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HB 2345 promises proactive approach to housing
needs of underserved people
Gov. Rod Blagojevich's decision to appoint a Housing Committee as part of his
Transition Team sent an encouraging signal to advocates, municipal officials,
developers and other stakeholders who have been struggling with the consequences
of Illinois' lack of a housing policy. Nearly six months into the new
administration, momentum continues, primarily at the legislative level. A new
Housing and Urban Development Committee was formed in the House, and an
unprecedented number of housing bills received meaningful attention in the
Senate. With the passage of HB 2345 (the Illinois Housing Initiative), Illinois
will develop its first - and long overdue - state housing policy. What does this
mean? The state, via all of the 20 or so agencies centrally and peripherally
involved in housing, will coordinate resources to proactively address the
housing needs of certain underserved populations, such as workers unable to
afford housing near their jobs and people experiencing or at risk of
homelessness.
Contact: Robin Snyderman , Housing Director, 312.863.6007
Metropolitan Planning Council Annual Meeting Luncheon will feature
U.S. Speaker of the House J. Dennis Hastert on Monday, June 23,
2003
This year's luncheon will feature keynote remarks by U.S. Rep. J. Dennis
Hastert (R-Ill.), speaker of the House, who will address the role of federal
legislation in regional issues. MPC will also present its Burnham Award for
Excellence in Planning to the Illinois Institute of Technology for its Main
Campus Master Plan. "There are some special challenges facing our region,"
says MPC President MarySue Barrett. "MPC’s Annual Meeting is an excellent
opportunity to hear first-hand what’s on tap at the federal level for Illinois
and our region."
The event will take place at the Hilton Chicago & Towers, 720 South
Michigan Avenue. There will be a reception at 11:15 a.m., followed by the
luncheon at 12:00 p.m.
The event is free to members of the working media, however registrations are
required by June 19, 2003.
Contact: Kim Grimshaw Bolton , Communications Director, 312.863.6020
MarySue Barrett joins panel at Transport Chicago
conference
Chicago is at the heart of the nation’s rail system, and feeling the impact
of increased traffic and an aging infrastructure. Freight tonnage is expected to
increase 67 percent by 2020, and without significant federal investment, the
national rail network will not be able to handle that growth. The result will be
more traffic and congestion on the nation’s highways and a significant loss of
jobs for northeastern Illinois. On Friday, June 6, 2003, Transport Chicago,
Chicagoland’s Annual Mobility Conference, will bring together academics and
transportation and planning professionals to debate transportation policy and
planning issues. This year’s conference features a lunch panel discussion on the
impacts of freight congestion. MarySue Barrett, president of the Metropolitan
Planning Council, will join a panel, "The Impacts for Freight Congestion," that
includes Paul Nowicki, assistant vice president, Government and Public Policy
for Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company and Steve Schlickman,
coalition manager for Rail Advocates for Infrastructure Legislation.
MPC has been at the forefront of research and policy development on the
freight issue. Getting the Chicago Region Moving: A Coordinated Agenda for
the 2003 Federal Transportation Debate was released by Business Leaders for
Transportation (a coalition coordinated by MPC) earlier this year. The report
demonstrates the impact federal transportation dollars have in our region and
proposes an agenda to ensure that federal policies encourage coordinated land
use and transportation decisions for a more efficient system. Transport Chicago
is a unique opportunity to discuss, review and refine those recommendations.
Transport Chicago will be held at the Chicago Circle Center on the UIC campus
from 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. The lunch panel discussion is from noon to 1:30 p.m. in
Illinois Room A of Circle Center.
Contact: Karyn Romano , Transportation Director, 312.863.6005
MPC recommends that Chicago allow coach houses in zoning
rewrite
Chicago’s current zoning ordinance does not allow coach houses. Yet, as an
historical remnant, coach houses are prevalent in many neighborhoods. MPC has
submitted for consideration to the Mayor’s Zoning Reform Commission draft
language that supports coach houses and proposes guidelines for their
development.
"Coach houses are a viable way to expand relatively low-cost housing
options," says Peter Skosey, MPC vice president of external relations. "A home
with a coach house means, for instance, that the owner can offer elderly
relatives or recent college graduates a place to live that is convenient for
everyone involved." Coach houses also provide rental income that, in many cases,
helps pay the mortgage. In addition, they diversify neighborhoods of mostly
single-family homes. Skosey concludes, "they really are a win-win option, and we
are hopeful that they will be included in the new zoning ordinance."
Contact: Peter Skosey , Vice President of External Relations, 312.863.6004