CMAP meetings recap.  The Board had a brief meeting this week. Actions included adopting the Northeastern Illinois Regional Greenways and Trails Plan (further detail provided in the next item) and approving the Transportation Consent agenda. The full Board joined the Executive Committee to review and discuss the “preferred Regional Scenario,” one of the interim deliverables of GO TO 2040, scheduled for endorsement by the Board and the MPO Policy Committee at their January meeting. Through the remainder of the fall, CMAP’s working committees and stakeholders will be asked to review and further refine the draft report. The next Board meeting is scheduled for November 18, 2009. Please note that this is the third Wednesday in the month, due to the holiday conflict with the regularly scheduled date.

Greenways and Trails.  At its meeting, the CMAP Board officially adopted the Northeastern Illinois Regional Greenways and Trails Plan -- 2009 Update. The plan sets forth a long-range vision for an interconnected network of greenway and trail corridors providing environmental, recreation, and transportation benefits for the region. The plan and map can be found at http://www.cmap.illinois.gov/greenwaysandtrails.aspx. If you have questions or comments, please contact Lori Heringa (lheringa@cmap.illinois.org or 312-386-8621) or Tom Murtha (tmurtha@cmap.illinois.org or 312-386-8790).  I'd like to thank all our partners for participating in and contributing to the development of this plan.

Recycling grants.  The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) has announced that the Illinois Recycling Grants Program has opened its FY2010 grant cycle for both traditional (i.e., fiber, metal, glass, plastic) and electronics (e.g., computers) recycling. Applications must be received in DCEO's Springfield Office by November 13, 2009.  Copies of the grant Request for Applications (RFA) documents may be downloaded at www.illinoisrecycles.com.

Living near transit.  Amid news this week of continuing foreclosure problems here and across the U.S., REMAX realtors issued analysis of how proximity to Metra stations affects home values.  This meshes with feedback from the public through GO TO 2040, as we've heard clearly that residents want more access to transit and other transportation options.  It also demonstrates how housing costs can be a barrier to transit access for some.

I-355.  The Daily Herald this week had a story with quotes from CMAP's Don Kopec about economic impacts of the I-355 extension. 

Two talks.  This year's IDOT fall planning conference wraps up today.  Yesterday, I gave a keynote talk about how lessons learned from the Olympic bid can be applied to the big challenges that still remain for our region.  Also yesterday, I spoke to the Traffic Club of Chicago about what the GO TO 2040 plan and infrastructure improvements like CREATE can mean for the Southland.

WTTW clip.  In case you missed it, here is the Channel 11 feature in which I was interviewed by reporter Eddie Aruzza about the proposed Illiana Expressway.  The segment was part of the Chicago Matters: Beyond Burnham series.  Launched by The Chicago Community Trust in 1990 to spark discussion and understanding on matters of vital interest to Chicago-area communities, Chicago Matters is the nation's longest-running multimedia public affairs series.

Recovery blog.  Be sure to visit our regularly updated Recovery blog. This week’s posts include the latest CMAP Economic Recovery Update, information about transportation funding from the stimulus, and Mercy Housing’s annual reception, which is commending regional collaboration over the stimulus.

Infrastructure event.  On Thursday, November 5, 2009, Archeworks and the U.S. Green Building Council are co-hosting “Infrastructures for Change," a one-day workshop that explores key principles underpinning alternative and sustainable cities of the future. The workshop will bring together design practitioners and theorists, engineers, environmental scientists and ecologists, policy makers, and public health specialists, with the goal of increasing our knowledge of alternative infrastructure solutions to improve the livability and sustainability of the American City. Dr. Eric Sanderson, founder and director of the Mannahatta Project, will be the keynote speaker. Registration is$45, with a deadline of October 31. To register on-line, visit http://www.archeworks.org/workshop/register.html.

HSR event.  The newly formed U.S. High Speed Rail Association will hold the High Speed Rail 2009 conference October 22-23 in Washington, DC.  Leading experts will convene to describe efforts to "reinvent the American economy through High Speed Rail," according to the conference website.