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A fairer system: coalition calls for sales tax modernization to strengthen Illinois' fiscal future
A diverse coalition of Illinois policy and civic leaders released Modernizing Illinois' Sales Tax: A Pathway to a Sustainable Future, highlighting the need to update the state’s outdated sales tax system.
The report outlines how expanding the tax base to include more consumer services — similar to neighboring states — could generate nearly $2 billion annually, providing critical funding for public transit, education, and local governments.
Advocates emphasize that modernization would create a fairer system, reduce revenue shortfalls, and ensure long-term financial stability. As Illinois faces mounting fiscal challenges, the report offers a framework for reform that balances economic competitiveness with sustainable public investment.
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Apply now: 10 ways the call for projects can help your community
Communities throughout northeastern Illinois can submit applications for planning support to make roads safer, increase accessibility, and improve connections for all users.
The online application covers different program offerings and asks interested applicants a series of questions to identify their project goals and strategies.
Communities can submit applications until noon on Friday, April 4. For questions about the application process, email applications@cmap.illinois.gov.
The planning assistance opportunities offered through the call support communities as they continue to collaborate, innovate, and plan for a more prosperous future.
Here are ten types of assistance that we’re excited to offer this year:
- ADA self-evaluation and transition plans
- Bicycle and pedestrian plans
- Capital improvement plans
- Corridor plans
- Grant readiness
- Housing readiness
- NEXT program (plan implementation)
- Pavement management plans
- Site planning pilot
- Transportation safety plans
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What's your vision? Help us create a more reliable, connected transportation system
What’s your vision for the future of transportation in northeastern Illinois?
The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) is working with communities and transportation partners across northeastern Illinois to develop the 2026 Regional Transportation Plan that will identify improvements in roadway, transit, bike, and pedestrian transportation. The plan will recommend how funding should be allocated for transportation projects.
Share how you get around and ways travel can be more convenient by completing the questionnaire. Together, we can create a more reliable, connected, and inclusive transportation system.
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Final batch of My Daily Travel household survey invitations heading out
The My Daily Travel household survey continues. Over the next couple of months, the last batch of survey invites will be going out to select addresses across the region.
CMAP is asking randomly selected households in northeastern Illinois to tell us how they get from place to place in our region.
To date, more than 2,000 households have completed our survey, helping work toward our goal of 4,000 responses. Please keep an eye out for an invitation in the mail to participate in the survey, should you be selected.
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 With the chair of CMAP’s Council of Mayors, City of Batavia Mayor Jeffery Schielke (left), CMAP Executive Director Erin Aleman (right) recognizes outgoing members of the Council — Tom Hayes and Karen Darch.
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Recognizing the outgoing members of the Council of Mayors Executive Committee
The Council of Mayors Executive Committee serves as an advisory body to the CMAP Board and MPO Policy Committee. It provides municipal expertise to inform, guide, and support our agency’s work.
At the committee's March meeting, Committee Chair and Batavia Mayor Jeffery Schielke and CMAP Executive Director Erin Aleman recognized outgoing members for their service to the agency and our region.
Outgoing members include Arlington Heights Village President Tom Hayes, Barrington Village President Karen Darch, Skokie Mayor George Van Dusen, and Northfield Village President Greg Lungmus. Thanks for your work helping northeastern Illinois.
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Looking into the future at engineering fest
What should the future look like? CMAP team members explored that question at the Chicago Architecture Center's Engineering Fest.
We were excited to talk with over 400 people about CMAP, our Regional Transportation Plan, and — most importantly — what our youngest residents want their future communities to look like. The kids had great ideas for the future!
CMAP was represented by Alex Gomez, Aspen Walters, Gabriel Guevara, Cassie Varrige, and Lawrence Landfair.
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 Bottom photo, from left to right: Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse, IDOT Secretary Gia Biagi, and CMAP Executive Director Erin Aleman.
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Historic moment: welcoming IDOT Acting Secretary Gia Biagi as MPO Policy Committee Chair
We extend a warm welcome to IDOT Acting Secretary Gia Biagi as chairperson of the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Policy Committee.
This group of transportation leaders makes decisions for all regional transportation plans and programs in northeastern Illinois.
Secretary Biagi joins a strong team of women leaders — Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse, who also serves as the MPO Policy Committee’s vice-chair, along with CMAP’s Executive Director Erin Aleman.
