Randy Blankenhorn

State budget. The detailed budget wasn't available until late yesterday (see http://www.state.il.us/budget/), and we're among many organizations now poring over it, with special attention to the proposed Illinois Works capital program. While we have some concerns about the amount of funding for CREATE and public transit, along with out-year bond payments from the road fund, we believe that this proposal can ignite a discussion about a capital program in this legislative session. I was also happy to see that the budget includes $5 million to IDOT for the statewide Regional Comprehensive Planning Fund, created by CMAP's legislation last year. Our agency's $3.5 million portion of that fund will be essential for conducting day-to-day planning activities in the region, especially non-transportation planning. Meanwhile, the Senate and House are separately considering bills -- SB 2288 and HB 750 -- that would increase the income tax, although only the Senate bill would devote any such revenue to the capital program. The Governor has said in the past that he would veto an income tax increase.

Coverage of recent EJ&E hearing. The Business Ledger has a lengthy story about the hearing hosted earlier this month by State Representative Elaine Nekritz regarding CN's proposed acquisition of the EJ&E line. Rep. Nekritz is quoted in support of CMAP's taking a lead role in evaluating the regional impacts: "It is so political. Some people in the General Assembly are already entrenched. That is why the comments by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning are so important."

Business Ledger on congestion pricing. The same issue of the Ledger included an editorial stressing the need for effective regional planning, citing the proposal that CMAP, IDOT, and other partners submitted in December for federal funds to support pilot implementation of congestion pricing tools. The piece quotes CMAP's Tom Murtha, whose innovative ideas and work were central to that proposal (7.2MB PDF).

Call for water papers. The Illinois Water Conference will be held October 8-9, 2008, in Champaign. Paper and poster abstracts are due by 5:00 p.m. on April 25. See www.iisgcp.org/ilwater for details of how to submit on-line.

FREP legislative event. The Fox River Ecosystem Partnership (FREP) is holding its seventh annual"Conversations about Conservation with Our Legislators" forum on Friday, March 7, 2008, 11 a.m.to 1 p.m. at James “Pate” Philip State Park, 2050 W. Stearns Rd., Bartlett (this is in northwest DuPage County, west ofRoute 59 and east of Dunham Road, on the north side of Stearns Road). Featured speakers include Senator Linda Holmes on Cool Cities, Senator Pam Althoff on iSPACE, and Jack Darin of the Sierra Club of Illinois. A light lunch buffet will be served. Donations will be accepted to help defray the cost of the lunch. To help with lunch planning, RSVP by March 5 to Becky Hoag, FREP Communications Manager (630-482-9157or foxriverinfo@comcast.net).  Download a PDF at http://tinyurl.com/2o4fqx for more information.