Hearing to address the proposed EJ&E acquisition by CN.   We have been asked to testify at an informal hearing hosted by Congressional Representatives Bean, Biggert, Foster, Manzullo and Roskam to address the impact of the proposed acquisition of the EJ&E by the Canadian National Railroad.  Local communities, municipal governments and state agencies have been asked to provide testimony on the impacts of the proposed transaction.  This is especially timely since the draft EIS was issued last Friday.  The hearing is on Tuesday, August 5 at 10:30 a.m. at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse, located on 219 South Dearborn Avenue, Suite 2525 in Chicago.  

Capital Plan.  Yesterday, the Governor and the Illinois Works coalition announced a revised $25 million capital plan.  Click here for the press release.  

USDOT releases transportation authorization proposal.  This week the U.S. Department of Transportation released a web link to “Refocus. Reform. Renew.: A New Transportation Approach in America” – the Administration’s plan, to overhaul the way U.S. transportation decisions and investments are made. 

¡En español: VAMOS AL AÑO 2040! The Spanish for GO TO 2040 is "VAMOS AL AÑO 2040," and we recently posted a set of new materials translated from English.  This coincided with the video segments that have been running lately on CAN-TV and with CMAP Conversaciónes Comunitarias (Community Conversations) we are hosting.  The translated text includes Acerca de CMAP (CMAP overview), Proceso de Planeación de VAMOS AL AÑO 2040 (our planning process brochure), and VAMOS AL AÑO 2040 encuesta (our general survey).  Soon we'll post a Spanish version of the Regional Vision document.   

Reminder:  Cost of Congestion briefing. Don't forget the panel discussion of the Metropolitan Planning Council's imminent report titled "Moving at the Speed of Congestion." The event is at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 5, in the Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Multi-Purpose Room, Lower Level, 400 S. State St., Chicago. Register online at www.metroplanning.org.

MPC save the date.  In other MPC news, their 2008 Annual Meeting Luncheon will be held on Monday, September 8, 2008.  The topic is "Metropolitan Mandate: How the Next President Will Maximize Metro Potential." Representatives of the two major party nominees for President of the United States will present their candidates’ plans and priorities for solving the most urgent issues impeding the nation’s regions and cities.  Location is the Hyatt Regency Chicago, 151 East Wacker Drive.  The event is sponsored by National City Bank.