It's also a new chapter for Women's History Month. For the first time, all three of these leadership positions are held by women. Congratulations and thank you for serving as excellent role models!
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A dozen years on top: Chicago again ranked best metro for corporate relocation and investment
Chicago has been named the best metro in the U.S. for corporate relocation and investment by Site Selection Magazine, marking its 12th consecutive year at the top.
This ranking — based on project count — highlights northeastern Illinois' global economic strength, business-friendly environment, and deep talent pool.
Site Selection Magazine counted 582 total projects in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin area, nearly 100 more than second-place Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington in Texas.
These competitive advantages are championed by the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership — a collaboration between the city and seven surrounding counties (Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will) — to drive investment and business expansion across the region. CMAP set the work in motion for the partnership and World Business Chicago has managed it since 2023.
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Register now: UIC Urban Forum explores community engagement
Community engagement will be the focus for the University of Illinois Chicago Urban Forum 2025. The event takes place from 11:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., on Tuesday, April 8, at the UIC Student Center East.
Leaders from the private and public sectors will engage in discussions on how to work collectively to enhance and address future challenges.
Registration is open for The Power of Community Engagement: Building Bridges for Shared Impact, which will feature panel discussions, keynote talks, lightning talk presentations, networking, and more.
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It's the number to call when you don’t know who to call: 2-1-1 helpline connects people to vital resources
2-1-1 is a free and confidential helpline. It offers access to trained, local specialists who connect residents to food, housing, utility assistance, access to health care, and other vital resources.
The 211 helpline is offered throughout our region, and is available in English and Spanish. Calls and texts are anonymous and confidential. To connect, call 2-1-1 or text your zip code to TXT211 (or 898211).
Learn more about services offered in each county: Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will.
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Creative placemaking: support for community-led projects across Cook County suburbs
Cook County is investing in transformative community-led projects that leverage the arts to enhance the quality of life for suburban Cook County residents.
Creative placemaking integrates arts, culture, and design activities into efforts toward supporting social, physical, and economic change in communities. That might include renovating a historic theater, building affordable live-work spaces for artists, or transforming vacant lots into gathering places or community exhibition sites.
The deadline to apply to the Cook County Arts Creative Placemaking program is April 7.
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Highlighting safe — and fun — ways to get to school
Get ready to roll! The 14th annual National Walk, Bike & Roll to School Day is happening on May 7, and registration is now open.
This nationwide event encourages students, families, and school communities to celebrate the benefits of active transportation while promoting safety and sustainability.
Whether addressing the need to make routes to school safer for active trips or encouraging children and teens to be more active, Walk, Bike & Roll to School Day events can inspire lasting change.
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Meet CMAP's Board members
In the latest installment of the CMAP Board spotlight, learn more about Leanne Redden, executive director of the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA). Leanne represents the MPO Policy Committee on the CMAP Board.
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Tell us about yourself: why were you inspired to join the Board?
I have been a member of the CMAP Board since 2008 and have been honored to provide a voice for public transit in important regional conversations about transportation.
What are you hoping to accomplish?
Transit is the answer to many of the most urgent challenges facing our region and plays an essential role in the lives of millions of riders — but the system has been drastically underfunded for decades. I hope to continue to advocate for the importance of transit in regional planning and advance the needs of riders.
What is a hidden gem in your community?
I live in Schaumburg, and it is home to over 90 miles of beautiful multiuse trails that are perfect for cycling, walking, or running that I was part of creating when I was the village’s Director of Transportation many years ago.
What is a project you are working on right now?
The RTA is working to implement our strategic plan, Transit is the Answer, with a vision for safe, reliable, accessible public transportation that connects people to opportunity, advances equity, and combats climate change. The plan guides my work with leaders at the CTA, Metra, and Pace to improve transit for riders and advocate for a sustainable funding future for our region’s transit system.
Have you received an award or honor that meant a great deal to you?
I was recently named Vice Chair of the American Public Transit Association and I am honored to be part of the executive team for the next year as we continue to address challenges transit agencies all over the country are facing. I was most honored receive the Women Who Move the Nation award from the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) in 2016. COMTO is the nation’s only multimodal advocacy organization for minority professionals and businesses in the transportation industry.
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