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You can help make streets safer for everyone
Residents across the region can make a real difference improving traffic safety by pinning troublesome areas on a digital map that will help inform countywide safety action plans.
It’s a big region, so we need your help to show and tell us the roads that need safety improvements.
Romeoville Mayor John Noak who also serves on the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning Board representing Will County shares his experience using the safety hotspot map. Watch the one-minute video linked below.
We need your help:
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Visit the Safe Travel for All website (and your county page linked within) to place pins on the traffic safety hotspots map, take the survey, view upcoming event details, and more.
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Municipalities, police departments, and local organizations: Please use your platforms to encourage residents to participate. Check out our social media and newsletter content templates for customizable text and images.
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Join us for an upcoming meeting!
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 At left: Lindsay Bayley (left) and Vickie Barrett (right) spoke at a luncheon presented by the Illinois section of the Institute of Transportation Engineers.
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The road to safety: programs that can save lives
How can our region's roadways become safer for all? CMAP's own Lindsay Bayley and Vickie Barrett spoke about programs that can save lives during a presentation to the Illinois section of the Institute of Transportation Engineers.
Lindsay Bayley, the program lead for the Safe Travel for All program, which aims to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries in northeastern Illinois.
Vickie Barrett, a senior transportation planner, spoke about CMAP's Speed Management report and how reducing vehicle speeds is critical to improving traffic safety.
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Register for CMAP's Regional ADA Coordinators Group
CMAP is excited to launch the newest initiative in our Accessible Communities program: the Regional ADA Coordinators Group. This group is for municipal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) coordinators or others interested in learning more about this federally required role. It will connect ADA coordinators from across the region with each other, as well as resources and training.
Join us for the first meeting of CMAP's Regional ADA Coordinators Group!
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More than $385 million available for roadway, transit, and bike and pedestrian projects
Applications for federal transportation dollars to help fund local roadway, transit, bike and pedestrian projects across northeastern Illinois are now being accepted until 5:00 p.m. on December 20.
Every two years, communities and transportation agencies can submit projects through the call for projects, which aligns with the federal fiscal year. This call is for 2026-2030 and includes $385 million in available funds.
As the region’s designated metropolitan planning organization, CMAP evaluates applications under these federal programs: Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) program, Surface Transportation Program Shared Fund (STP Shared Fund), Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP), and Carbon Reduction Program (CRP).
Programming of federal funds through the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is one of CMAP’s primary MPO responsibilities. The TIP is the region’s five-year program for putting the long-range plan into action and includes more than 2,000 transportation projects across the counties and municipalities.
CMAP created a series of fact sheets, organized by funding program, to help clarify eligible project types, requirements, scoring criteria, and milestone dates.
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March of Dimes honors Executive Director Erin Aleman with public service award
The March of Dimes recognized CMAP Executive Director Erin Aleman, awarding her the Leadership in the Public Sector award at its 2024 Construction & Transportation Luncheon.
The Construction & Transportation Awards have served as an opportunity to recognize local leaders and projects that have made a tremendous difference in our region's infrastructure and community, while supporting March of Dimes and the mission to fight for the health of moms and babies.
CMAP helps support families by coordinating regional transportation, economic, environmental, and land use planning to provide safe, accessible, and efficient mobility for communities. By prioritizing projects that improve access to essential services, such as healthcare, education, and employment, CMAP contributes to the overall well-being and quality of life for families.
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Meet CMAP's Board members
In the second installment of the CMAP Board Spotlight, learn more about Nina Idemudia, the chief executive officer of the Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT). Nina represents Chicago on the Board.
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Tell us about yourself: why were you inspired to join the Board?
I’m deeply passionate about advancing equitable, sustainable planning, and my personal background being from Detroit has shaped my commitment to these goals.
Prior to my role as CEO of CNT, I worked in various government positions in Los Angeles and Chicago, where I focused on urban planning and community development. These experiences showed me the importance of ensuring that government policies truly serve the communities they’re meant to uplift.
Joining CMAP’s Board felt like a natural extension of this work, allowing me to apply my skills to elevate inclusive, data-driven policies that address regional challenges. The opportunity to shape a more equitable Chicago metropolitan area truly inspired me to take on this role.
What are you hoping to accomplish?
My main goal is to advance strategic alignment between planning efforts and the lived experiences of marginalized communities. I hope to leverage my role to expand access to equitable transit options and further operationalize equity in infrastructure projects. Additionally, I aim to enhance collaboration between local governments and community-based organizations (CBOs) through capacity building, a key priority in my work with CNT.
What is a hidden gem in your community?
A hidden gem in my community is a restaurant in Archer Heights called Solazo. It’s a cozy spot that serves incredible food, and it really embodies the diverse, vibrant culture of the neighborhood. Solazo is a place where people from all walks of life come together, and it’s become a staple for those who know about it. It’s one of those places that reminds you how food can bring a community together.
What is a project you are working on right now?
Right now, I’m leading CNT’s Visionary Voices event series, which brings together diverse community and industry leaders to discuss critical issues in urban planning and policy. This series is designed to spark dialogue on topics such as sustainable development, equitable transit, and climate resilience, while also highlighting the voices of women and other underrepresented groups in the field. Each event fosters collaboration between community advocates, policymakers, and planners, driving new, forward-thinking approaches to the challenges our cities face. It’s been incredibly rewarding to see the momentum build as we create space for these important conversations.
Have you received an award or honor that meant a great deal to you?
Being named to Crain’s Chicago Business’ 40 Under 40 class of 2024 at the age of 34 is a significant honor. It affirmed my commitment to pushing boundaries in urban planning and highlighted the importance of elevating Black women in leadership roles.
This recognition is especially meaningful as it represents the rise of millennial leaders who are reshaping industries and championing equity, innovation, and sustainability. It’s not just about individual success, but about the collective impact we’re making as a generation committed to systemic change.
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UIC's Urban Transportation Center study seeks employer perspectives on hybrid work
What's your perspective on hybrid work? A study by the Urban Transportation Center at the University of Illinois Chicago will explore employers' opinions on sustained hybrid work practices in the mid- to long-term.
If you have a leading role in a private or public organization as a corporate executive or as a human resources or project manager, the study seeks your insights. All responses are confidential.
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Take the survey: tell IDOT what you think about the state's public transportation system
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) wants to know how you feel about the state’s public transportation system.
IDOT’s Next Move Illinois project is creating a strategic vision through the 2026 Statewide Public Transportation Plan. You can share insights on public transportation needs, concerns, and priorities.
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 CMAP Executive Director Erin Aleman (center), was joined at the gala by Claire Williams (deputy executive director of people and operations) (left) and John Carpenter (director of intergovernmental affairs) (right).
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Metropolitan Mayors Caucus gala brings region's leaders to Wrigley Field
The Metropolitan Mayors Caucus (MMC) brought the party to Wrigley Field, celebrating its annual gala at the home of the Cubs.
After a five-year, pandemic-driven hiatus, the MMC welcomed mayors, partners, and friends from across northeastern Illinois. Municipal leaders met up with state, county, and corporate officials, and all could enjoy tours of Wrigley Field.
The MMC was founded in 1997. It aims to bring together officials from our region's cities, towns, and villages to push past geographical boundaries and local interests to work on public policy issues.
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 Among the gala attendees were Neil James, executive director of the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus (left) and Toni Preckwinkle, president of the Cook County Board (right).
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