ABOUT THE PLANNING & DESIGN CONFERENCE
Keynote Speaker is Jesse Elam, Deputy Executive Director for Policy and Programming for the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP), gave an update on CMAP's transportation planning studies, which factor strategic investment, roads, transit, freight, and walking and bicycling. CMAP selects projects for over $250 million in federal funds each year through the Surface Transportation Program (STP), Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP), and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ). CMAP is developing the region’s next comprehensive plan, ON TO 2050, scheduled for adoption in October 2018. As with the prior GO TO 2040 plan, it is a highly transparent and collaborative effort involving partners and stakeholders from across the seven counties and 284 communities of northeastern Illinois. This is a highly important document that will guide transportation investment decisions for years to come. Mr. Elam will address the ON TO 2050 proposed plan as part of his keynote address. Three (3) Professional Development Hours (PDHs) were available for attendees.