Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning

09/04/2026

Featured in the Daily Herald: CMAP Executive Director Erin Aleman writes that the proposed merger of Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern could create valuable opportunities. But northeastern Illinois should not be expected to carry its costs without clear returns.
➤Read Erin's perspective on why northeastern Illinois needs a strong, united voice: https://cmap.illinois.gov/news-updates/chicago-carries-the-nations-freight-merger-must-carry-its-weight/

09/03/2026

The CMAP team showed up for the Illinois Department of Transportation Fall Planning Conference in Normal.

Pictured are: Jaemi Jackson, Doug Ferguson, Richard Norwood, Kate Evasic, Julie Reschke, Jen Miller, Ryan Thompto, Hayden Horton, Noah Harris, Ryan Gougis

🎤Jaemi, Kate, and Noah were among the speakers.
➤Kate and Noah were part of the lineup for Resiliency in Transportation Planning.
➤Jaemi helped highlight the Walk.Roll.Illinois Active Transportation Plan

09/02/2026

How can transportation and housing transportation, housing, climate, and public space be more intentionally aligned through long-term planning and policy?

CMAP Executive Director Erin Aleman joined transportation leaders from throughout the Midwest on a recent trip to the Netherlands. They experienced the Dutch approach to proximity, affordability, and livability.

Regionwide systems like transportation and housing are deeply connected and impacted by shifts like aging and affordability. The Century Plan is looking at the system-level challenges facing our region and bringing together leaders across diverse sectors to prioritize and plan for a stronger, better future for all people in northeastern Illinois.

08/28/2026

We are pleased to announce that Ryan Thompto is the new director of CMAP’s Regional Policy and Implementation (RPI) division.

Ryan has been with CMAP for six years. He began his CMAP tenure as a senior analyst and was quickly promoted to principal.

Leading the Transportation Investment Strategies program, Ryan is laser focused on a truly collaborative approach to crafting and implementing policies that more directly tie the region’s transportation investment decisions to its priorities.

08/28/2026

Thank you to the 100-plus people who joined CMAP on August 26 for the Berwyn-Riverside Railroad Grade Crossing Study public meeting.

📷Happy ! Today, we're highlighting community engagement in City of Berwyn and Village of Riverside.

🚆Community members reviewed potential solutions for seven BNSF railroad crossings, from Delaplaine Road to Ridgeland Avenue, including Harlem Avenue. Attendees also spoke with the project team about safety, mobility, travel delays, emergency access, and community impacts.

💻40 people completed comment forms, and we have already received additional comments by email.

➤Learn more about the project and see the alternatives that were ranked best in the study evaluation: https://engage.cmap.illinois.gov/berwyn-riverside-crossings

👉The meeting launched a 30-day public comment period. If you could not attend or have more to share, please submit comments by September 25, 2026:
• Email: [email protected]
• Mail: CMAP, Attn: Tom Murtha, Project Manager, 433 W. Van Buren Street, Suite 450, Chicago, IL 60607
Comments received by the deadline will become part of the official record.

08/27/2026

CMAP's Community Data Snapshots can help local governments prepare for public meetings, open houses, and the early stages of planning projects.

Our own team members rely on that information, too. In our latest data newsletter, get a glimpse of how the River Grove data snapshot was used to create an informational poster for an outreach event.

➤Read the newsletter: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/ILCMAP/bulletins/4268e14

08/26/2026

Got a My Daily Travel survey in the mail? 📬 Here's what to do next!

Welcome to , a feature that spotlights one of our current projects and shares a bit more about what we're doing in our region. Today, we're featuring My Daily Travel.

If your household was invited to participate, check out the code in your letter and head over to MyDailyTravelSurvey.com to get started. Your response helps us better understand how people get around northeastern Illinois!

08/25/2026

The project eliminates one of our region’s most congested rail bottlenecks

We’re proud to announce that the Forest Hill Flyover, part of the Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency Program (CREATE) Program, has earned top honors in the safety category for large projects at America’s Transportation Awards!

This project transformed one of Chicago’s busiest rail bottlenecks by adding an elevated rail corridor and new tracks, separating trains from vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic. The result: safer streets, less noise, reduced emissions, and improved reliability for first responders—all while keeping $652 billion in goods moving through Chicago by rail each year.

Congratulations to our IDOT team and CREATE partners for delivering these improvements and making a real difference for Illinois and beyond. Learn more: http://prez.ly/0PMd

08/24/2026

How we're tackling flood challenges, a survey's next phase, and a job opportunity! All are part of our latest data updates news.
• How CMAP's Community Data Snapshots support local planning and public engagement
• CMAP is hiring! We're seeking a GIS architect to join our growing Technology, Data, & Applications team.
• Phase two of the My Daily Travel regional travel survey is underway.
➤Read the newsletter: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/ILCMAP/bulletins/4268e14

08/21/2026

Don’t miss CMAP’s virtual workshop on September 10.

• Learn how Illinois' high-capacity well impact review process works
• Explore how other states approach similar challenges
• Examine the factors that influence effective implementation

Speakers include:
⭐Michael Anderson, environmental engineer senior, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Water Supply Engineering Section
⭐Nora Beck, principal policy analyst, CMAP
⭐Gary Clark, P.E., retired director, Illinois Department of Natural Resources Office of Water Resources
⭐James Milne, water use unit supervisor, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy

➤Register now: https://cmap.illinois.gov/focus-areas/climate/water/water-supply-workshops/