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We’re starting 2026 with useful tools and collaborative partnerships that support accessibility, safety, housing, water, and transportation planning across northeastern Illinois. Have a project update or engagement opportunity to share? Please continue to share them with me at msobczak@cmap.illinois.gov. |
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Make no small plans I Project highlights |
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Accessibility in action across the region
More communities are making streets safer and more accessible for everyone.
In the past month — with technical assistance provided by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) — seven communities adopted ADA Public Right-of-Way Transition Plans. This marks a major step forward for accessibility across northeastern Illinois.
Why it matters:
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These plans help communities remove barriers by improving sidewalks, crossings, and other public right-of-way spaces
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Regional ADA compliance grew from 43 communities (18 percent) in 2024 to 51 communities (21 percent) by the end of 2025
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That’s a 132 percent increase in compliance overall since this work began in 2021
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241 of 284 communities in the region are required to have a plan
Steady progress like this helps ensure people of all abilities can travel safely and independently.
Newly adopted plans:
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Watch: Funding safety projects that save lives
How can local communities pay for traffic safety improvements?
CMAP and the DuPage Division of Transportation teamed up for a webinar on funding strategies that support safety action plan priorities.
What you’ll learn:
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How to pursue U.S. Department of Transportation discretionary safety grants
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State and regionally administered federal funding options
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Other funding sources for safety improvements
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Eligibility basics and what makes a strong, competitive project
While examples focus on DuPage County, the funding guidance applies to communities across the region working to implement safety action plans.
🎥 Watch the webinar
👉 Recent SS4A awards to McHenry County and the Village of Evergreen Park show how strong safety-focused applications can turn plans into funded projects.
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New workshop series on the region's shared water future
CMAP is launching Shared Waters, Shared Future, a five-part virtual workshop series starting February 2026. The series brings together community leaders, water utilities, planners, policymakers, and residents to explore strategies for long-term water sustainability.
What to expect:
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Five sessions focused on different aspects of water supply sustainability
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Practical approaches to coordination and resource management
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Support from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Office of Water
📅 First session: How water utilities and local governments can coordinate water management on Wednesday, February 18.
👉 Learn more about Shared Waters, Shared Future
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CMAP releases its 2025 Annual Report
CMAP published its 2025 Annual Report, highlighting how the agency and its partners are improving infrastructure, mobility, the environment, the economy, and quality of life across northeastern Illinois.
📘 Read the 2025 Annual Report
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See what transportation projects are happening near you
Local staff members now have an improved way to explore federally funded transportation projects across the region.
CMAP’s modernized eTIP map makes it easier for planners and community staff to see what’s funded, where, and when — helping inform local plans, coordination, and project development.
Why it’s useful for your work:
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View projects by location, type, funding source, and year
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Use “Projects by county” to understand activity near your community
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Access clearer information on project schedules, funding, and scope
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Strengthen coordination with neighboring communities and regional priorities
By improving visibility into regional investments, the tool also helps CMAP and its partners turn the ON TO 2050 comprehensive plan from vision into on-the-ground projects.
🔍 Explore the eTIP map
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CMAP shares long-term regional vision with Chicago leaders
CMAP Executive Director Erin Aleman spoke at a Realty Club of Chicago luncheon about The Century Plan — CMAP’s next long-range vision currently under development to guide the region over the coming 20–30 years — as well as ongoing work to address housing challenges.
The conversation focused on building consensus and bold commitments to shape a stronger future for northeastern Illinois.
👉 Learn more about The Century Plan
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Public input requested for CMAP's federal certification review
CMAP will undergo its federal metropolitan planning organization certification review at the end of January, a required four-year process conducted by Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration.
As part of the review, the public is invited to share input on CMAP’s transportation planning process in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties through February 10.
📝Complete the survey
🔍Lean more about the federal certification process
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Erin Aleman recognized for public service leadership
In December, CMAP Executive Director Erin Aleman, received the Motorola Solutions Foundation Excellence in Public Service Award, presented by the Civic Federation.
The award recognizes Illinois public servants who demonstrate leadership, innovation, and lasting impact. Erin was honored for her leadership on critical regional issues, including advancing solutions to Illinois’ transit challenges through CMAP’s Plan of Action for Regional Transit, which helped inform the recently enacted Northern Illinois Transit Authority Act.
👏 Congratulations, Erin, on this well-deserved recognition
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Strengthening housing choice across the region |
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New toolkit: Turning older homes into new housing opportunities
Housing rehab is one way that communities can help close the region’s housing gap.
A new toolkit highlights how improving and repairing existing homes can expand housing options in northeastern Illinois — especially where structures are underused, deteriorating, or no longer habitable.
Why it matters:
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Adds housing supply without new land consumption
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Addresses safety and structural issues
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Helps communities support affordability and neighborhood stability
The toolkit includes a StoryMap on rehab challenges and opportunities plus a curated set of resources to support local housing goals.
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 CMAP's Enrique Castillo (left) talks with Assistant Village Manager for Oak Park Jonathan Burch (right) at a Housing Lake County workshop.
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Housing Lake coalition moves from talk to action
Lake County’s regional housing effort is entering its next phase. CMAP and Lake County, with support from Schreiber Philanthropy, have convened over 200 leaders, developers, employers, nonprofits, and residents through the Housing Lake coalition to tackle local housing challenges.
What’s new:
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A recent workshop featured Jonathan Burch (Village of Oak Park) sharing lessons from housing work across the region
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The February housing summit will launch strategy development and implementation
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Coalition members will be invited to sign a non-binding resolution — a public commitment to advance housing solutions
👉 Learn more about the Housing Lake initiative
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