CMAP Media Tip Sheet

March 20, 2013

This tip sheet briefly summarizes newsworthy activities of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP). Reporters should contact Justine Reisinger (312-386-8802 and jreisinger@cmap.illinois.gov) or Hillary Green (312-386-8619 and hgreen@cmap.illinois.gov) for more information.

Investments in innovation can fuel region's manufacturing rebound, says new CMAP industry cluster report

Metropolitan Chicago's manufacturing cluster is gaining strength but is hindered by decreasing investment in private R&D, according to the CMAP Policy Update blog's analysis of innovation in the region. Another post describes the new Advanced Manufacturing Scorecard that rates local sectors according to the "3P" indicators: Product, Process, and People. The analysis is derived from Metropolitan Chicago's Manufacturing Cluster: A Drill-Down Report on Innovation, Workforce, and Infrastructure, the second report in CMAP's cluster series. Upcoming posts will detail the workforce and infrastructure components of the report. Visit www.cmap.illinois.gov/policy/drill-downs/manufacturingfor the summary report, a more-detailed technical report, and an interactive version of the Scorecard and occupational analysis.

New plan for Englewood, Washington Park, and Woodlawn addresses housing, urban agriculture, parks, and history

On March 27, CMAP and partners will present the draft Green Healthy Neighborhoods land use plan at a final open house at Urban Prep's Englewood campus (6201 S. Stewart Avenue, Chicago) from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. In March 2011, the City of Chicago, LISC/Chicago, Teamwork Englewood, the South East Chicago Commission, and Washington Park Consortium began working with CMAP through its Local Technical Assistance (LTA) program to develop a land-use plan for the neighborhoods of Englewood, Washington Park, and Woodlawn. The plan addresses green infrastructure, historic resources, industry, land use and housing, parks and trails, and retail. Following the open house, public comments will be incorporated into the final plan, which will then go to the City of Chicago's Plan Commission for discussion and adoption.

National planning conference comes to Chicago, highlighting the region's planning activities

The American Planning Association (APA) 2013 National Conference will feature a local exhibit on the region's progress in implementing its GO TO 2040 comprehensive plan, as well as workshops on metropolitan Chicago's rich tradition of planning. To be held April 13-17, the conference will include a number of CMAP-led panels, a large exhibit about the implementation of metropolitan Chicago's GO TO 2040 comprehensive regional plan, and a luncheon where CMAP will receive the APA's first-ever National Planning Excellence Award for a Planning Agency. Please contact Justine Reisinger (jreisinger@cmap.illinois.gov) for more about the conference. Stay tuned for details from CMAP on opportunities for media to attend.

Congestion pricing revenues could support transit, carpooling, and roadway construction

While the primary aim of congestion pricing is to manage traffic, not raise revenues, a new Policy Update assesseshow other regions use revenuesfrom express toll lanes. Such projects generally pay for their own operations, and net revenues can help support transit, carpool, and sometimes help pay for roadway construction. Another posts describes how revenues might be used on the proposed Elgin O'Hare Western Access (EOWA) project. EOWA is on a short list of fiscally-constrainedmajor capital projectsidentified in GO TO 2040. Visit www.cmap.illinois.gov/congestion-pricingto learn more about CMAP's efforts to implement congestion pricing in northeastern Illinois.

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About CMAP

The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) is the comprehensive regional planning organization for the northeastern Illinois counties of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will. By state and federal law, CMAP is responsible for producing the region's official, integrated plan for land use and transportation. The agency's innovative GO TO 2040 planning campaign develops and implements strategies to shape the region's transportation system and development patterns, while also addressing the natural environment, economic development, housing, education, human services, and other factors shaping quality of life. See www.cmap.illinois.gov for more information.