Where We Stand

Since our founding in 1934, MPC has been fortunate to be led by and work in partnership with many women leaders. These women have been staff members, fellow advocates, businesswomen, academics, and lawmakers — each one dedicated, in her own way, to supporting a more prosperous and sustainable metropolitan Chicago region.

We’re proud that our 76-year history includes many “firsts” accomplished by women leaders — among them, MPC’s first executive director, Elizabeth Wood, who served from 1934 to 1937 and went on to be the first leader of the Chicago Housing Authority. Within the world of policy change, we’ve moved past these “firsts,” and women have a seat the table to present their good ideas for change. This year, we’re supporting two of them: the Public Private Partnerships for Transportation Act (SB 3482) introduced by Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago), and Rainwater Harvesting for Non-Potable Uses Act (SB 2549) introduced by Sen. Susan Garrett (D-Highwood). These are sound improvements, no matter who is the champion.

Learn more about MPC’s 2010 legislative agenda>>
Learn more about MPC’s history of women leaders >>

Project Progress Report

MPC is partnering with more than 35 Chicago employers to boost the local housing market, support workers’ homeownership goals, and stabilize communities with employer-assisted housing (EAH) programs. Through EAH, these employers have invested more than $8 million to help more than 2,000 homebuyers purchase homes valued at approximately $400 million. Meanwhile, in Springfield, lawmakers have the opportunity to reaffirm their support for EAH by renewing the Illinois Affordable Housing Tax Credit program, available to employers who offer the program to their workers.

Read more about MPC’s EAH work in Chicago and Springfield >>

MPC’s employer-assisted housing work saves people time and money on their commutes. Make a contribution to MPC today >>

Headlines

MPC helps CDOT design for complete streets

Last week, more than 40 Chicago and Illinois transportation planners and engineers gathered at MPC’s Conference Center for a two-day workshop to discuss ways to design streets that accommodate all forms of traffic, including pedestrians, bicycles, automobiles, and transit.

Calling all visionaries: MPC seeks nominations for 2010 Burnham Award for Excellence in Planning
Get out your blueprints and sharpen those PowerPoints, because it’s once again time to submit nominations for MPC’s Burnham Award for Excellence in Planning, which, since 1988, has encouraged sensible growth by honoring innovative and visionary planning efforts in the Chicago.

Tax credits ‘icing on the cake’ for Chicago’s EAH employers
As home sales in Chicago begin to pick up, a range of city employers are offering employer-assisted housing (EAH) programs that support their workers’ homeownership goals, boost the housing market, and benefit the companies in the long run.

Principles of Placemaking

Each month, Re-Connection will feature an inspiring true story of people making a changes in their communities. These profiles embody the 11 Principles of Placemaking, and show that working with people who share your passion and vision can make anything possible. Check out this month’s story about the Pop-Up Art Loop!

Upcoming events

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In the News

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 MPC in the News

Chicago group official urges coordinating plans to re-create Gary, NWI
The Times of Northwest Indiana, 3/13/2010

That lake? It may look like an infinite supply, but it's not
Medill News Service, 3/10/2010

Bill turns rainwater into toilet water
Medill News Service, 3/9/2010

Bus rapid transit’s demise greatly exaggerated
Medill News Service, 3/2/2010

Guest commentary: Cline redevelopment golden opportunity to strengthen region
The Times of Northwest Indiana, 2/26/2010

News of Interest
Toxic Waters: Saving U.S. Water and Sewer Systems Would Be Costly
The New York Times, 3/16/2009

China promotes its transcontinental ambitions with massive rail plan
Transport Politic, 3/15/2009

Earmark disarmament
Chicago Tribune, 3/14/2009

The City as Platform
The Urbanophile, 3/14/2009

Towns urge residents to capture new funds by filling out Census
Daily Herald, 3/10/2009

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 innovations in transportation and land use. Sign up for Talking Transit.

Re-Connection Archive

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