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A big business lunch, a powerful presentation, and center stage with The Century Plan
It's been an exciting few months for the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP)!
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We partnered with our friends at World Business Chicago and the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership to host a luncheon for 75+ international executives — the third iteration of SelectCHI.
- We released the draft Regional Transportation Plan for public comment.
- We convened a subject matter expert panel discussion with leaders from ComEd, Illinois Commerce Commission, Pure Lithium, and the Power Bureau. It focused on grid modernization, long-range grid planning, and how regional collaboration can accelerate progress toward a more resilient and prosperous future
- We'll witness the creation of the new Northeastern Illinois Transportation Authority Board this fall.
- And we continue to make progress developing The Century Plan, the next long-term, strategic plan for northeastern Illinois. We focused on convening business, civic, government, philanthropic, neighborhood, council, and academic partners around themes of climate resilience, water, and transportation. It has been great seeing — and meeting — so many of you and learning about your priorities.
I found the insights into our water systems particularly consequential. As CMAP Executive Director Erin Aleman wrote in Crain’s Chicago Business, our water advantage is not self-sustaining. Lake Michigan’s abundance has propelled our growth and shaped our identity. Access to the lake is a strength, but it operates within a fixed legal allocation and growing demand pressures. Long-term reliability will depend on how well we plan, coordinate, and invest — not just in what we have. Complexities of this natural resource reinforce the need for durable regional partnerships that are at the center of The Century Plan.
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The catalysts: voices helping to prioritize what northeastern Illinois needs to thrive in the future
CMAP's Catalyst Series is directly shaping The Century Plan, a long-term vision for a better, stronger northeastern Illinois.
On behalf of the region, CMAP is leading this initiative, which invites voices across government, civic spheres, business, and communities to prioritize what the region will need to thrive decades into the future.
Through the Catalyst Series, we've explored:
➤ Driving Change: A Regional Dialogue on Transportation for the Next Century, which focuses on northeastern Illinois' transportation infrastructure and the significant challenges it faces in the future, as well as how regional leaders are coming together to plan for solutions.
➤ Great Lakes, High Stakes: Managing Our Water Advantage, part of Chicago Water Week and presented by Current, which discusses the advantage that Lake Michigan gives our region: abundant, clean drinking water that has powered our growth and shaped our identity. But threats loom over the next several decades, and we must work together to solve them.
➤ Comprehensive Climate Action Plan for Greater Chicago, which outlines a practical pathway to a more sustainable future. Achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions will also depend on regional leaders' collective action and efforts.
➤ Planning and navigating tensions in the new industrial age, which gives the region a lot to build and plan for as development expands and accelerates across northeastern Illinois. This robust discussion covers land use and the work and coordination needed to ensure that our region grows and thrives.
➤ Housing Lake moves from conversation to commitment, as Lake County leads the way through a collaborative approach to housing challenges. Stakeholders from across public, private, nonprofit, and community sectors listen, learn, and build a shared vision for the future of Lake County’s housing.
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Powering our economy: perspectives on the future of our electric grid
We rely on electricity to power our lives and the economy, as well as support climate resilience. As demand on the electric grid grows, there is an emergent need to plan for its future. We're grateful for experts who joined a recent CMAP Board meeting to talk about this critical issue.
Who joined us:
- Desislava Dikova, Policy and Grant Manager, Pure Lithium
- Stacey Paradis, Commissioner, Illinois Commerce Commission
- Andrew C. Plenge, Vice President of Strategy and Energy Policy, ComEd
- Mark Pruitt, Principal at the Power Bureau and Adjunct Professor at Northwestern University’s Master of Science in Energy and Sustainability Program
What they had to say: Panelists shared perspectives on current modernization efforts, long-range grid planning, and how regional collaboration can accelerate progress toward a more resilient and prosperous future.
Why it matters: A clean, reliable grid is essential to so many areas that contribute to regional resilience and success: housing, transit, economic competitiveness, and climate resilience.
👉 Watch the panel discussion
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Housing readiness in action: Kane County approves plan that addresses the demand for housing
Kane County has taken a major step toward addressing the demand for housing: its Board voted to adopt the Kane County Housing Readiness Action Plan.
