Posted on May 27, 2011 1:07 PM
May 27, 2011
Table of Contents
First Off...
LTA in the news. The Riverside-Brookfield Landmark wrote about the Village of Riverside’s effort to create a plan for economic development. The Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant also wrote about assistance they are providing to develop a water plan for the Village of Lake Zurich with CMAP, the Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC), and the Center for Neighborhood Technology. Finally, the Village of Park Forest wrote about the sustainability plan they are currently developing. CMAP is providing assistance on each of these projects through the new Local Technical Assistance program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. In related news, Mid-America Regional Council executive director David Warm wrote an article for Citiwire.net about how regions across the country can benefit from comprehensive planning investment through the federal Sustainable Communities Initiative.
2010 Census demographic data released. On Thursday, the U.S. Census Bureau released more new Census data for Illinois, including demographics for Total Households, Total Occupied Housing Units, Homeowner and Rental Vacancy Rates, and more. See our 2010 Census page for CMAP analysis.
Other News and Announcements
County Green. The College of Lake County's May 24 County Green explored what the GO TO 2040 plan means to communities in that part of the region, and how they can participate in its implementation. Thanks to college president Jerry Weber and staff members Stephen Bell and Dara Reiff for pulling off such a wonderful event. Read more about County Green and my keynote address in the Lake County News-Sun and Patch.com. See a video posted by Lake County, featuring remarks by county board chairman David Stolman.
Sustainability plans that work. CMAP and the ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability Midwest Regional Office invite you to an interactive training on June 24 exclusively for local government professionals on developing robust, data-driven, and outcome-oriented municipal sustainability plans. Register now. The event is from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at CMAP offices (233 S. Wacker Drive, Chicago). The event is free for ICLEI members and $50 for all others. For more information, contact Meagan Chuckran (meagan.chuckran@iclei.org or 312-377-6675).
Media tip sheet. On Tuesday, CMAP issued its latest media tip sheet, with information on impacts of the federal budget deal on Illinois transportation projects, GO TO 2040 capital project blog posts on our Policy Updates blog, an upcoming Water 2050 forum, locomotive retrofits that yield better air quality, on-time performance analysis of local transit, and more.
Preparing for Climate Change. A front page story this week in the New York Times profiled Chicago’s leadership in addressing climate change through urban planning. The City has embraced green rooftops and uses permeable pavements and native landscaping to save water on streets and walkways -- techniques that are noteworthy for other communities as they update roads, alleys, sewers, and other local infrastructure.
Connect your community to the outdoors. Through August 1, the National Park Service’s Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance program is accepting applications to provide communities with technical assistance for natural resource conservation and outdoor recreation initiatives such as conserving waterways, preserving open space, and developing trails and greenways.
Healthy Eating Conference. On June 8 and 9, 2011, Northwestern University will host the Eat Well, Live Well, Let’s Move! conference. Attendees and panelists will explore obesity, nutrition, and physical activity in America.
CMAP Blogs
Policy Updates. CMAP's policy blog highlighted a new federal initiative to fund regional industry clusters, as well as a New Urban Network series exploring how generational forces are shaping the housing industry. We also include an update on the status of federal transportation reauthorization and potential outcomes we could see over the next few months.
Green Signals. CMAP’s transportation operations blog described the upcoming Implementation of Public Transit Intelligent Transportation Systems webinar, which will examine real world examples and lessons learned.
Soles and Spokes. CMAP’s bike-ped planning blog highlighted a free APBP webinar on the National Association of City Transportation Officials’ (NACTO) Urban Bikeway Design Guide (which we blogged about in March). We also alerted readers to a new funding opportunity, the Community Transformation Grants program, administered by the CDC to support a broad range of projects and initiatives to improve public health.
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
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
Register on-line
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
RSVP
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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