The first Small Plans, Big Ideas forum, “Harnessing technology for a safer future,” was held at Waubonsee Community College in Aurora on Tuesday. More than 60 attendees heard from a panel of experts about recognizing opportunties and avoiding pitfalls as technology changes the way we interact with government, community, and each other. CMAP executive director Erin Aleman encouraged attendees to work together to be more resilient in the face of the unknown and spoke about how ON TO 2050 can help communities succeed.

Don’t forget to register for “Focusing your plan for real results,” the next event in the forum series at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 24, at the Joliet Historical Museum (204 N. Ottawa St., Joliet). The Small Plans, Big Ideas event series coincides with the 2019 joint Call for Projects for the CMAP Local Technical Assistance and RTA Community Planning programs, which is open for applications through Thursday, October 17. Each event will help you make meaningful connections with other communities and collaborate on some of our region’s toughest issues.

The joint Call for Projects for the CMAP Local Technical Assistance and RTA Community Planning programs opened this week. Applicants are able to apply to both programs with a single form, presented in a simple web-only format for the first time this year. The application, FAQ, and eligible project descriptions are available at http://cmap.is/2019application. Applications are due by noon on Thursday, October 17.

The Cook County Assessor's office will be holding property tax reform town halls with local elected officials. The first will be held Tuesday, October 1, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., at South Suburban College (15800 S. State St., South Holland), and the second will be on Thursday, October 10, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at Stickney Village Hall (6533 W. Pershing Rd., Stickney). A third town hall be announced soon.

Illinois Department of Natural Resources Youth Fishing Derby
William W. Powers State Recreation Area
S. Avenue O and E. 126th Pl.
Chicago, IL 60633
September 21, 2019
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
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Grant Writing Workshop with Cook County Sheriff's Police Training Acadeny and Grant Writing USA
South Suburban College, Business & Career Institute
16333 S. Kilbourn Ave., Room 5250
Oak Forest, IL 60452
September 23-24, 2019
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Developing and Sustaining an Open Data Program
Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center
2100 Ridge Ave., Room 2404
Evanston, IL 60201
September 24, 2019
9:00 to 10:30 a.m.
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Small Plans, Big Ideas:
Focusing your plan for real results
Joliet Historical Museum
204 N. Ottawa St.
Joliet, IL 60432
September 24, 2019
3:00 to 6:00 p.m.
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APA-IL State Conference
Hilton Orrington - Evanston
1710 Orrington Ave.
Evanston, IL 60201
September 25-27, 2019
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Tier II Consultation Meeting
CMAP
233 S. Wacker Dr., Suite 800
Chicago, IL 60606
September 26, 2019
1:30 p.m.
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Midwest Connections:
Travel Smart 2019 ITS Midwest Annual Meeting
DoubleTree Suites and Conference Center
2111 Butterfield Rd.
Downers Grove, IL 60515
September 26-27, 2019
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Engagement, Process, and ROI in Your Local Government:
The 3 Keys to Building a Successful Innovation Program
Elizabeth F. Cheney Mansion
220 N. Euclid Ave.
Oak Park, IL 60302
September 27, 2019
Noon to 1:30 p.m.
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Small Plans, Big Ideas:
Making it happen -- from plan to project
Greenbelt Cultural Center
1215 Green Bay Rd.
North Chicago, IL 60064
October 1, 2019
3:00 to 6:00 p.m.
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Current Projects: Saving Old Cook County Hospital
Chicago Architecture Center
Gand Lecture Hall
111 E. Wacker Dr.
Chicago, IL 60601
October 1, 2019
6:00 p.m.
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Property Tax Reform Town Hall
South Suburban College
15800 S. State St.
South Holland, IL 60473
October 1, 2019
6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
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2019 Transformer Awards
Metropolitan Planning Council 
140 S. Dearborn St., Suite 1400
Chicago, IL 6063
October 2, 2019
11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
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Small Plans, Big Ideas:
Planning for an equitable water future
CalComm Regional 911 Center
12419 S. Ashland Ave.
Calumet Park, IL 60827
October 3, 2019
3:00 to 6:00 p.m.
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Municipal Finance Data Forum: Midwest
Northern Illinois University, Naperville Campus
1120 E. Diehl Rd. 
Naperville, IL 60563
October 3, 2019
9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
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Urban Think & Drink 
An American Summer: Love and Death in Chicago
Metropolitan Planning Council
140 S. Dearborn St., Suite 1400
Chicago, IL 60603
October 3, 2019
5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
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Small Plans, Big Ideas:
Benefiting from a changing economy
Gail Borden Public Library
270 N. Grove Ave.
Elgin, IL 60120
October 8, 2019
3:00 to 6:00 p.m.
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Small Plans, Big Ideas:
ON TO 2050 Symposium
Conference Chicago at University Center
525 S. State St.
Chicago, IL 60605
October 10, 2019
10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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Property Tax Reform Town Hall
Stickney Village Hall
6533 W. Pershing Rd.
Stickney, IL 60402
October 10, 2019
7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
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