What does it mean to be housing ready?
- Clear and navigable development procedures
- Access to funding and financing to make deals work
- Collaboration between public, private, and nonprofit sector stakeholders
- Community engagement and education on housing issues
- Zoning regulations and design standards allowing for a variety of housing types, especially near economic opportunities and transportation infrastructure
How did it come together?
CMAP and Kane County collaborated on this policy. This included a two-part panel series with ULI Chicago, to learn from developers who work across Kane County and northeastern Illinois to expand housing supply and provide options that meet local needs.
Housing readiness looks different for each community.
For communities looking to implement the plan, there's a housing readiness checklist that:
- Serves as a guide to place communities in a more advantageous position to remove barriers and add to the housing supply at local and regional levels.
- Regulatory barriers can include building codes, inspections, entitlement processes, and zoning. Working on these can clear the way for housing that meets the needs of residents through all stages of life and household budgets.
- Can be adapted by each community, with its own optimal set of actions to attain the level of housing readiness that makes the most sense for residents and neighborhoods.
👉 Read the entire Kane County Housing Readiness Action Plan
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The many benefits of doing business here: SelectCHI welcomes international delegation
CMAP welcomed an international delegation of more than 50 business leaders at our office as part of the SelectCHI tour. The Chicagoland Regional Networking Luncheon put a spotlight on our region’s workforce, its diverse economy, and the many benefits of doing business here.
What it is: Organized by World Business Chicago, SelectCHI brings together company representatives from around the world. With the theme of You Belong Here, it’s designed for international companies in clean technology, energy, and food and beverage industries looking to invest or establish an office in northeastern Illinois.
Who spoke:
- Mason Awtry, CEO, Wurkwel Ventures
- Greg Bedalov, President and CEO, Choose DuPage
- Kevin Considine, President and CEO, Lake County Partners
- Alex Iseri, Director of Economic Development, World Business Chicago
- Hannah Loftus, Vice President for Research, World Business Chicago
- Dain Meza-Gotto, Director of Workforce Development, Joliet Junior College
- Meredith O'Connor, Leader for Economic Incentives and National Site Selection Division, JLL
- Kyle Schulz, Director of Strategic Advancement, CMAP
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McHenry County Connections: economic development, tourism, entrepreneurship, and collaboration in action
The McHenry County Economic Development Corporation team partnered with Naturally McHenry County for a McHenry County Connections event, celebrating partnerships, collaboration, and initiatives that strengthen the county's vitality and quality of life.
- Huntley Mayor Timothy Hoeft shared insights on the village's economic impact initiatives and the innovative Shops on Main business incubator program, which continues to support entrepreneurs and local business growth within the community.
- Jaki Berggren, Executive Director of Naturally McHenry County, and Mark Piekos, Executive Director of McHenry County Economic Development Corporation, shared the impact that tourism, economic development, and business have on the region and reinforced the importance of collaboration.
- Attendees also tested their knowledge through county-themed trivia.
👉 Subscribe to McHenry County newsletters
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Ready to grow: kicking off Kane County's Economic Development Corporation
The Kane County Economic Development Corporation (Kane County EDC) is officially up and running. It's a business-led, public-private partnership dedicated to advancing coordinated economic growth across the region. Based in downtown Batavia, Kane County EDC is focused on helping existing businesses thrive, attracting new investment, improving site readiness, connecting employers to workforce resources, and expanding opportunities across 29 municipalities.
👉 Learn more about the Kane County EDC
👉 Sign up for Kane County Connects
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Funding transit-oriented development in the suburbs: panel explores how to unlock opportunities
Join the Metropolitan Planning Council on Wednesday, July 29, for a conversation with leaders at the forefront of transit-oriented development (TOD).
The session — Transit & Real Estate Talks: How do we fund TOD in the suburbs? — will explore:
- The financial and regulatory barriers communities face
- Innovative funding tools that can help unlock development opportunities
- Lessons learned from implementing TOD projects across northeastern Illinois
The panel will feature:
- Amanda M. Orenchuk, AICP, Director of Community Development, Village of Mundelein
- Gina Fridberg, Executive Vice President, Wintrust Commercial Real Estate
- Michael J. Cassady, Village Manager, Village of Mount Prospect
- Richard Filler, President and COO, Harlem Irving Companies, Inc.
