Posted on June 03, 2011 3:13 PM
June 3, 2011
Table of Contents
First Off...
CMAP meetings. The CMAP Board will meet at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 8, 2011. At 8:00 a.m. that morning, the Local Coordinating Committee will meet. And on Thursday, June 9, the MPO Policy Committee will meet in our offices. All materials can be found by clicking on the respective links.
Energy Impact Illinois. To improve the energy efficiency of residential, commercial, and industrial properties, EnergyImpactIllinois.org launched this week as an information hub for residents of the Chicago region and Rockford. Visitors to the site will find resources to facilitate building improvements for homes or businesses, saving energy and money while reducing the region's carbon footprint. The hub is an initiative of Energy Impact Illinois, an alliance of CMAP, utility companies, government agencies, and citizen advocacy groups working together to create a long-term market for improving the energy efficiency of the region's buildings. By pooling resources, the alliance will provide easy access to tools and information for people to take actionable energy efficiency steps for their home, property or business; mechanisms to link investors and funding resources with energy efficiency efforts; and growth of the region's green job market. The effort is made possible through a $25 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) BetterBuildings Initiative.
Other News and Announcements
Tech City.John Tolva, Chicago’s new chief technology officer, discussed his vision for a digital city that residents and businesses can navigate for information such as city services or transit options to build on Chicago’s “Digital Excellence Plan” in the Chicago Sun-Times last weekend. The article also quotes CMAP's Greg Sanders regarding MetroPulse, as a leading example of making a wide range of data more accessible to the public.
Scenario planning. In its Weekly Transportation Report, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) highlighted GO TO 2040 transportation scenario planning.
Big Thirst. Syndicated columnist Kathleen Parker wrote a timely piece in the Chicago Tribune about the increasing scarcity of water, as described in a new book, The Big Thirst: The Secret Life and Turbulent Future of Water, by Charles Fishman. Our region's Water 2050 plan and GO TO 2040 comprehensive plan place strong emphasis on conserving water, which is vitally important to the health of our residents and economy.
I-90 Corridor Planning Council. The Illinois Tollway is partnering with the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) to form the I-90 Corridor Planning Council. As a council member, CMAP will work with other organizations to study the feasibility of creating an express bus system along the Tollway section of I-90 and other congestion reduction measures.
Health in All Policies Symposium. On June 28, the Illinois Public Health Institute and other partners will host a discussion exploring a new policy paradigm for solving today’s critical health issues. As one of the speakers, I will describe the positive health impacts of livability recommendations in GO TO 2040. The event costs $10 and will be held at CMAP offices (233 South Wacker Drive, Suite 800, Chicago) from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Register by June 21.
Energy Efficiency Incentives Webinar. On June 7, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) will hold a webinar about newly announced program guidelines for electric and gas energy efficiency incentives through its Illinois Energy Now program. These incentives are available to local governments, public schools, community colleges, public universities, and state and federal government facilities in the Ameren Illinois, ComEd, Nicor, Peoples, and North Shore utility service areas. Register for the webinar, to be held from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m.
Pedestrian Safety and Planning. The Chicago Pedestrian Plan and its partners will host a series of summer meetings to discuss how to make the City more walkable. Also, Transportation for America released a new report "Dangerous by Design" on the need for pedestrian safety and its impact on residents’ health, the economy, and the environment.
CMAP Blogs
Green Signals.CMAP's transportation operations blog informed readers of the National ITS (Intelligent Transportation Systems) Architecture User Survey. Survey responses will be used for possible new or enhanced features for the update of the National ITS Architecture.
Soles and Spokes. CMAP’s bike-ped planning blog highlighted the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center’s announcement of 11 inaugural Walk Friendly Communities -- a national recognition program designed to encourage safe, walkable communities.
Reminders
Community Planning Program.On April 6, 2011, CMAP, in collaboration with the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), launched the 2012 Community Planning Program. This competitive grant program will provide funding for northeastern Illinois municipalities to participate in projects linking land use and transportation. This partnership between the two agencies will provide additional funding to an expanded base of eligible applicants and projects, as well as facilitate inter-agency coordination. The application deadline is 3:00 p.m. CST on June 9, 2011.
Apply for FLIP. The 2011-2012 FLIP (Future Leaders in Planning) application is now 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.
Case study library. CMAP is building a searchable web database of completed local projects that reflect recommendations of the GO TO 2040 plan. If you know of an exemplary project that should be included, please contact Lindsay Banks (lbanks@cmap.illinois.gov or 312-386-8826).
Events
"Leave No Child Inside" Month
June 2011
Various dates and locations
Hosted by Chicago Wilderness partners
More information
Eat Well, Live Well, Let's Move! National Conference
June 8 and 9, 2011
251 East Huron Street, Chicago
Hosted by Northwestern University
More information
Sustaining the Triple Bottom Line: The Full Value of Water Resources
June 9, 2011
9:00 a.m. to noon
233 South Wacker Drive, Suite 800
Hosted by CMAP and Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant
More information
Grant Writing Workshop
June 13 and 14, 2011
1401 Maybrook Drive, Maywood
Hosted by Cook County Sheriff's Police Headquarters
More information
Sustainability Plans That Work
June 24, 2011
233 South Wacker Drive, Suite 800, Chicago
Hosted by ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability, CMAP, Metropolitan Mayors Caucus
More information
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