Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning

05/29/2026

Meet our , Hyunseo Kim (he/him)! Hyunseo is the transportation improvement program intern in the research, analysis, and programming (RAP) division.

He’s an upcoming senior at The Ohio State University, majoring in city and regional planning with a minor in computer science.

Hyunseo is excited to work at an MPO in one of the largest metropolitan regions in the country and gain exposure to regional planning projects. This summer, he hopes to deepen his expertise in comprehensive transportation planning and better understand how agencies address complex planning challenges.

He plans to carry the knowledge and skills he develops at CMAP into practical planning work after his internship.

Fun fact: Hyunseo served 18 months in the Demilitarized Zone as a reconnaissance soldier in the Korean Army!

Welcome to the team, Hyunseo! We're glad to have you!

05/28/2026

We're recognizing a team that worked to learn and implement our new online platform for our transportation improvement program — the eTIP.

We're continuing to celebrate CMAP's . This team was led by K**a Dobbs and includes Sarah Stolpe, Jon Haadsma, Hayden Horton, Doug Ferguson, Jen Miller, Richard Norwood,, and Russell Pietrowiak.

To support eTIP users, the team developed written and recorded training materials and conducted more than 20 training sessions for staff of the agency’s partners. This data about transportation projects is now more easily accessible to the public and to our partners.

05/28/2026

Meet our , Mallory LaPlante (she/her)! Mallory is a communications and engagement intern at CMAP.

She’s a graduate student at DePaul University studying Digital Communications & Media Arts and holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Michigan State University.

Mallory is excited to support the Future Leaders in Planning (FLIP) program and dive deeper into regional planning and the stories behind it. She plans to apply her experience by growing her skills in digital content, internal and external communications, and managing communications projects from start to finish.

Fun fact: Mallory has visited four Hawaiian Islands!

Welcome to the team, Mallory! We're happy to have you!

05/27/2026

In the latest edition of the CMAP Update, we're:
🏆Celebrating CMAP team members with Public Service Awards
🚲Observing National Bike Month and the importance of investing in reliable transit
🗓️Preparing for the Transport Chicago conference
👉Read it now: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/ILCMAP/bulletins/419031f

05/27/2026

Meet our , Wesley Nay (he/him)! Wesley is a regional policy and implementation (RPI) intern.

He’s a graduate student in city planning at the University of Pennsylvania, focusing on housing, community, and economic development.

At CMAP, Wesley is excited to learn more about how the region’s transportation and economic infrastructure connect and to apply his planning and policy skills to the update of CMAP’s long-term regional plan.

He hopes to return to his hometown of Chicago after grad school and use his experience to help address economic, infrastructure, and housing inequalities across the region.

Fun fact: Wesley was born in a rural village in the Central Highlands of Vietnam and lived there until he was 7!

Welcome to the team, Wesley! We're happy to have you!

05/26/2026

We're honoring a CMAP teammate who balances the need to provide clear leadership and guidance while empowering project teams to conduct exploratory research and propose solutions.

We're continuing to celebrate CMAP's . Ryan Thompto leads his work with collaborative spirit, bringing together people from across the agency and partners from throughout our region.

Ryan looks for consensus, generating enthusiasm, building a sense of collective ownership over regional transportation planning.

05/22/2026

Our latest transportation newsletter is out. It highlights:
• Local communities were selected for Illinois Safe Routes to School funding to help students walk and bike to school more safely.
and
• CMAP's latest analysis of My Daily Travel survey data shows how regional travel habits are changing post-pandemic

And also:
• Congratulations to the Chicago Transit Authority on breaking ground on the long-awaited Red Line Extension,
• It’s Infrastructure Week, the perfect time to meet Jeanette, the president of a family-owned construction and hauling company

Read it now: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/ILCMAP/bulletins/41780d8

05/20/2026

We're honoring a team that worked to prepare our agency and our federal partners for official federal certification.

We're continuing to celebrate CMAP's . This team was led by Martin Menninger and includes Doug Ferguson, Joan Smedinghoff, K**a Dobbs, Richard Norwood, Sarah Stolpe, and Teri Dixon.

They worked for certification that CMAP's transportation planning process complies with federal regulations. The team coordinated and prepared exhaustive documentation, audited and updated webpages, and published a public comment form for the certification review.

05/20/2026

May is , and it's a great time to meet Bailey.

Bailey’s commute combines biking and transit to travel between Chicago and the suburbs — showing us how connected transportation options can expand access to jobs and destinations across northeastern Illinois.

As CMAP develops the 2026 Regional Transportation Plan, stories like Bailey’s help illustrate the importance of investing in reliable transit, safer bikeways, and stronger regional connections.

Bailey Werner's commute from Chicago's near northwest side to Libertyville shows how stronger connections can expand access to opportunity across northeaster...

05/19/2026

CMAP is pleased to announce Catherine McKenna has earned the credential of Human Resources Certified Professional.

It is a distinguished credential that demonstrates deep human resources expertise and commitment.