|
Giving thanks to our partners and keeping people at the center of our work
In the spirit of thanksgiving, I want to thank you — our partners — who work alongside us every day to advance our shared goals of an inclusive and thriving region. I’m thankful and proud of the progress we are making together around transportation, the regional economy, and climate, while keeping people at the center of our work.
We are developing big, bold solutions so that we have a transportation and transit system that will work better for everyone through our mobility recovery work.
We are making our streets safer for everyone through our Safe Travel for All Roadmap (STAR) and creating a region that is more accessible for everyone.
We are maximizing the opportunities of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act by achieving consensus around our region’s highest-priority projects.
We are considering quality of life, equity, and opportunity in our planning and decision-making.
In this newsletter, you will read more about these programs and an opportunity to celebrate the exceptional work you are doing to improve our region. Thank you for your continued partnership.
Erin
|
|
Free ADA training workshops coming soon
Dozens flocked to CMAP's office last week to bolster their knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) launched a new free training program that covers the ADA and communities’ obligations under the act. The half-day training pilot kicked off the series, which will continue with four more sessions starting in January.
The in-person training sessions are set for January 18 in Frankfort, March 1 in Calumet Park, April 18 in Naperville, and April 19 in Aurora. The training is intended for municipal staff, ADA coordinators, community leaders, and anyone interested in learning how to make their communities more accessible. Participants can attend one or all of the workshops. Stay tuned for registration information and more details.
|
|
CMAP Board highlights: 64 applications for call for projects, STAR initiative aims to improve travel safety
Here are some highlights from the November CMAP Board meeting:
- CMAP received 64 applications from 55 different applicants as part of a call for projects, an annual joint effort between CMAP and the Regional Transportation Authority. The majority of applications were for bicycle and pedestrian plans, followed by pavement management plans and grant readiness.
- This fall, CMAP submitted a major joint application with our region's counties and the Illinois Department of Transportation to improve travel safety in northeastern Illinois, called Safe Travel for All Roadmap (STAR). Continuing with this initiative, CMAP has worked with six counties on intergovernmental agreements to guide the partnership as well as technical assistance services. Some counties have approved the agreement and others will seek approval at their transportation committee and board meetings over the next month.
- CMAP is nearing our final phase of work around developing our regional priority projects list. We've partnered with our region's transportation implementers –– the Illinois Department of Transportation, county departments of transportation, the Chicago Department of Transportation, transit agencies, the Tollway, Amtrak, and the CREATE partnership –– to build consensus and align projects with Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funding opportunities. Investing in infrastructure improvements that address climate change is a focus of the IIJA, along with making investments that enhance resilience, equity, and safety.
- CMAP received two grants from the Chicago Community Trust. A $70,000 grant will support the strategy and scoping phase of the Plan of Action for Regional Transit, the regional transit report required by the state legislature in 2024. A $150,000 grant for our technical assistance program through the Flexible Funding Program of our catalyzing neighborhood investment strategy will put dollars to work in our most under-resourced municipalities in south and west Cook County.
- CMAP developed a new interactive tool, in partnership with Theory in Practice Strategies, which maps job quality and access throughout the region and will help build actionable strategies for inclusive economic growth.
|
|
Join our team!
CMAP is hiring! The agency continues to hire and promote great people from a wide variety of backgrounds, making CMAP and its work stronger.
If you believe in serving with passion, fostering collaboration, driving innovation, pursuing equity, and leading with excellence, and you share CMAP's enthusiasm for building an inclusive and thriving region, please apply.
|
|
Help celebrate exceptional work in northeastern Illinois
CMAP invites you to submit award nominations for the 2023 Regional Excellence Awards. The agency seeks nominations for individuals and projects that prioritize equity, strengthen the resiliency of our 284 communities, and make them more economically competitive.
This awards program offers an opportunity for municipal leaders, nonprofits, transportation agencies, and advocates to have their exceptional work recognized by peers from across northeastern Illinois. If you know of a community, agency, or partner organization deserving of recognition, learn more about the awards program below and make a nomination by 5:00 p.m. Friday, December 16.
|
|
Mayors pushing for support of Chicago Hub Improvement Program
Dozens of mayors from several states have signed a letter urging federal support for the Chicago Hub Improvement Program. The program would upgrade Union Station, and improve and expand Metra and Amtrak service, allowing for additional train routes and faster service.
CMAP is working closely with our federal, state, and local partners from across northeastern Illinois to maximize this once-in-a-generation transportation funding available under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot was among 56 mayors to send a letter to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and Federal Railroad Administration Administrator Amit Bose. Joining Lightfoot were other mayors from Illinois, as well as officials in Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
|
|
Apply for funds from Illinois Competitive Freight Program
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) seeks applications for a new round of the Illinois Competitive Freight Program. Total funding of approximately $200 million in National Highway Freight Program funds will be available through 2026. Approximately 30 percent of annual funding will be made available for intermodal rail and water projects. Applications are due Monday, December 19.
Administered by IDOT using federal funds, the competitive grant program will be used to create a freight investment plan that will become part of the 2022 Illinois State Freight Plan update currently being developed. Applicants should assume a 20 percent match requirement of non-federal funds. Successful proposals will address one or more goal areas which include safety, reliability, system enhancements, operational needs, truck parking, modal connectivity, and mode shift.
|
|
Plan aims to reduce flooding's impact on the transportation system
Heavy rain can cause flooding that can grind transportation to a halt and stop people from getting where they need to go. Streets and sidewalks can become inaccessible, possibly for long periods of time. Access to public transportation also can be affected.
With support from CMAP’s technical assistance program, the Central Council of Mayors is developing a plan to reduce that risk. They are soliciting feedback on the draft Transportation Resilience Plan.
The public comment period is open through Tuesday, November 29. The plan identifies ways to reduce flooding and make the transportation system more resilient in Berwyn, Brookfield, Cicero, Countryside, Forest View, Hodgkins, Indian Head Park, La Grange, La Grange Park, Lyons, McCook, Riverside, Summit, Stickney, and Western Springs.
|
|
Help build a more resilient future! Join CMAP and APWA for a conversation about infrastructure
The $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) creates a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in roads, bridges, rails, and water infrastructure. Northeastern Illinois soon will start seeing millions of dollars that can go toward building a more resilient future.
CMAP Executive Director Erin Aleman will share more about IIJA and what it means for the region during a presentation from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 13, with members of the American Public Works Association’s (APWA) Chicago Metro Chapter.
Interested participants can attend live at The Gage restaurant in Chicago or watch a broadcast online. APWA also is helping organize watch parties, especially for public works staff and communities that are underserved. Please contact John Mick II, APWA City Branch Education Chair, at 312-505-1149 to learn more.
|
|
Join the discussion about transit's future in the region
Transit provides northeastern Illinois residents with access to jobs, opportunity, education, healthcare, and greater mobility. But the COVID-19 pandemic has caused drastic shifts in transit use, impacting the viability of our system that relies heavily on fares to fund operations.
Please join us for a riveting City Club panel discussion about the future of transit in northeastern Illinois at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, December 7.
Panelists include Illinois Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado, CMAP Executive Director Erin Aleman, RTA Executive Director Leanne Redden, and Jacky Grimshaw, vice president of government affairs for the Center for Neighborhood Technology.
|
|
|
|
|
