tax, which is set to expire September 30.
 

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). Applications must be submitted through http://www.grants.gov/ by September 9, 2011. A webcast on the program will be held on August 11.

Tollway capital plan proposed. The Illinois Tollway has proposed a 15-year, $12 billion capital plan for the maintenance, modernization, and expansion of the Tollway system. The Tollway will host a series of public meetings to solicit public feedback from August 18 through 22, 2011. Read about how aspects of the Tollway's proposed plan align with GO TO 2040 priorities on our Policy Updates blog.

GEAR South. The Delta Institute and Mindful Metropolis will hold the Green Economy Road Show (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).

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

Fairmont Planning Kickoff Meeting
August 11, 2011
6:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Meet and greet from 6:00 to 6:30 p.m.
Meeting starts at 6:30 p.m.
Shiloh Baptist Church: 18101 Oak Ave, Lockport, IL
Hosted by Will County  and CMAP
More information

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