Metropolitan Planning Council

Homes for a Changing Region Northwest Suburban workshops

aranieri@metroplanning.org (Ariel Ranieri) — Thu, 31 May 2012 12:00:00 CST

Interactive public workshops in Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Mount Prospect, Palatine and Rolling Meadows will shape future housing planning Through the "Homes for a Changing Region" project, five northwest suburban communities will engage the public around strategies to meet each community’s future housing needs. The public is encouraged to attend interactive workshop events in June in Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Mount Prospect, Palatine, and Rolling Meadows. Each Homes for…

Illinois General Assembly approves bill to modernize state's plumbing code to promote water conservation, safety

mburrell@metroplanning.org (Mandy Burrell Booth) — Tue, 15 May 2012 12:00:00 CST

By Mandy Burrell Booth

Ill. House Bill 4496, which sets a deadline for the Ill. Dept. of Public Health to update the state’s plumbing code to be more consistent with leading technologies and methods that promote water conservation and safety, was approved today by the Illinois Senate. The Illinois House of Representatives approved the bill on March 27; the next step is for Gov. Pat Quinn to sign this bill into law. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Carol Sente (D-Lincolnshire) and Sen. Susan Garrett (D-Highwood),…

RTA Board votes to fund Commute Options program, through which area employers provide incentives to help workers drive less

mburrell@metroplanning.org (Mandy Burrell Booth) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 12:00:00 CST

By Mandy Burrell Booth

(Chicago) … The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) Board voted on Wednesday to approve a one-year contract with the Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) for employee Commute Options services. A federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality grant is funding 80 percent of the $75,000 contract, and no more than 20 percent or $15,000 will come from RTA funds. Commute Options is a pilot program led by MPC through which 11 employers in metropolitan Chicago are providing options and…

New report will help Lake Zurich develop integrated water resources plan to manage current, future water decisions

mburrell@metroplanning.org (Mandy Burrell Booth) — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 12:00:00 CST

By Mandy Burrell Booth

Plan addresses issues including Lake Michigan allocation, stormwater management, infrastructure repairs, and water financing (Lake Zurich, Ill.) … The Village of Lake Zurich faces several important water resources management decisions, from the future source of its water supply to maintaining its existing water supply, stormwater, and wastewater infrastructure. At the April 2 Lake Zurich Village Board meeting, local leaders and residents reviewed a report from a team of water planning…

New report provides recommendations for developing vibrant retail districts in Bronzeville

mburrell@metroplanning.org (Mandy Burrell Booth) — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 12:00:00 CST

By Mandy Burrell Booth

(Chicago) … Neighborhoods across Chicago are rethinking retail in response to a changing housing market, shifting economic realities, and new and existing residents’ wants and needs. In partnership with the Bronzeville Alliance, a coalition of local community organizations in the Bronzeville neighborhood on Chicago’s near South Side, the nonprofit Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) has released the report Developing Vibrant Retail in Bronzeville, which assesses the…

Illinois Building Blocks program to fight foreclosures and vacancies in targeted communities

mburrell@metroplanning.org (Mandy Burrell Booth) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:00:00 CST

By Mandy Burrell Booth

Collaborative approach will more effectively address foreclosure and vacant home crises, while saving taxpayer money and strengthening communities (Chicago) … The Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) commends Gov. Patrick Quinn and the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA), in partnership with Cook County, for the new Illinois Building Blocks pilot program. Focusing on six communities within the south and west portions of our region that are strategically tackling the most…

Metropolitan Planning Council sets 2012 policy agenda

mburrell@metroplanning.org (Mandy Burrell Booth) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 12:00:00 CST

By Mandy Burrell Booth

On the docket: Bus Rapid Transit, greater incentives for green infrastructure to fight flooding, rewards for communities that collaborate (Chicago) … With the U.S. recession officially over, cities and regions, including metropolitan Chicago, are confronting a new economic reality. The Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC)—a 78-year-old nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to helping shape a sustainable, prosperous and equitable metropolitan Chicago region—has set…

W. Cook County Housing Collaborative to benefit from more than $7M in state, federal funding for foreclosure recovery, housing redevelopment near transit

mburrell@metroplanning.org (Mandy Burrell Booth) — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 12:00:00 CST

By Mandy Burrell Booth

U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development announces $2.9 million Challenge Grant; Illinois Dept. of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announces $4.2 million grant About the West Cook County Housing Collaborative The West Cook County Housing Collaborative (the Collaborative), which began work in late 2008, is a joint effort between the municipalities of Bellwood, Berwyn, Forest Park, Maywood, and Oak Park to finance, renovate and make available quality, affordable…

Gov. Quinn, HUD Regional Administrator Riley, Illinois elected officials, and DCEO Director Ribley join mayors, village presidents from West Cook County Housing Collaborative to make major funding announcement

mburrell@metroplanning.org (Mandy Burrell Booth) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 12:00:00 CST

By Mandy Burrell Booth

CHICAGO – Gov. Patrick Quinn, U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Midwest Regional Administrator Antonio R. Riley, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), and U.S. Rep Danny K. Davis (D-Chicago), and Illinois Dept. of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Director Warren Ribley will join Oak Park Village President David Pope, on behalf of the West Cook County Housing Collaborative, to make a major funding announcement that will impact five communities in West Cook County. These…