On Monday, April 27, Vice President Joseph Biden visited Chicago to visit the former Republic Windows and Doors factory that has been reopened by Serious Materials, which manufactures energy-efficient windows. Biden also delivered the keynote at the fifth annual Richard J. Daley Urban Forum, at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

At the forum, “Global Economic Recovery: Cities Lead the Way,”  Vice President Biden told city leaders from around the globe he believes we need a metropolitan investment strategy that rewards innovation, “a strategy that fills our cities with the resources they need not to survive merely, but to thrive,” he said.

“That’s why President Obama and I have created the White House Office of Urban Affairs,” explained VP Biden. “We’ve tasked that office with creating a new urban policy – one that promotes economic competitiveness, equal opportunity, and sustainability.”

Where We Stand

The Metropolitan Planning Council applauds the administration’s commitment to a new federal investment strategy that recognizes metropolitan areas drive the U.S. economy. MPC is equally enthusiastic about the purpose of the new White House Office of Urban Affairs, which is consistent with our mission to create an economically competitive, socially equitable, and environmentally sustainable Chicago metropolitan region.

To build support for a multi-faceted metro-federal agenda, beginning in June, MPC and the Chicago Architecture Foundation will host a lecture series, called “Reinventing Public Investment: Better Choices for a Better Chicagoland,” to examine the future ramifications, both positive and negative, of federal investment reform. The first event, at noon on Friday, June 5, is entitled “A Reform Roadmap for Viable Infrastructure in the Chicago Region.” It will feature national and local experts discussing how federal investment policies in energy, transportation and water have shaped decisions and development in the Chicago region. The second in the series, “Creating Livable Communities in the Chicago Region,” will be at noon on Tuesday, July 14.

Register for Reinventing Public Investment: Better Choices for a Better Chicagoland - A Reform Roadmap for Viable Infrastructure in the Chicago Region, June 5th >>

Register for Reinventing Public Investment: Better Choices for a Better Chicagoland - Creating Livable Communities in the Chicago Region, July 14 >>

Project Progress Report

Nearly two years ago, 10 north and northwest suburban mayors, in partnership with Charter One Bank and MPC, launched the Charter One Workforce Housing Initiative.  Their goal was to engage area employers in workforce housing solutions.

Since then, the partners have made much progress.  Mayor Michael Belsky, of Highland Park, and Mayor Irvana Wilks, of Mount Prospect, are the most recent mayors to implement employer-assisted housing (EAH) programs for municipal employees.  In addition, several large employers, like Walgreens, Baxter and  Lake Forest College, have become advocates for expanded workforce housing opportunities in their communities.

In this current housing environment, with a lack of affordable housing options and a growing number of foreclosed and troubled properties, mayors and employers are key partners for progress.  These partnerships are both inspiring and concrete models for other municipalities, as they look for solutions.

Read the story of one Highland Park employee who purchased a home through the Charter One Workforce Housing Initiative. 

Learn more about Mount Prospect’s national recognition as a great place to raise a family.

MPC Headlines

A “Green” Tour of MPC’s New Home
In February, MPC moved to a beautiful and sustainable new home in Chicago’s historic Marquette Building. The new office space boasts many environmental features and a flexible conference center. Take a virtual tour of MPC’s new office and learn how we’re doing our part to help the planet.

 

 

"MPC and ULI “Discover Asia on Argyle” in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood
Uptown’s Argyle Street is one of the more unique, multicultural commercial corridors in Chicago. MPC and ULI organized a Technical Assistance Panel in November 2008 to recommend ways to promote and improve this dynamic, one-of-a-kind, business corridor. Read the recommendations for moving forward with a new vision.

Become a Fan of MPC on Facebook
The Facebook Fan page is the first of several new communications platforms MPC will be introducing in the coming months. Stay tuned for news about our new Web site, coming this summer.

MPC and the National Housing Conference's Center for Housing Policy discuss housing and transportation policy coordination with local leaders in Minneapolis and Atlanta
Informing new HUD/DOT commitment for interagency coordination, industry leaders explore what's needed on the ground and from DC to promote sustainable communities.

 

Support Our Work

Re-connection is generously sponsored by:
John and Kathleen Buck

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In the News

Special MPC in the News
Recently, on “NewsHour with Jim Lehrer,” Blueprint America correspondent Rick Karr shone a national spotlight on freight rail bottlenecks in metropolitan Chicago and how they affect the nation’s economic competitiveness. Karr interviewed MPC President MarySue Barrett for the segment, which addressed the need for a national freight infrastructure investment policy to untangle, modernize and maintain the nation’s rails, a backbone of the economy.

MPC in the News

For the latest news and reports from MPC, visit our online Newsroom.

News of Interest

Oberstar Has Plan to Revolutionize Highway Funding
The Infrastructurist, 5/6/2009

Recession Fuels 'Neighboring'
Planetizen, 5/6/2009

State Capitol Q&A: Taxpayer Action Board
Springfield Journal-Register, 5/5/09

High-Speed Rail: Thinking Beyond the Station
Project for Public Spaces, 4/30/09

Chicago: East Chicago's Industrial Past
Urbanophile, 4/28/09

How Smart Growth can keep our drinking water safe
Smart Growth Around America, 4/27/09

Re-Connection past issues

February 2008 Vol 1 Issue 1

March 2008 Vol 1 Issue 2

April 2008 Vol 1 Issue 3

May 2008 Vol 1 Issue 4

June 2008 Vol 1 Issue 5

July 2008 Vol 1 Issue 6

August 2008 Vol 1 Issue 7

September 2008 Vol 1 Issue 8

October 2008 Vol 1 Issue 9

November 2008 Vol 1 Issue 10

December 2008 Vol Issue 11

February 2009 Vol 2 Issue 2

March 2009 Vol 2 Issue 3

April 2009 Vol 2 Issue 4 

MPC leadership

Board of Governors

Executive Advisors

Sign up for Talking Transit

With policy debates, legislative changes, and similar issues being tackled in other parts of the world, it is difficult to stay on top of current events in the transportation field. To help, MPC publishes Talking Transit, a useful online resource of important local, national and international news from various sources, which highlights significant events in transportation and land use. Sign up for Talking Transit.

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