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Talking transit: developing a plan of action that will strengthen and secure our region's system
The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) team and I have been out and about in the region this summer talking transit.
We are in the final phase of developing a Plan of Action for Regional Transit (PART) — a report with legislative recommendations to help address our current transit funding crisis.
The law requires CMAP to work with stakeholders to develop a set of recommendations that considers the financial stability of the system, system improvements, and mechanisms to make it happen — like reforms to revenue and governance. It also requires us to consider important issues like racial equity, climate change, and economic development.
We are engaging partners at all levels — state, county, municipal, as well as the transit service boards, and other groups. The PART steering committee (an advisory group made up of diverse stakeholders) is providing input to the recommendations to the CMAP Board and MPO Policy Committee in September for their approval before sending to the legislature and governor by the mandated January 1 deadline.
Transit plays a critical role in achieving the inclusive and thriving region the ON TO 2050 plan envisions. It provides mobility for both riders and non-riders. Without transit options, gridlock only grows. Transit drives the region's economy. It connects people to jobs, education, social services, healthcare, and other essential services. It also advances equity by providing access to all people across the region. And, transit is directly connected to our ability to address climate change.
I encourage you to learn more about this important work. How did we get here? Why does it matter? Visit out our PART webpage for information and resources, including recently published draft recommendations for better buses, regional rail, fare integration, fare levels, demand-responsive transit services, safety and security, and fare affordability, along with draft recommendations on state, federal, and paratransit funding approaches. More draft recommendations will be posted throughout the summer.
You can watch a video recording of my presentation and discussion with the Lake County Board. I’ll be presenting to the Kane County Board’s Committee of the Whole on Wednesday; that video will be available on their meetings page.
Stay tuned!
Erin Aleman
Executive Director
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Eye-Opener: 4 indicators that show how Will County is positioned for economic success
Will County is well positioned for continued economic success.
That was the takeaway at the Will County Economic Development Corporation’s (CED) annual Eye-Opener event attended by many local elected officials, business leaders and other stakeholders.
Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant recognized CMAP for its leadership and partnership in developing the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership, a first-of-its-kind regional initiative to coordinate and strengthen economic development on a regional level.
“This partnership will help diversify our economy and attract business from around the world to Will County,” Bertino-Tarrant told the group.
The Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership, launched earlier this year, includes all seven counties and the City of Chicago. Together, we work to drive inclusive economic development across Chicagoland.
Also at the event, CED President and CEO Doug Pryor highlighted important economic indicators for Will County, including:
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All-time high employment: Employment hit a new high in April, up 67,000 from the COVID-19 trough.
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Very low unemployment: High job growth and modest workforce gains hold unemployment numbers very low — among the lowest ever recorded.
- More jobs: Manufacturing remains the largest sector of Will County’s economy, adding more than 1,000 jobs and $339 million in new wages in the past two years.
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Higher wages: Like the rest of the nation, low unemployment continues to drive wages higher, with wages for all industries up 17 percent since 2019.
Way to go, Will County! We are indeed stronger together. Thank you for your efforts and contributions to strengthen all of northeastern Illinois.
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People-centered climate action: putting the "S" in ESG
CMAP Executive Director Erin Aleman spoke on a panel at the Environment Analyst Global Business Summit in June. The panel discussed how the public, private, and nongovernmental sectors can put the "S" in ESG (environmental, social, and governance) to advance investments and infrastructure that help communities.
Panelists highlighted the importance of good data at the local and regional scales. Erin discussed how CMAP reformed its distribution approach for Surface Transportation Program funds to make lasting contributions where the transportation system is most in need of improvement. Working with our regional partners, CMAP added project selection criteria that consider the health of sensitive populations, disadvantaged communities, and vulnerable users.
Governments and organizations also must meaningfully engage communities, so they have real input on and ownership of projects. CMAP is working to build stronger relationships with communities and directly engage community organizations in our activities through the Community Alliance for Regional Equity (CARE). CARE helps overcome barriers in order to drive more equitable outcomes and opportunities for everyone across our region.
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Economic development standouts — Cook, DuPage, Kane, and Will counties rank among "America's Best"
A story this month in Site Selection Magazine ranked the top 20 counties in the country, listed by total number of economic development projects from January 2022 through March 2023. Four of "America's Best" counties are in northeastern Illinois!
