Municipal directory.  CMAP's updated directory of municipal officials is now available.  While a lot of staff effort went into this update, we're only human, so please email Sherry Kane (skane@cmap.illinois.gov) if you spot a discrepancy.  We will be mailing copies shortly to the municipalities, and you can let Sherry know if you want one.

Fox River Grove designs.  As part of our recent Community Design Workshops project, CMAP collaborated with the Village of Fox River Grove and Conservation Design Forum to develop renderings of how the community could look by 2040 depending on the type of future regional growth scenario that is pursued.  I would like to commend Village President Robert Nunamaker, who is moving forward quickly to implement design elements of our "Innovate" scenario.  That is exactly the type of leadership our region's communities need.  Read more about it in the Tribune.

Smart growth in Maryland.  In contrast, the Washington Post has a story (hat tip to Paul O'Connor of the Burnham Centennial) about the obstacles that a state-imposed growth policy has largely failed to overcome in Maryland since it was enacted ten years ago.  It's a cautionary tale about how good intentions are never enough.  I believe our region is much better-positioned to succeed because its local officials are closely involved in helping to shape the GO TO 2040 regional plan.  That's going to make a big difference when its implementation begins one year from now.

BNSF.  Here's an interesting perspective in the Wall Street Journal on factors that may have influenced the purchase of the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe railway by Warren Buffet, and how it may relate to efforts in Congress to change how the rail industry is regulated.

CMAP Photo Contest.  This week we launched the 2009 Images of Northeastern Illinois Photo Contest which runs through November. We’re asking residents of Cook, DuPage, Will, Kane, McHenry, Lake, and Kendall counties to pull out their cameras and capture what they value about the region.  Two winners (a First Prize and runner-up) will be selected in each of the following categories, along with one overall contest winner and runner-up: Diversity, Community Vitality, Natural Environment, Architecture/Urban Design, and Transportation. More details and full contest rules are posted online at http://www.goto2040.org/photocontest. Please contact Lindsay Banks 312-386-8826 with questions, or email photo@cmap.illinois.gov.

Burnham film.  To arrange a public screening of "Make No Little Plans:  Daniel Burnham and the American City," please contact Judith McBrien of the Archimedia Workshop (312-212-1492 or judith@thearchimediaworkshop.org).  The very insightful documentary debuted this past summer as part of the Burnham Centennial, and I would encourage any organization to take advantage of the opportunity to show it.  We look forward to working with the Workshop over the next year and beyond to help ensure that our stakeholders have the chance to see the film.

Recovery blog. Want to see where the stimulus money is going and how it’s being put to use?  Recipients of stimulus funds are required to report how the money is being used and how many jobs are being created or saved quarterly, and the first batch of reports are online.  Also, the U.S. Department of Transportation created a new GIS map to display where projects are being funded and the details online. Looking forward to next week’s Economic Recovery Update?  In respect for Veteran’s Day, the newsletter will be sent out next Thursday, instead of Wednesday.

Energy solutions conference.  The Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA) is hosting over 300 energy leaders in Chicago for "Opportunity Now!", the annual Midwest Energy Solutions Conference from January 13 to 15, 2010. It will explore the policies and programs currently spreading across the region and how energy efficiency is transforming the built environment, saving money, and generating jobs in the Midwest. The early bird registration deadline is November 20, 2009. Visit www.meeaconference.org for details.

In the GO TO 2040 blog.  We feature a muddy photo from a rainy Friday night football game in Aurora. A member of our Citizens’ Advisory Committee (CAC), Robert Munson, blogged in the first of a series of guest posts. And CMAP’s Erin Aleman reflected on the process of developing FLIP for area high school students.

Learning how to reduce waste. Elementary schools in Oak Park, Naperville and Villa Park are helping teach students about the value of composting food scraps, reducing waste and other "zero-waste" initiatives.

A greener Willis Tower. There's a new project to green the Willis Tower to improve energy efficiency. The project is led by Sara Beardsley of the architectural firm Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill. The group was first approached to design a new green hotel beside the tower, but has turned its focus to the much bigger task of improving the environmental impact of the Willis Tower. Beardsley will host her final presentation on the project at the University of Illinois at Chicago's Energy Symposium from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. November 10 at the Event Center of the UIC Forum. The presentation is free and open to the public. Those wishing to attend are asked to RSVP on the UIC Liautaud Graduate School of Business's website.

Green spotlight.  Showcase your community! Inspire your peers! If you are using best practices in energy efficiency, stormwater management, green buildings, waste, or other environmental initiatives, please consider sharing your experiences and practical advice. We will highlight your community or forest preserve, park, or conservation district on our upcoming web page “Spotlight on Green Communities,” featuring a different local government each month.  To participate, contact Lori Heringa (312-386-8621 or lheringa@cmap.illinois.gov).

Green infrastructure workshop.  "Creating a Sustainable Future Using Green Infrastructure" will be held December 1 to 3 at Northern Illinois University in Hoffman Estates to explain how healthy ecosystems contribute to economic vitality and quality of life, teach how to apply green infrastructure techniques such as restoration, conservation easements, green space buffers, and provide ways to use green infrastructure principles in land use planning and project prioritization. The workshop is aimed at local elected and appointed officials, municipal and county planners, ecosystem partnerships, townships, park districts, landscape architects, engineers, and others interested in a sustainable future for the Chicago Wilderness region. Please contact Lauren Plescia, Chicago Wilderness, at lauren.plescia@chicagowilderness.org or 312-742-4907 before November 20 for registration, which costs $25. Course enrollment will be limited to 50 participants. Limit two representatives per organization.  The workshop is sponsored by the Conservation Fund, Chicago Wilderness, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Exelon.

John Marshall event.  In commemoration of the Burnham Plan Centennial, the Center for Real Estate Law at the John Marshall Law School will present "Water as a Resource: Impact on Real Estate Ownership, Development and Land Use Policy."  This Kratovil Conference on Real Estate Law and Practice will be held on Friday, November 20, from 1:15 to 5:30 p.m. at 315 S. Plymouth.  Professors from law, engineering and economics will join with attorneys and industry professionals to explore the relationship between water scarcity and ownership of real estate in regions other than the western U.S.  The conference is open to the public, and CLE credits are available. See www.jmls.edu/kratovil-reg for registration, which costs $100.  For more information, see www.jmls.edu/kratovil or call 312-386-2834.  For details of other Burnham Plan Centennial Programs at The John Marshall Law School, visit www.jmls.edu/burnham.