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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.
"CMAP has a long history of preparing communities for better futures,” said 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."
The communities and organizations in the 2023 technical assistance group includes:
- Alsip
- Berwyn
- Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community
- Chicago Heights
- Diamond
- Franklin Park
- Ford Heights
- Greater Ashburn Development Association
- Hickory Hills
- La Grange Park
- Lake Villa
- Lansing
- Lemont
- Lincolnwood
- Marengo
- Maple Park
- Midlothian
- Newark
- Richmond
- South Holland
- Summit
- Wilmington
- Western Cook County (Bellwood, Berkeley, Broadview, Hillside, and Westchester)
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The Village of River Grove, in partnership with CMAP, is developing its first comprehensive plan and establishing a vision for the village's future. The Reimagine River Grove Comprehensive Plan will help residents and elected and appointed officials guide future actions, decisions, and development in the community.
The new plan will include strategies that can make River Grove more livable, walkable, and resilient for years to come. And the public can help! The project team wants to hear from residents and officials through numerous ongoing public engagement activities:
- The first community meeting with the Reimagine River Grove team is from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 7, at the Elmer Wolf Community Center, 2607 N. Thatcher Avenue. The public can attend in person or participate online.
- You can submit your thoughts about the future of River Grove through a quick community survey available on the project webpage.
- You also can leave ideas for specific areas in River Grove by dropping pins on an interactive map that also is available online.
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New equitable engagement program provides platform for inclusive community collaborations
A new pilot program designed to bring greater equity into regional planning is underway in northeastern Illinois. CMAP recently launched the inaugural cohort of its Community Alliance for Regional Equity (CARE) program, which includes 12 organizations located throughout northeastern Illinois.
CARE is designed to build stronger relationships with environmental justice communities, and it will directly engage communities that have been historically marginalized in long-range planning activities. CARE's goal is to break down barriers to public participation and drive more equitable outcomes in the region.
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Many biking improvements happened in northeastern Illinois last year
The Daily Herald recently featured the different developments that happened in 2022 to help make biking a friendlier option in northeastern Illinois.
The article highlighted the work to develop a new and updated bicycle and pedestrian plan in Bartlett and Streamwood. The collaborative effort between these communities and CMAP focuses on improving safety, access, and connectivity for all travelers, including pedestrians, bicyclists, and people with disabilities.
The article also covered new or updated bike and pedestrian plans in McHenry County, Niles, and Northbrook, as well as an update on Cook County's first bike plan, which is almost complete.
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