Posted on May 20, 2011 4:17 PM
May 20, 2011
Table of Contents
First Off...
Legislative Successes. Two significant bills that were supported by CMAP have been passed this week by both houses of the General Assembly. First, with nearly 27 percent of Illinois jobs tied to freight transportation, the Freight Mobility Plan Act (House Bill 1761, sponsored by Rep. Elaine Nekritz, and Sen. A.J. Wilhelmi) will support freight system planning by assessing the state's current system. After thatassessment, a plan will be created to improve the flow of road, rail, water and air freight. Click here for a related press release by Metropolis Strategies. Second, the Public-Private Partnerships for Transportation Act (House Bill 1091, sponsored by Rep. Elaine Nekritz and Sen. Heather Steans)will give Illinois the authority to enter into public-private agreements for transportation investments. Authorizing public-private partnerships will allow Illinois to seek new sources of investment capital and more efficiently deliver infrastructure improvements, enhancing our transportation system to better serve the needs of residents and businesses. Click here for the fact sheet from the Metropolitan Planning Council. Both bills await Governor Pat Quinn’s action.
Chicago Model City and GO TO 2040. A new section in the Chicago Architecture Foundation's Chicago Model City exhibition explores the goals of GO TO 2040, highlights its recommendations, and considers popular and critical response to the plan. The six panels devoted to GO TO 2040 comprise a component of the exhibition surrounding CAF’s popular model of downtown Chicago.
Upcoming water resource forum. On June 9, CMAP will host a Water 2050 forum, “Sustaining the Triple Bottom Line: The Full Value of Water Resources,” from 9:00 a.m. to noon in partnership with the Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant and sponsored by the University of Chicago Program on Global Environment and the Environment, Agriculture, and Food Working Group. This free forum is open to the public. It will provide information to policymakers, sustainability managers and officers, and others on how resource impacts can be measured, valued, and incorporated into decision-making. Speakers will address valuing sustainability initiatives, water certification, water impact indexing, and related topics. RSVP to Jamie Krell (jkrell@cmap.illinois.gov or (312) 386-8658).
Other News and Announcements
Tri-state study. The Chicago Tribune had a story Wednesday about the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) economic analysis now in progress, with support from the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, CMAP, and others. As we had described in a recent Policy Update blog post, the OECD is evaluating factors that determine the economic vitality of a broad "mega-region" that includes northwestern Indiana and southeastern Wisconsin, in addition to northeastern Illinois.
LTA in the news. TribLocal has a story about the City of Joliet's economic and community development project to repurpose the Joliet Correctional Center. This project is in the first wave of activities receiving CMAP staff help through the new Local Technical Assistance program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Development.
Chicago's new administration. As Mayor Emanuel begins his tenure, a Daily Herald editorial suggested that his administration reach out to suburban leaders through groups like the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, Metropolis Strategies, and CMAP. Also, GO TO 2040 came up in a Trib interview with new CTA President Forrest Claypool, who was asked about the need for new funding sources to support transit.
Transportation improvement tools. A new report by Transportation for America, the Reason Foundation, and Taxpayers for Common Sense offers seven innovative solutions to improve transportation. "The Most for Our Money: Taxpayer Friendly Solutions for the Nation's Transportation Challenges" highlights how CMAP used scenario planning to help formulate GO TO 2040.
2010 Census trends. A USA Today article examines how demographers and urban planners are digging deeper into 2010 Census data trend of African-Americans moving out of some big cities.
CMAP Blogs
Soles and Spokes. CMAP’s bike-ped planning blog highlighted a Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC) webinar on how to collect and analyze data as part of a pedestrian safety action plan, as well as the first in a two-part webinar on complete streets (part of Easter Seals’ 2011 Selected Topics on Accessible Transportation series). We also blogged about the national Roll Model campaign to promote safe cycling among children and youth by reminding adults to set positive examples.
Policy Updates. New posts describe a recent study by Marist College on service and government consolidation, as well as a survey of U.S. mayors that shows major support for increasing funding to metropolitan areas.
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. We've also uploaded a slideshow from the 2010-11 FLIP Final Presentation.
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
County Green
May 24, 2011
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
College of Lake County: 19351 W. Washington Street, Grayslake
Registration
Women's Transportation Seminar luncheon
May 25, 2011
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Petterino's: 150 N. Dearborn, Chicago
Registration
Bike the Drive
May 29, 2011
Lake Shore Drive
Hosted by MB Financial Bank
Save $5 on registration with coupon code CMAP5
Deconstruction and Reuse Webinar
May 31, 2011
10:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Hosted by CMAP and the Delta Institute
RSVP
"Leave No Child Inside" Month
June 2011
Various dates and locations
Hosted by Chicago Wilderness partners
More information
Transport Chicago
June 3, 2011
211 East Chicago Ave, Chicago
Early registration through May 23
Grant Writing Workshop
June 13 and 14, 2011
Hosted by Cook County Sheriff's Police Headquarters
1401 Maybrook Drive, Maywood
More information
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