Springfield hearing on proposed capital program.  Yesterday, I testified in Springfield at a hearing of the House Public Safety Appropriations Committee on the proposed capital program.  A number of organizations and transportation providers also gave testimony -- in fact, the speakers far outnumbered the committee members in attendance.  This is an extremely frustrating situation in which there is such a broad consensus on the need to act and virtually none on how to resolve the stalemate.  CMAP's message is that the transportation system needs to be viewed as a whole, and that the capital program must also put mass transit back on stable footing after years of under funding.  You can read my testimony here.

Transit crisis.  CMAP Board chairman Gerald Bennett and I were among 19 co-signers of an October 9 letter to members of the Illinois General Assembly calling for them to pass SB 572 as a sustainable solution to the current transit crisis.  Signers come from a broad array of organizations, including Chicago Metropolis 2020, the Metropolitan Planning Council, the Congress for New Urbanism, the Openlands Project, Jane Addams Hull House, and others.  The letter says, "Failure to support the region’s transit system with operating and capital dollars plus needed reforms will cost the regional economy more than $2 billion per year.  We can’t afford that." 

Congressional staffers meeting.  Senator Durbin's office convened the staff of Illinois' congressional delegation last Wednesday at CMAP to discuss water issues that cut across the state's congressional districts.  CMAP staff gave an overview of water supply and water quality issues and CMAP's role in promoting best practices that help communities be good stewards of their natural resources.  The meeting was at least partly inspired by the recent controversy over BP's intention -- since withdrawn -- to increase discharges into Lake Michigan from their refinery in Whiting, Indiana.  Sen. Durbin and other leaders had been stunned by a regulatory process that would have permitted such an increase, and CMAP has since been working with his office to help build a better understanding of that process in hopes of avoiding future outcomes that could harm water supplies.

Lipinski Symposium.  Last Monday's Metropolitan Planning Council symposium on transportation policy was energizing.  As part of the day's final session, my fellow panelists and I had an uphill struggle in getting attendees to focus on the future, because today's situation is so dire.  But the current woes have resulted from short-sightedness, and the only real solution is to insist on a long-term approach.  For better or worse, the decisions being made today will determine how well the region works in coming decades.  Full video and audio of the event will be posted soon on the MPC web, where a number of speakers' presentations are already available. 

Kendall Growth Conference.  On Friday, October 26, 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the Conservation Foundation will host an event titled "What Happens When the Wells Run Dry?"  This seventh annual conference will be at Trinity Methodist Church, 2505 Boomer Lane, Yorkville.  I'll be among the speakers and will describe CMAP's regional water-supply planning activities.  Visit the conference website for details.

Supply Chain Infrastructure forum.  On November 20, 2007, CMAP will be part of a coalition of private, public, academic and non-profit organizations co-hosting a half-day forum focused on enhancing our region's competitive advantage by maximizing the region’s supply chain and logistical assets. The theme is "Innovative Public/Private Financing for Supply Chain Infrastructure." Session topics include What Interests Banks and Financial Organizations in Transportation, U.S. and International Public/ Private Partnership Projects, Data Infrastructure for Supply Chains, and the Role of Private Financing in Freight Rail and Intermodal. Click here for more information.

CMAP technical assistance brochure.   Our technical assistance group has developed a new brochure summarizing current and planned CMAP programs of technical assistance to communities.  This will be a living document that is revised as we continue to add and adjust capabilities.  We've heard loud and clear that municipalities and other partners value these activities and want to see more of them.  So the new brochure is a good step toward increasing awareness of what CMAP has to offer.

Sustainable Cities Symposium.  The State of Illinois Green Government Coordinating Council presents the 2nd Annual Sustainable Cities Symposium on Friday, October 26 from 9:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with registration beginning at 9:00 a.m.  It's hosted by the City of Elgin at the Centre of Elgin, 100 Symphony Way, Elgin, 60120.  Speakers will describe how to make your community more sustainable by implementing a variety of green practices. Topics include sustainable planning, green building practices, energy management, sustainable transportation, waste management and water conservation. This is an opportunity to exchange ideas with other cities throughout Illinois and integrate green practices into your community.  See http://GreenSolutions.il.gov for more information and to register.