Randy Blankenhorn

CMAP Board Meetings. Due to scheduling conflicts, the November Board meeting is cancelled. The Board will meet on its regularly scheduled date on December 10, 2008. Additionally, the Programming Coordinating Committee will meet on December 10 and the Planning Coordinating Committee will meet next on January 14, 2009.

Global cities list. Chicago is on a new list of the top 10 global cities, published by Foreign Policy magazine. In looking at 60 cities across the world, the study picked Chicago eighth, citing its strength in "human capital," among five factors considered. The others are business activity, information exchange, cultural experience, and political engagement. New York tops the list, followed by London, Paris, and Tokyo.

Crain's on 2016 Olympics. Greg Hinz of Crain's Chicago Business wrote about some of the challenges and opportunities for upgrading our transportation system in preparation for what we hope will be a successful bid to host the 2016 Olympics.

Technical Assistance Providers Directory. CMAP has launched a directory of technical assistance resources for local communities in the region provided by CMAP and its partners. The directory is organized by area of technical assistance provided (for example, community visioning, station area and transit oriented development, business attraction/retention, etc.), and offers contact information for providers as well as details about specific technical assistance projects (where available). We are eager to expand the directory, and therefore encourage technical assistance providers to submit their information now at http://www.cmap.illinois.gov/TechAssistForm.aspx.

New blog post. CMAP's Stephen Ostrander has a new blog entry about web tools that are being used to increase transparency in government.

GO TO 2040 Community Conversations. See  http://www.goto2040.org/conversations.aspx for an updated list of Community Conversations that CMAP has scheduled for residents to discuss the GO TO 2040 campaign. Next week, we'll have two meetings:

• Downers Grove Public Library (1050 Curtiss St.) on Wednesday, October 29 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome. (Please contact Diana Torres for more information at 312-386-8774 or dtorres@cmap.illinois.gov)
• The Hispanic Heritage Coalition (Elgin City Hall, 150 Dexter Ct.) on Thursday, October 30 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. RSVP is requested. (Please contact Diana Torres for more information at 312-386-8774 or dtorres@cmap.illinois.gov)

Energy policy broadcast. Chicago Public Radio and Chicago Matters: Growing Forward invite you to be a part of a live audience for an hour-long discussion of energy policy to be broadcast live on WBEZ 91.5 FM. Chicago Public Radio's Gabriel Spitzer and Northwest Indiana reporter Michael Puente will discuss Indiana's energy needs with local policy makers, business people and environmentalists. This event is free and open to the public. The site is Purdue University Calumet-Conference Center, 2300 173rd Street, Hammond, IN 46323. There will be a pre-broadcast reception at 5:00 p.m. and attendees should arrive by 5:30 pm to guarantee a seat for the broadcast. RSVP online or call 312-893-2929. Initiated and funded by The Chicago Community Trust, Chicago Matters is an annual exploration -- via television, radio, print and community dialogue -- of an issue of broad concern to the Chicago region.

Green webinar series. The U.S. Green Building Council (USBGC) will be conducting a three-part webinar series, "Greening Your Government" starting at noon on Tuesday, October 28, 2008. Speakers from across the nation will share strategies and success stories in developing green building programs. The charge for the Internet connection for each session is $80 ($60 for USGBC members). Tuesday's session is entitled "Implementing State and Local Green Building Programs." For more information and to register, please see "Greening Your Government" Webinar Series. 

Reminder: Chicago Wilderness event. On Thursday, November 13 Chicago Wilderness Congress 2008 will be held. This is the premier event to highlight the resources, science, and collaborative conservation action of the Chicago Wilderness alliance. Congress 2008 will feature the strategic initiatives of Chicago Wilderness: Green Infrastructure, Leave No Child Inside, Restoration & Management, and Climate Change. Early registration is $25 through October 24. After October 24 and at the door, the fee is $40. The student rate is $20. For more information, visit http://www.chicagowilderness.org/members/documents/CW_Congress_2008.pdf. The event will be held at The Forum, University of Illinois at Chicago.

SPECIAL REMINDER: Don't forget to join CMAP's GO TO 2040 Partners Program! Please complete our simple partnership form. We'll send you a Partnership Kit with materials and a DVD to help you and your organization get involved in the region's first truly comprehensive plan. See our growing list of partners who have made the commitment to planning for a better future.