Posted on December 17, 2010 9:16 AM
Weekly Update, 12-17-10
Table of Contents
First Off...
Introducing CMAP Policy Updates. On Thursday, we launched the CMAP Policy Updates blog, a new forum for staff to share research and analysis of data and federal, state, and local policy issues. The updates will largely reflect ongoing CMAP work, and topics will include the regional economy, transportation, and environmental and local planning issues; learn more by reading an introductory posting. Our first Policy Update examines how the income tax and property tax are being targeted for reform as a new revenue-enhancing strategy to address both the state budget deficit and education funding.
Events
Financial Forum. On January 28, 2011, an Illinois Financial Forecast Forum on private sector views that will impact the public sector will be hosted by Northern Illinois University's Center for Government Studies Civic Leadership Academy with the Illinois City/County Management Association. The event will take place from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 1120 E. Diehl Road in Naperville. Register online.
Water event. The Eighth Annual DuPage Environmental Summit, “Until the Last Drop: Water Conservation in DuPage County,” will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 5 in the Krasa Student Center of the campus of Benedictine University in Lisle. Speakers will include Tim Loftus of CMAP. Pre-registration is requested, and admission is free. Contact Carrie Thompson (630-428-4500, ext. 10, or cthompson@theconservationfoundation.org).
Other News and Announcements
MetroPulse. Software product launch company Pathfinder Development released an announcement about their work on MetroPulse this week, which included quotes from both myself and Regional Indicators Project manager Andrew Williams-Clark. If you haven't checked it out yet, visit www.metropulsechicago.org to see the new regional data resource created through the Regional Indicators Project, a collaboration of CMAP and The Chicago Community Trust.
EE grants. Sustainable Chicago magazine features a story (page 12) about grants for energy efficiency.
RACC report. The Regional ARRA Coordinating Council (RACC) convened by The Chicago Community Trust and CMAP has completed a new report. It reviews the specific objectives of the ARRA and discusses its impacts on the recession. Given that 75 percent of ARRA funds have been spent, now is a good time to review what the ARRA achieved, what recovery needs remain, and describe the important innovations and lessons learned.
CMAP Blogs
Soles and Spokes.This week, CMAP’s bike-ped planning blog announced the publication of EPA draft guidelines on school siting, designed to assist communities in making the best possible school siting decisions for protecting and improving the health of students and school staff. The EPA is accepting public comments on this document until February 18, 2011. The blog also highlighted the presentation on CDOT’s Complete Streets program by the new Commissioner of Transportation, Bobby Ware, at the MPC roundtable, "Alternative Avenues: How Livable Communities Promote Health and Wellness.” Finally, we alerted readers to the bridge reconstruction work on Halsted Street, where it crosses the North Branch of the Chicago River. The new bridge will include bike lanes.
Reminders
GO TO 2040 LTA program accepting applications. CMAP is currently accepting applications to provide local technical assistance (LTA) for planning projects that help to implement GO TO 2040. Eligible projects include comprehensive plans, zoning ordinance revisions, specific studies on important local issues, and many others. Eligible applicants include municipalities, counties, interjurisdictional groups, and nongovernmental organizations. Applications can be completed with a very simple, easy-to-use form and are due by January 28, 2011. For more details and to download an application form, please visit www.cmap.illinois.gov/local-planning/call-for-projects. Please contact Pete Saunders (312-386-8654 or psaunders@cmap.illinois.gov) with any questions.
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