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From the executive director |
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2025 marks 20 years of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) serving the 7 counties, 284 communities, and 8.6 million people in northeastern Illinois.
With the CMAP Board and our transportation, transit, and government partners and stakeholders across northeastern Illinois, we improve infrastructure, mobility, environment, the economy, and quality of life through strong planning, policy, research, and analysis — and leveraging the power of data and the story it tells.
I’m proud to share our 2024 Annual Report, which showcases our region’s successes.
CMAP works on behalf of the region to advance our region’s long-range plan — ON TO 2050 — which reflects the collective vision and priorities of our region and its communities, leaders, and people.
Our annual budget and workplan — recently approved by the CMAP Board for fiscal year 2026 starting June 1, 2025 — describes what we do per our federal and state mandated responsibilities, presents budget details including funding, revenues and expenses, and outlines activities the agency will continue or commence over the fiscal year.
We look forward to continuing to serve northeastern Illinois to make it a strong, thriving, and resilient region this year.
In gratitude and partnership,
Erin Aleman
CMAP executive director
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CMAP’s Advocacy Agenda details policy positions and priorities that will guide our region
In 2025, CMAP will mark its 20th anniversary. Over nearly two decades, we have worked with our federal, state, and local partners to make northeastern Illinois a stronger, more resilient place to live.
Our region remains one of the world’s greatest economic centers with a diverse workforce, vast multimodal transportation system, and abundant natural resources. Yet, it faces challenges from the need to adequately fund transportation, support resilience, and an increasingly competitive global economy with starker economic disparities.
CMAP’s 2025-2026 Advocacy Agenda details policy positions and priorities that can help the region address challenges, seize opportunities, and continue to thrive. Legislative priorities, at both the federal and state levels, detailed in the agenda include:
- Securing a dedicated annual appropriation from the state to support a wider range of technical assistance offerings — the region’s cities, villages, and counties will benefit for years to come with a modest investment in CMAP
- Sustainably funding transportation
- Developing stronger policies that enhance resilience and reduce emissions and congestion
- Increasing opportunities for comprehensive planning and economic development
- And more, with actionable steps, found in the latest agenda
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Securing Illinois’ groundwater future
Our state’s groundwater — long considered abundant — is under pressure. Aquifers are experiencing alarming levels of desaturation, creating challenges for communities that rely on them for drinking water.
CMAP's new groundwater report examines the Illinois 1983 Water Use Act, assesses the high-capacity well review process, and draws insights from groundwater governance practices in neighboring states.
CMAP offers recommendations to modernize Illinois’ approach:
- Expand the objectives of the Water Use Act to include long-term groundwater supply management
- Provide dedicated funding for the high-capacity well review process and streamline coordination among state agencies
- Improve water-use reporting systems with standardized data collection and compliance mechanisms to enhance planning efforts and transparency
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Paid internships available at CMAP
Students seeking a hands-on, professional experience can apply for a paid internship at CMAP. Interns are expected to work a hybrid schedule and they'll be paid $20 an hour. The program runs through the summer months.
We are seeking interns for:
- communications and engagement
- field data collection
- geographic information system
- information technology
- planning
- regional policy and implementation
- transportation improvement program
- transportation modeling
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Metropolitan Mayors Caucus helps municipalities find solutions to housing challenges
The Metropolitan Mayors Caucus has opened applications for free technical assistance in housing planning through Homes for a Changing Region. Since 2005, this program has helped over 60 municipalities identify solutions to housing challenges, create a balanced mix of housing types, and serve the needs of multiple generations of residents and workers.
This fast and highly targeted technical assistance provides: housing needs data analysis, discussions with local stakeholders, housing expert panels to brainstorm solutions, and a housing action plan identifying recommendations and existing grant funds for implementation.
The program is a good fit for municipalities grappling with important housing questions, including:
- Who lives in the community? Are they spending too much on housing?
- Can existing residents afford to stay here in years to come?
- What is the community’s capacity to accommodate future residents?
- Does this development proposal make sense for the community?
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Invest in Cook helps local governments and partners advance transportation projects
Applications are open for the 2025 Invest in Cook program. The $8.5 million grant program helps local government and agency partners cover some of the cost of planning and feasibility studies, engineering, right-of-way acquisition, and construction associated with transportation improvements.
The program prioritizes proposals that support transit and other transportation alternatives, support the region's role as North America's freight capital, promote equal access to opportunities, maintain and modernize what already exists, and increase investments in transportation.
Eligible applicants include local governments, regional transportation authorities, transit agencies, and natural resource or public land agencies, as well as any other local or regional governmental entity with responsibility for transportation or recreational trails within Cook County.
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Transforming Transit: RTA vision for the future
The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) released its new vision to shape the future of transit funding and governance.
Transforming Transit advocates for $1.5 billion in new annual operating funding from state and local sources to not only fill the budget gap but double down on service in ways that will increase ridership, stimulate the economy, and mitigate climate change.
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Meet CMAP's Board members
In the fourth installment of the CMAP Board spotlight, learn more about Mayor Gary Grasso, from the Village of Burr Ridge, who represents DuPage County on the CMAP Board.
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Tell us about yourself: why were you inspired to join the Board?
I’m a mayor, former DuPage County Board member, and former chairman of the DuPage County 911 Board. I was a regular train commuter for 30 years and believe strongly in the need for sound, reliable, and equitable transportation systems.
What are you hoping to accomplish?
Sustainable funding for upgrades and annual operations.
What is a hidden gem in your community?
Our many pathways for biking and walking.
What is a project you are working on right now?
Overseeing development of the CNH property, site of Harvester International that gave birth to Burr Ridge.
Have you received an award or honor that meant a great deal to you?
Repeat awards for budgeting and accounting and repeat CALEA certification for excellence and professionalism of our police department.
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