Invent the Future with GO TO 2040.  CMAP is gearing up for its most-intense public involvement during the comprehensive regional planning process.  We're calling this phase "Invent the Future," because it is residents' chance to have their say about the critically important policy and investment tradeoffs that will guide growth for decades to come.  We need your help to spread the word.  Download a flyer that describes these activities, which will begin on May 27 with our first Invent the Future workshop at the Botanic Garden in Glencoe.  If you can't attend that one, there will be dozens of others throughout the summer.  Click here for a page with links to the workshops schedule, along with other details including festivals where we'll be engaging the public.  At the end of this month, watch for a host of new web features at http://www.goto2040.org, where users will be able to create their own future scenarios, mail them to friends, and compare them to our sample scenarios.

Springfield trip.  A CMAP delegation visited Springfield on Wednesday, in part to keep our funding issue on the minds of officials in the Governor's administration and the General Assembly.  Our group included CMAP Board chairman Gerald Bennett, and Board members Alan Bennett, Elliott Hartstein, Russell Hartigan, Raul Raymundo, and Rae Rupp Srch.  Pat Carey from Mayor Daley's office attended on behalf of Chicago.  We had about 20 meetings, including sessions with three of the four legislative leaders and the Governor's chief of staff.  Especially in this budget climate, we will have to stay in close touch with our many supporters in Springfield and here in the region to ensure a positive outcome.

As you may have seen this past Monday, the Tribune's John McCarron wrote a column that pokes a bit of fun at some recent goings-on that he thinks are contrary to the spirit of Daniel Burnham.  One such example is our current funding problem, which John was kind enough to highlight.  I welcome whatever attention can be brought to this issue, and I remain confident that the Comprehensive Regional Planning Fund will be restored.

CMAP funding reminder.  Even though we made some good progress in Springfield this week, we still need your help to reinstate the Comprehensive Regional Planning Fund (CRPF).  Please take a moment, if you haven't yet or to remind them again, to make your feelings known to the Governor, IDOT, and leaders of the General Assembly. To make that easier for you, we've posted a "call to action" fact sheet, sample letter, and list of contacts.

CMAP meetings.  At 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 13, 2009, the CMAP Board will meet.  Click here for Board meeting materials.  Prior to the Board, CMAP's Planning Coordinating Committee will meet at 8:00 a.m.  Click here for committee materials.  Immediately after the Board meeting, the Executive Committee will meet.

UIC speech.  Today I gave a commencement address for the University of Illinois at Chicago's College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs.  This was a chance for me to speak from the heart to graduating students as they embark on their careers.  I talked to them about the opportunities and responsibilities of serving the public.  These times require them to think and act boldly, and putting off the tough choices for another generation is not a viable option.  As I told them, this does not have to be their misfortune.  Instead, it can be their opportunity for greatness. Click here to read the text of my remarks.  I'm grateful to Dean Michael Pagano for letting me be part of his college's important occasion.

Bold Ideas contests.  On a related note, this week we're holding three GO TO 2040 Bold Ideas contests, which ask high school students to express what they want for their community by the year 2040. Yesterday was our 2009 kickoff at Bloom Trail High School, and today we are co-hosting events with Waukegan High School and Highland Park High School.  The students compete for prizes that are made possible through a grant from The Chicago Community Trust.  As I said in a CMAP press release, it's both inspiring and sobering to hear these young residents' dreams and concerns for the future of our region.

Congressional Delegation Staff Briefing. We hosted a briefing this week on housing issues for our congressional delegation district staff.  CMAP staffer Lee Deuben, along with Robin Snyderman from MPC and Beth Dever from the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus gave a presentation focusing on housing issues facing our region and our regional initiatives to address them.  This briefing was the third in a series to keep the delegation staff informed on what CMAP is working on in various policy issues. 

Transit Public-Private Partnership Workshop.  The Federal Transit Administration and the National Council for Public- Private Partnerships are pleased to announce the development of a second series of transit PPP workshops for 2009.  The Chicago regional workshop is May 19-20, 2009 at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers.  Please see the flyer for more information.

FLIP application period.  CMAP needs a few good -- make that "great" -- high school students to be part of its Future Leaders in Planning (FLIP) program, which is recruiting students for the second year.   FLIP is a leadership development opportunity offered free of charge to students who are interested in contributing to a better future for our region.  Participants will learn about northeastern Illinois by participating in hands-on activities and field trips on issues that concern us all, including housing, transportation, the environment and government.  FLIP youth will meet and interact with regional leaders who make key planning decisions in our communities and learn what it takes to make positive change on regional and local levels.  Students will also share their thoughts with other teens from Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties.  Applications and letters of reference are due Friday June 26th, 2009.  Know anyone who might be interested?  Go to /flip-future-leaders-in-planning for application materials and more.

UNO honor.  Diana Torres of CMAP has been selected to participate in the Metropolitan Leadership Institute (MLI), sponsored by the United Neighborhood Organization (UNO). UNO created the institute in 2001 to help the Latino community "reap the benefits of new, young and committed leadership."  This is a great honor for Diana, who is busy as CMAP's liaison to the Latino community, among other responsibilities. She'll be inducted in a ceremony at the Chicago Yacht Club on May 13.

Blog entry.  In our GO TO 2040 blog, Lindsay Banks gives an update on bicycling resources and upcoming events in the region.

Bennett event. Maybe inevitably, the 1909 Plan of Chicago gets shortened to the "Burnham Plan."  But Daniel Burnham had a coauthor who likewise deserves recognition in this centennial year.  DePaul University's Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development is calling attention to Edward Bennett's important role, with an event on May 26, 2009 at 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. at the Cliff Dwellers Club, 200 S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago IL 60604.  "Burnham's Recruiting Bennett for the Plan of Chicago, 1906-09: They and Their Backgrounds Compete, Converge and Then Collaborate on the Plan" will be presented by Edward H. (Ted) Bennett, III and Arthur H. Miller, archivist and librarian for special collections at Lake Forest College.  Admission is free, with a cash bar.  RSVP to Elizabeth Wilp (ewilp@depaul.edu).