Population growth. New data from the U.S. Census Bureau show that the Chicago metro area is holding its own in terms of population growth for the period 2007-2008. We are still solidly ranked as the third largest metro region in the nation. The Chicago metro area includes the fourth fastest growing county in the entire country -- Kendall County -- with a population growth rate of 7.1 percent. This is especially notable because 94 of the 100 counties ranked by population growth were located either in the South or West regions of the country. See population tables with annual and cumulative data from 2000-08.

Chicago Tonight. Last week, WTTW's Chicago Tonight included a segment about our region's freight challenges and opportunities. Click here for the video. Mayor Karen Darch of Barrington described her village's efforts to cope with effects of the EJ&E railway's acquisition by the Canadian National railway. I acknowledged the very real concerns of communities like hers, while pointing out that the region needs to take steps -- including implementation of the CREATE project -- to alleviate freight bottlenecks that are a drag on the economy and quality of life. The Chicago Tonight segment was part of the "Chicago Matters: Beyond Burnham" series sponsored by The Chicago Community Trust.

Blog entries. It was a busy week in the GO TO 2040 blog. Shana Alford wrote about what's hot about local food. Kirstin Heery let us know that the Chaddick Development Control Award deadline was extended until today. Ylda Capriccioso wrote about CMAP's partnership with the Chicago Botanic Gardens' Annual Fairchild Challenge and Saturday's Eco-Concert at Ravinia. Anne Holub shared some ideas for first-time gardeners eager to start growing this spring. And today, Lindsay Banks wrote about this weekend's second annual Earth Hour in which the Sears Tower and several CMAP staffers will be participating.

Bike to Work Week, June 13-19. Registration is open for the Active Transportation Alliance's Bike Commuter Challenge. Part of Bike to Work Week, this is a chance to compete with other businesses and organizations to get the most employees to use a bicycle to commute between June 13-19, 2009. As the Sun-Times points out, CMAP won last year in the category of public agencies with 100-499 employees (even though we're at the low end of that staff head count), so we're excited about defending our crown. See John O'Neal for information, and then be sure to participate.

Burnham centennial event. On Tuesday, April 7, 2009, "Focus On Millennium Park Pavilions" will be a free, public event from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 East Washington St., Preston Bradley Hall. Join Alderman Brendan Reilly, The Burnham Plan Centennial Committee, The City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, the Art Institute of Chicago and Friends of Downtown to learn about the temporary Burnham Pavilions in Millennium Park. These exciting exhibits were designed by international architects Zaha Hadid and Ben Van Berkel of UNStudio to commemorate the spirit of Chicago embodied in the Burnham Plan. They will open to the public June 19 and close on October 31, 2009. They are at the heart of a region-wide series of events, plans and projects designed to challenge metropolitan Chicago to continue its bold visionary planning tradition. For more information, contact info@burnhamplan100.org.

Intermodal and logistics event. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, in partnership with the village of Bourbonnais and the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, will host a summit on "Future Impacts of the Intermodal and Logistics Industry on the Cities and Villages of Kankakee County." The event will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. April 13, at the Bourbonnais Village Hall, 700 Main St., Bourbonnais. To RSVP contact Jamie Krell (312-386-8658 or jkrell@cmap.illinois.gov).

Chaddick workshop. DePaul's Chaddick Institute will host a technical workshop from 9:00 a.m. to noon on Thursday, April 8, 2009. The session will highlight "how municipal planning departments throughout the region are organizationally having to rethink and react, given the current economic gloom." The panel includes five planning and community development directors from around the region.

Building Green Chicago. On April 7, 2009, the 2009 Building Green Chicago Conference will feature experts discussing the "state of green" in Chicagoland. Click here to register. The conference will begin with a panel led by Mayor Daley's Chief Environmental Officer, Sadhu Johnston, and featuring other City officials promoting the City's sustainable agenda. Other significant topics include:

• Retrofitting existing buildings to Energy Star,LEED certification or better to meet sustainable goals, especially in a down market.
  
  
• Finding green for green development -- sources of public and private financing in one of the most illiquid markets ever.
  
  
• Building blocks for sustainable development: new products, technologies and strategies for enhancing sustainability.
  
  

Eco-Concert. The Fairchild Challenge Eco-Concert will be held at Ravinia Festival's Bennett-Gordon Hall on Saturday, March 28, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. This event is open to the public and features original performances of eco-themed music written by Chicago-area high school students. Free parking and admission. See http://www.ravinia.org/GettingToRavinia.aspx for directions to Ravinia. Through the Fairchild Challenge and GO TO 2040, CMAP is partnering with the Chicago Botanic Garden.