The discussion takes place from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on July 29 at Mount Prospect Village Hall, 50 S Emerson St. Following the event, there will be an optional networking session with panelists, followed by a walking tour of TOD sites in Mount Prospect.
👉 Sign up today for the event
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Navigating an evolving economy: 16th annual DuPage County Regional Business Outlook
The 16th annual DuPage County Regional Business Outlook brought together more than 600 business and civic leaders. Under the theme Navigating an Evolving Economy, the event featured actionable insights and valuable perspectives on the evolving business climate and what businesses and organizations should be doing today to prepare for tomorrow.
Among the highlights:
- Deborah Conroy, Chair of the DuPage County Board, welcomed the group and provided a local snapshot of the DuPage economy
- Abiel Reinhart, Senior Economist at J.P. Morgan, delivered the economic outlook
- Tim Killeen, President of the University of Illinois System, provided the business outlook
👉 Read more about the DuPage County Regional Business Outlook
🎙️ DuPage Business Beat: Listen to the Choose DuPage podcast for more insights from the county and beyond
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Will County's mid-year update: Eye Opener Breakfast
A sold-out crowd helped the Will County Center for Economic Development (CED) celebrate the Eye Opener Breakfast, an annual update on state of the county's economy. With more than 400 registered attendees, the event brought together business leaders, elected officials, community partners, and stakeholders from across the region.
Among the highlights:
- Attendees heard insights from the CED’s housing study, highlighting significant investments.
- Doug Pryor, President & CEO of the Will County CED, provided a comprehensive update on major developments, strategic initiatives, and critical economic indicators.
👉 Learn more about the Will County CED
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A snapshot in Lake County: annual report puts focus on collaboration and innovation
The Lake County Partners 2025 Annual Report provides a snapshot of the growth, collaboration and innovation that defines the county as a destination for business and talent.
Among the highlights:
- Over the last 5 years, Lake County Partners fueled $1.83 billion in direct capital investment, drove the creation of 4,033 new jobs, and kept 2,751 existing jobs in the county.
- Housing Lake convened more than 175 stakeholders — including municipalities, developers, employers, and nonprofits — to create a collaborative roadmap for expanding attainable housing across the county.
- Businesses expanded, communities invested, and leaders worked together to create new pathways for talent and growth.
👉 Explore the annual report
👉 Subscribe to Lake County Partners emails
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Faces of the Regional Transportation Plan: how reliable infrastructure and freight movement support jobs
Get to know Jeanette, who's featured in our Faces of the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) series.
What's Jeanette's story? She's the president of a family-owned construction and hauling company, and sees firsthand how reliable infrastructure and freight movement support jobs, businesses, and the regional economy.
What's the RTP? CMAP is developing the RTP — a long-term blueprint for how our region invests in and improves its transportation system over the coming decades.
What's the connection? This story reflects the people behind the work to preserve and modernize northeastern Illinois’ transportation system.
👉 Watch the video
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Bold, visionary projects: World Business Chicago announces finalists for Horizon Lines
This year, World Business Chicago asked Chicagoans to imagine bold, visionary projects that are grounded in real opportunity. Nearly 200 submissions later, six finalists emerged.
Take a closer look: The finalists and runners-up are on display at the Chicago Cultural Center through September 20. Public feedback is open through July 24. The winner will be announced September 15.
Which projects are finalists:
- AgriFlats combines a business incubator with Dutch-style controlled environment agriculture to provide aspiring growers with a greenhouse and attached live-work unit.
- The Third Frontage has the potential to become an intricate civic layer of housing, nature, sustainability infrastructure, and bustling neighborhood life.
- Repairing the Scars of the Interstate Highway Era would cap highways and reunite Chicago’s South and West sides.
- Green City Rising would develop a living network of neighborhood arboreta.
- Wonderways! reimagines Chicago’s boulevards as a network of climate commons.
- Re-Loop is equal parts open-air market, living gallery, and civic stage.
👉 Get to know the six Horizon Lines finalists
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