Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning

08/12/2026

CMAP's own Victoria Barrett will moderate an upcoming Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations webinar.

As metropolitan planning organizations expand their work to understand and address traffic safety risks, safety pros have realized limitations of what we can learn from crash reports alone.

Partnerships with universities and public health professionals make it possible to better understand missing information and systemic traffic safety risks, by combining data sources and addressing traffic safety from an injury prevention angle.

The webinar starts at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 25.
Speakers include:
• Professor Mickey Edwards (University of Illinois at Springfield)
• Jennifer Martin, Injury and Violence Prevention Project Manager (Illinois Department of Public Health)

➤Register: https://ampo.org/events/environment-resiliency-interest-group-q3-meeting-3-758-482-237-105-337-915-298-693-452-701/

08/11/2026

It's a free event that will:
• explore strategies for developing competitive assessment and cleanup grant applications
• break down key sections of the EPA grant guidelines through expert-led presentations
• include interactive exercises to strengthen grant-writing approach
• feature practical tips to help an application stand out

Join KSU TAB for the Illinois Brownfield Grant Writing Strategies Workshop, a two-day virtual event focused on U.S. EPA Brownfields Grants for FY 2027.

The workshop is designed for local governments, regional districts and councils, land banks, nonprofits, grant writers, and others working to revitalize brownfields and support economic growth.

📅 September 2–3, 2026
💻 Virtual event
🔗 Register at https://www.ksutab.org/event/illinois-brownfield-grant-writing-strategies-workshop

08/10/2026

Underway in the Village of Franklin Park: a project that will transform the Grand Avenue Corridor.

🪏A groundbreaking event celebrated the Grand Avenue Green Infrastructure Project.

➤Coming soon: green infrastructure, new trees and native landscaping, streetscape improvements, enhanced pedestrian connectivity, and infrastructure designed to reduce localized flooding.

➤The details: The village received about $2 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds from Cook County to implement a project from their climate resiliency plan. They focused on Grand Avenue (from Louis Street to 25th Avenue). Improvements align with the recommendations from the Grand Avenue corridor plan.

📷In the photos: Village President Barrett Pedersen, Village Clerk April Arellano, Village Trustees Karen Special, Bill Ruhl, John Johnson, Andy Ybarra

📷In the photos: Village Engineer Tom McCabe, Director of Community Development and Zoning Nicholas Walny, Assistant Village Engineer Dafne Henriquez, CMAP Senior Planner Lily Brack, Senior Planner, Senior Village Planner Rudolph Repa

08/07/2026

Welcome to . Today we're highlighting our Summer Intern and Fellow Presentation series at the CMAP office.

Throughout the summer, interns and fellows had the opportunity to contribute to CMAP projects. The presentation series gave them the opportunity to share their work with staff, reflect on what they learned, and gain valuable experience presenting in a professional environment. It was a chance to celebrate their accomplishments and learn more about the impact they've made across the agency.

08/06/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us today, both in person and online, for CMAP’s public hearing on the draft 2026 Regional Transportation Plan, the Federal Fiscal Year 2027–32 Transportation Improvement Program, and the Air Quality Conformity Determination.

We appreciated hearing everyone's feedback and interest in these documents, which will help guide northeastern Illinois’ transportation future. Today’s hearing concludes the formal public engagement period. CMAP will now review the comments received and finalize the documents before presenting them to the CMAP Board and MPO Policy Committee for consideration in October

08/06/2026

Big plans, bright future — creating a stronger region
In our latest CMAP Update:
🪏A groundbreaking project that will make a huge difference in our region's railway system
💡Every session (so far) of the Catalyst Series, helping shape The Century Plan
💻Workshops, webinars, and surveys to learn about, explore, and weigh in on important topics

➤Read the CMAP Update: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/ILCMAP/bulletins/420da5d

08/05/2026

Our region’s ability to provide affordable, reliable, and clean energy in an increasingly electrified future will be critical to remaining globally competitive and meeting our climate goals.

It isn’t just about generating more electricity, but making the most of the infrastructure we already have and developing a smarter, more resilient grid.

is exploring how regional coordination can position northeastern Illinois for success. Read more in CMAP Executive Director Erin Aleman’s latest op-ed for Crain's Chicago Business.

The choices we make now will determine whether our region will thrive in a more electricity-dependent future.

08/04/2026

CMAP is proud of our ongoing partnership with the Village of Calumet Park — from supporting its 2020 Comprehensive Plan to our current work on a commercial corridor plan for Obama Drive (127th Street), Ashland Avenue, and Vermont Street.

Corridor plans help guide neighborhood growth by identifying transportation and infrastructure needs, setting community goals, and creating actionable strategies to bring potential projects to life.

This past weekend, our project team joined the Calumet Park Community Fest! We loved connecting with residents through interactive activities, surveys, and engaging conversations to gather insights on existing corridor conditions and explore future business opportunities.

Thank you to Calumet Park Mayor Ronald Denson and everyone who stopped by to share their vision for Calumet Park! CMAP team members included Jack Paul Rocha, Naomi Simmons, Asha Barnes.

➤Learn more about the plan: https://engage.cmap.illinois.gov/calumet-park-corridor-plan

08/03/2026

Climate experts were in the spotlight in Chicago at the Aspen Ideas Climate Conference.

CMAP team members were inspired by bold ideas and excellent presentations. Pictured: Jesse Altman, Kate Evasic, Aspen Walters, Claire Conzelmann. Also there: Nora Beck, Kelsey Pudlock.

➤Read our latest climate newsletter: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/ILCMAP/bulletins/41fce41

07/31/2026

IDOT's Traveler Opinion Survey is open through Tuesday, August 11.

Have thoughts on road conditions, ice and snow removal, planning priorities, electronic vehicles and more in Illinois? Let IDOT know!

The Traveler Opinion Survey is your chance to speak up and shape the future of transportation in our state. It’s quick, easy, and your input makes a real difference.

🕒 Takes less than 10 minutes
📅 Open through Tuesday, Aug. 11
👉 https://idot.click/take-the-survey

Your voice helps keep Illinois moving! For more details, visit http://prez.ly/NvLd.