Randy Blankenhorn

Final EIS scope is released. This afternoon, the Surface Transportation Board released the final scope of its planned Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) regarding CN's proposedacquisition of the EJ&E rail line. See an STB news release about the EIS scope, which we are reading carefully. Look for more about this next week.

Future Leaders in Planning. CMAP is beginning FLIP -- Future Leaders in Planning -- as a leadership development program for current high school freshmen and sophomores to participate in creating a better future for our region. The 48 selected participants from the seven counties will not only learn about planning issues in the northeastern region, but also meet and interact with selected regional leaders who make key decisions that affect our communities. The program begins in September 2008 and concludes in March 2009. See /flip-future-leaders-in-planning for details, including the application form. Please encourage students interested in making a real impact in their communities andregion to submit applications before June 2.

Foreclosures conference. For elected officials, trustees, municipal or county staff, and treasurers, on Tuesday, May 6, CMAP is partnering with the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago to co-sponsor "Taking Action: Local Government Strategies to Mitigate the Impact of Foreclosures on Communities." Visit http://www.cmap.illinois.gov/foreclosure_summary.aspx for details, including the agenda and registration. Along with much of the nation, metropolitan Chicago has seen a dramatic increase in the number of foreclosures. According to the latest figures from the Woodstock Institute, foreclosure filings in the region increased by nearly 80 percent between 2005 and 2007. This important meeting will give local government leaders a forum to discuss tools and strategies necessary for mitigating the impact of foreclosures on our communities. The conference will be held from 12:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, 230 South LaSalle Street. This event is free, but advance registration is required by May 1.

Illinois Works meeting. This past Wednesday's event in Naperville gave community and business leaders a chance to discuss the proposed capital program. Click here to see my testimony (opens 25KB PDF), which emphasizes the need for overdue investments in the state's infrastructure, including transportation, water treatment, schools, housing, and open space. See http://www.tficillinois.org/April23TransportationSummit.htmlfor a summary of the event from the Transportation for Illinois Coalition.

Vaya al año 2040. We have prepared a Spanish version of the GO TO 2040 survey and need your help getting it distributed. Please let partner organizations know about it, and we'll be happy to make copies available. To request some, contact Diana Torres (dtorres@cmap.illinois.gov or 312-386-8774).

UWP comment period. Today the CMAP Transportation Committee approved the Unified Work Program (UWP) for public comment. It's available on-line (opens 345KB PDF) and is open for public comment until May 19. The UWP lists the planning projects that CMAP and other agencies undertake each year to enhance transportation in northeastern Illinois and to fulfill federal planning regulations. The document includes each project’s description, products, costs and source of funding. Please direct comments to Matt Maloney (mmaloney@cmap.illinois.gov or 312-386-8615).

Great Lakes plans. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Environment Canada, and their partners have issued the 2008 biennial plans on each of the five Great Lakes. These comprehensive, environmental plans provide lake-by-lake details on the steps needed to ensure protection, restoration and environmental maintenance of Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario. See http://www.epa.gov/glnpo/lamp/index.html for the Lakewide Management Plans (LaMP), which are called for by the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement between the United States and Canada to restore and maintain the chemical, physical and biological integrity of the Great Lakes.

Leave No Child Inside. Chicago Parent magazine recently featured Chicago Wilderness and its "Leave No Child Inside" program to get kids outside where they can enjoy nature and engage in healthy activities.

Water conferences. Just a reminder of two important upcoming events. The "Beyond Showerheads and Sprinklers: Water Governance Solutions for Illinois" conference will be held on Friday, May 16, 2008. It's sponsored by the Metropolitan Planning Council, Openlands and the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University, with support from the Joyce Foundation and Lumpkin Family Foundation. Click here to register online. And CMAP will host a conference of the Lake Michigan Watershed Academy from May 20 to 22. This three-day interactive event will cover water quality issues and regional policy development relevant to Lake Michigan and its basin, including watersheds in Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana and Illinois.

Green Festival. This year's Green Festival will be held at Navy Pier on Friday and Saturday, May 17 and 18. Two national nonprofit organizations, Global Exchange and Co-op America, organize Green Festivals to bring together local and national socially responsible businesses, and environmental, social justice and community organizations. Last year's Green Festival in Chicago had more than 40,000 attendees. CMAP is co-sponsoring a booth with the Metropolitan Planning Council. For festival details, contact Phillippa Cannon (cannon.phillippa@epa.gov or 312-353-6218).