Cook County tied for second with 231 projects. DuPage County was ninth with 91 projects, followed by Kane County (14th, 52 projects) and Will County (16th, 48 projects). Dallas County in Texas ranked first with 252 projects.
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Community Data Snapshots offer fascinating information about northeastern Illinois
Do you want to know how much park space there is in your community? Do you know how many people there own their homes?
CMAP released a new set of Community Data Snapshots to help local leaders and the public track progress and make informed decisions in their communities.
These data-rich snapshots — one for each of the region’s 7 counties, 284 municipalities, and 77 Chicago neighborhoods — provide information about population and households, housing, transportation, employment, water supply, and more.
View and print your community’s snapshot on the CMAP website, or visit CMAP’s newly redesigned Data Hub to download the data tables.
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Helping the Village of Burlington focus on its future
CMAP planners Beatrix Yan and Julie Burros (pictured, left to right) wrapped up 12 months of work on Burlington NEXT, an initiative focused on identifying and prioritizing action steps to advance recommendations from the village's comprehensive plan.
Looking toward the future:
- The village has a letter of support from Congressman Bill Foster to work toward establishing a wastewater treatment plant.
- CMAP helped provide instructions for solar power installations, using examples from other municipalities.
- A walking tour showed that creating sidewalks and considering lowering some speed limits could help improve safety.
- A business outreach lead could serve as a liaison and keep business owners appraised of ADA accessibility issues, renovation grants, and more!
NEXT projects are offered through CMAP’s technical assistance program.
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Help advocate for safer and more equitable sidewalks by joining virtual map-a-thon event
Join CMAP and the University of Illinois Chicago for a virtual map-a-thon event on the evening of Thursday, August 3.
Participants will learn how to use Project Sidewalk, an online tool for collecting sidewalk accessibility data. Participants will also learn about opportunities to become Accessibility Ambassadors to help advocate for safer and more equitable sidewalks in their own communities.
Register for the event at the link below and contact Devon Snyder at dsnyde8@uic.edu with any questions. This event is free to attend and can count towards service-learning or volunteer hours.
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Let IDOT know about your experience. How easy — or difficult — is it for you to get around?
What are barriers that prevent you from walking more? How easy (or difficult) is it for you to bike in your neighborhood?
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) wants to know about your experience walking, biking, and rolling in Illinois. IDOT is seeking public input through Tuesday, August 1.
An online survey takes about 10 minutes to complete, and it is also offered in Spanish. You can also head to an online map to pinpoint where you have encountered challenges walking biking, or rolling along state-maintained routes. The map also shows barriers and routes of improvements identified by others, which you can respond and react to.
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See how Metra aims to simplify its fare structure, then take the survey and have your voice heard
Metra is seeking public input on its proposed plan for 2024 that aims to simplify the fare structure for its commuter rail service.
Metra is aiming to change:
- Zones: The 10 fare zones would be discontinued and replaced with four zones.
- The 10-ride ticket: It would be replaced with a bundle of five day passes. The bundle would be available only on the Ventra app and priced the same as the 10-ride ticket.
- Incremental fares: The surcharge to travel beyond the zones indicated on the ticket would be discontinued. Riders would be required to buy a ticket valid for the trip they are taking.
You can take Metra's survey through Sunday, August 6. Metra also plans a virtual open house on Tuesday, July 25.
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You can comment on regional transportation investments that seek to help communities prosper
CMAP welcomes feedback from the public on four proposed programs to help communities prosper through transportation investments.
More than 65 projects — using more than $590 million in federal funds — are included in the proposal. Projects help the region’s infrastructure adapt to changes in climate and technology, and carefully target resources to improve quality of life for all residents.
The public can submit comments on the proposed programs through 4:00 p.m. Friday, August 11. Learn more about the projects and how to comment.
The proposal is funded by the regional Surface Transportation Program Shared Fund, Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program, Carbon Reduction Program, and locally programmed Transportation Alternatives Program.
The four programs help advance ON TO 2050, the region’s long-range plan, and its principles of inclusive growth, resilience, and prioritized investment. These investments in mobility options spur economic opportunity for communities with low incomes, people of color, and people with disabilities across northeastern Illinois.
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