Transit bailout. As everyone knows, another temporary bailout was agreed upon last week, delaying "doomsday" until January. We remain hopeful that a long-term solution can be found. In an interesting related news story, a study by the National Association of Realtors and Smart Growth America shows that Americans prefer to spend more on mass transit and highway maintenance.

IDOT plan. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is updating its statewide transportation policy plan, last updated in 2005, to reflect new federal planning requirements. The new plan, known as the Long Range Plan (LRP), will include 2005 information about trends, uses and concerns confronting transportation in Illinois and will include additional public outreach and analysis of special planning concerns. IDOT is holding five public meetings on the LRP, starting November 13. The Chicago meeting is Friday, November 16, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at IDOT, second floor, 300 W. Adams, Chicago.  See http://www.dot.il.gov/press/r110607.html for dates and locations.

Climate Change summit. The agenda has been posted for CMAP's next Innovation + Integration summit, this one on Creating a Regional Agenda to Address Climate Change. The summit will be held December 11, 2007, at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Click here for the agenda and to register. For more information, call 312.386.8704 or email summit@cmap.illinois.gov.

CAC nominations sought. CMAP is seeking volunteers to serve on its Citizens' Advisory Committee. Prospective volunteers should have a history of civic involvement, be available to attend the monthly CAC meeting and bring a local citizen perspective to regional issues. Volunteers are needed to fill two vacancies in DuPage County, one in Kane County, one in McHenry County, two in south Cook County, one on the south side of Chicago, and one on the north side of Chicago. To apply, residents should use the on-line form or call John Allen at 312-386-8740.

I-355 Veterans Memorial Tollway grand opening. The much anticipated opening of the I-355 South Extension will occur on Sunday, November 11th, 2007. The Grand Opening Celebration will include the dedication of the new roadway and its honorary title of Veterans Memorial Tollway, as well as a bike ride and a 5K run. For more information, see their website.

Mayor Bennett becomes IML president. Congratulations to CMAP Board chairman Gerald Bennett, mayor of Palos Hills, who was elected president of the Illinois Municipal League at the recent IML annual meeting in Chicago. "Jerry Bennett brings long-standing government experience and ability to our board," said IML executive director Larry Frang. IML is a statewide association that represents 1,131 cities and villages across Illinois.

CMAP "Seal the Deal" event. On Friday, November 30, CMAP will host a roundtable called "How to Seal the Deal: The Role of Planners, Municipal Managers and Economic Development Practitioners." The discussion will focus on best practices in planning and economic development. It will highlight successful developments to show how developers, municipal managers, and planners can come together in a team approach. The event is co-hosted by Commonwealth Edison and is geared to municipal managers and economic and community development practitioners. The event will be 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at ComEd Commercial Center, 1919 Swift Dr., Oakbrook. A registration fee of $25 includes lunch. Attendees should RSVP to Brian Rademacher (brademacher@cmap.illinois.gov or 312-386-8668).

"Making Conservation Developments Work." CMAP, the Openlands Project, and Chicago Wilderness will co-sponsor a half-day workshop on Friday, November 30, to show how local officials can work with developers to create better communities. Entitled "Making Conservation Developments Work," the event will describe benefits of conservation developments for landowners, communities, and the environment. It will also feature discussions of governance structures, administrative techniques, and financial capacities that guarantee effective management of conservation areas. Sign-in and continental breakfast begin at 8:30 a.m., with the program lasting from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Hosted at the CMAP offices in Suite 800 of Sears Tower, the workshop is free, but space is limited. Please contact Sherry Legare (312-863-6266 or slegare@openlands.org) to register by November 26.