Technical Assistance program supports communities with ADA compliance, travel safety, and long-term planning needs

For immediate release

CHICAGO – More than 20 communities throughout northeastern Illinois will receive technical assistance from the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) to improve traffic safety, make travel more accessible, and help them prosper in the years ahead.

CMAP will work with communities and organizations throughout northeastern Illinois’ seven counties to strengthen compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), plan for improvements that protect bicyclists and pedestrians, better prepare for grant opportunities, and address long-term planning needs.

“The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning has a long history of preparing communities for better futures,” said CMAP Executive Director Erin Aleman. “These projects foster collaboration throughout the region, making our communities safer and more prosperous. We look forward to building a stronger region where all communities can thrive together.”

CMAP approved 23 new technical assistance program projects this month following a joint call for projects with the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA). The agency plans to award two additional applicants for the ADA self-evaluation and transition category later this year.

Examples of the projects that the selected municipalities and organizations will work on with CMAP throughout the year include:

Projects in Berwyn and Chicago Heights to assess ADA compliance and identify local improvements that can make sidewalks, crosswalks, curb ramps, and landings easier to navigate.
Projects in Alsip in Cook County and Richmond in McHenry County to develop bike and pedestrian plans that can create safer routes and intersections, strengthen ADA accessibility, improve streetscapes, and other enhancements.

Full list of communities selected for CMAP technical assistance

Community or organization	Type of assistance
Berwyn Chicago Heights La Grange Park Lemont Lincolnwood	ADA self evaluation and transition planning
Alsip Richmond Western Cook County (Bellwood, Berkeley, Broadview, Hillside, Westchester)	Bicycle and pedestrian planning
Lansing	Capital improvement planning
Franklin Park	Corridor planning
Ford Heights Marengo Midlothian Summit	Grant readiness planning
Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community	NEXT Program (implementation assistance)
Diamond Hickory Hills Lake Villa Maple Park Newark South Holland Wilmington	Pavement management planning
Greater Ashburn Development Association	Safety action planning

This call for projects generated 64 total applications from 55 different applicants. Although CMAP and RTA have separate technical assistance programs, the coordinated call allows both agencies to reach a larger pool of applicants and provide communities with additional staffing resources and capacity to achieve their goals.

CMAP’s technical assistance program aligns with its ON TO 2050 principles of regional resilience, inclusive growth, and prioritized investment. Since 2012, the program has assisted communities in developing more than 200 planning projects.

Contact

Stephen Di Benedetto, senior communications specialist, sdibenedetto@cmap.illinois.gov.

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Jan 12, 2023