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CMAP and regional stakeholders finalize recommendations to address transit crisis
Transit is critical to northeastern Illinois' response to climate change. Our region currently is not on track to meet our greenhouse gas reduction targets.
Transit helps reduce congestion and enables more environmentally sustainable land use and development patterns. The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning's (CMAP) recent Greenhouse Gas Inventory found that transportation emissions have increased, largely due to more miles driven by cars and trucks. Without transit, the region will fail to meet its emission reduction goals and will exacerbate a rapidly changing climate.
The proposed Plan of Action for Regional Transit (PART) — a report with legislative recommendations to help address our current transit funding crisis — is in the final stages of development. The PART steering committee will provide input on recommendations to the CMAP Board and MPO Policy Committee in September for approval before sending to the legislature and governor by January 1.
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Responding to extreme weather |
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FEMA assistance available for Cook County residents and businesses affected by storms
Impacted Cook County residents and businesses can apply for disaster assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) by calling 800-621-3362, applying online at disasterassistance.gov, or using the FEMA app. The deadline to apply is Monday, October 16.
Disaster Survivor Assistance teams from FEMA are going door-to-door in Cook County communities, helping impacted residents navigate the federal assistance process. Disaster recovery centers will be open in Cook County for more opportunities for residents to engage with FEMA representatives on the disaster application process.
President Joe Biden declared Cook County a federal disaster area due to the damage from storms and flooding that happened from June 29-July 2.
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Extreme weather highlights need to plan for climate resilience
This summer has been a harsh reminder of the climate change impacts we face in northeastern Illinois. A summer that started with severe drought shifted to a July 2 storm that dumped rain on Cook County, leading to a federal disaster declaration. We've had hazardous air quality due to wildfire smoke from Canada, and now extreme heat and humidity are expected to make it feel up to 115 degrees Fahrenheit.
These are the kinds of weather events we can expect to see more of in the future due to climate change. Below, read CMAP's articles to learn more about some of these weather events — urban flooding and heat, drought, and air quality — and what communities can do to plan for them.
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Five Cook County communities will receive climate resiliency planning assistance
Cook County selected five municipalities to participate in the Climate Resiliency Planning for Communities Program: Bellwood, Franklin Park, Justice, Lynwood, and Markham. The program will help improve climate resiliency in these places through a community-driven planning and prioritization process. These five communities also will receive funds to implement portions of the plans, such as green infrastructure improvements, stormwater management, and renewable energy installations.
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Evanston selected for Cities Forward Program
Evanston has been selected as one of 24 cities to participate in Cities Forward — a program dedicated to assisting Latin American, Caribbean, and U.S. cities in creating sustainable, inclusive, and resilient futures through project consultation, co-design, and knowledge sharing. Evanston has been partnered with Renca, Chile.
"It is fitting to bring an international approach to this most global of issues," said Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, "And we enthusiastically look forward to sharing our ideas with and learning from Renca and the other communities engaged in the academy."
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Metropolitan Mayors Caucus announces second EV Readiness cohort
The Metropolitan Mayors Caucus announced the new cohort for its Electric Vehicle (EV) Readiness Program. The new cohort includes Batavia, Bensenville, Berwyn, DuPage County, Elgin, Evanston, Hickory Hills, Highland Park, Montgomery, Northbrook, Park Forest, Peotone, River Forest, Wilmette, and Woodstock.
The EV Readiness Program, now entering its second year, helps local governments prepare to meet the growing demand for EVs and EV charging infrastructure. The Mayors Caucus has been working with the first cohort of 16 communities to support safe and effective plans for regional transportation electrification. In addition to developing local plans and policies, the program also has helped position communities for funding opportunities.
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ComEd, Elevate, and Illinois Green Alliance win federal grant to support building decarbonization
The U.S. Department of Energy awarded a $4.5 million grant to expand building electrification in Illinois. The grant will support the launch of a new Chicago building performance hub — a collaboration by ComEd, Elevate, Illinois Green Alliance, and state and local partners to advance more sustainable building practices.
The hub will advise building owners and contractors, supporting them on compliance with advanced energy codes and building policies, such as building electrification.
CMAP's Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory found that nearly two-thirds of the region's emissions come from buildings, in the form of electricity or natural gas for heating and cooking.
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Northeast Illinois Salt Conference: Showcasing local experiences with winter maintenance practices
We may be in the middle of summer, but it's never too early to think about winter maintenance. On Tuesday, September 12, join road supervisors, public works directors, and other decision makers for the Northeast Illinois Salt Conference. The conference will showcase local experiences with cutting edge winter road maintenance practices. Topics will include route management, weather and pavement temperature forecasting, liquids, and more.
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Register for Salt Smart winter deicing workshops
The Salt Smart Collaborative hosts virtual deicing workshops for municipal and public works staff. During the webinars, you'll learn how to implement best management practices to reduce the amount of salt you use and address NPDES permit requirements. There are three workshops on roads — September 26, October 4, and October 10 — and two on parking lots and sidewalks — October 3 and October 17.
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Apply for HUD Green and Resilient Retrofit funding
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is accepting proposals through the Green and Resilient Retrofit Program. The program provides HUD-assisted multifamily housing owners with direct loans and grants to reduce carbon emissions, make utility efficiency improvements, incorporate renewable energy sources, and make properties more resilient against the effects of climate change.
HUD has three paths (cohorts) of funding to meet property needs at all stages of redevelopment. Each cohort has four funding rounds.
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Comprehensive Cohort: provides funding to properties in high need of utility efficiency and climate resilience. Comprehensive awards are designed for the widest range of properties, including those without a recapitalization plan. Next application deadline: Thursday, August 31.
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Elements Cohort: provides gap funding to properties amid a recapitalization transaction that includes utility efficiency, renewable energy, carbon emission reduction, and/or climate resilience measures. Next application deadline: Thursday, September 28.
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Leading Edge Cohort: provides funding to owners with ambitious plans involving carbon reduction, renewable energy generation, use of building materials with lower embodied carbon, and resilience goals through achieving an advanced green certification. Next application deadline: Tuesday, October 31.
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Lake County Stormwater Management Commission accepting project proposals
The Lake County Stormwater Management Commission (SMC) is accepting project proposals for the Watershed Management Board Program and the SMC Countywide Illinois EPA Section 319 Program. Applications are due by 2:00 p.m. Friday, September 8.
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MWRD accepting pre-applications for Green Infrastructure Program
The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) of Greater Chicago is accepting pre-applications for the Green Infrastructure Program. Through this program, MWRD partners with local government organizations to help pay for the construction of green infrastructure. You must submit a pre-application by Sunday, December 31, to be considered for the Green Infrastructure Program. MWRD will review pre-applications and contact you with any questions and feedback.
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IEPA offering green infrastructure funding
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency's (IEPA) Green Infrastructure Grant Opportunities Program funds projects to build green infrastructure that prevents, eliminates, or reduces water quality impairments by decreasing stormwater runoff into Illinois' rivers, streams, and lakes. Applications are due by noon on Wednesday, October 18.
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