Where We Stand

MPC is disgusted about the state’s fiscal crisis — one of the subjects we’ll ask our speakers to tackle on June 21 at our Annual Luncheon, “Illinois: Is there a cure?,” featuring Alexi Giannoulias and Mark Kirk, nominees for U.S. Senate.

Yet, as a busy Springfield legislative session concludes, we also have several wins to celebrate. In partnership with key lawmakers and fellow advocates, and with critical support from our volunteers, we helped make streets safer for pedestrians, advanced innovative public-private financing for Illinois transportation projects, and extended a tax credit that leverages millions of dollars to help workers become stable homebuyers in our communities.

Read more about MPC in Springfield >>

Project Progress Report

In 2009, Illinois was awarded $1.2 billion from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to improve the current Chicago-to-St. Louis rail corridor and enable higher speed train travel. MPC’s analysis shows that over the next 10 years, about 800,000 new tourists will visit Chicago because of these rail improvements, providing a major boost to the local economy.

Download the Tourism Benefits of Higher Speed Rail fact sheet, or read about MPC’s study on our web site. 

Analysis of the economic benefits resulting from higher speed rail is one of first steps toward developing effective policy solutions. Support our capacity to do this important work with a donation.

Headlines

MPC’s April 21 2010 roundtable challenges Chicagoans to think about what our streets are saying.
"Chicago streets are saying some wonderful things, and they could say even more,” said Sam Schwartz, aka "Gridlock Sam," at Talking the Walk: The Importance of Pedestrian Friendly Public Spaces.

See photos of this event on MPC's flickr page >>

A full recording of the Talking the Walk panel discussion is available on Chicago Amplified and will be broadcast on CAN TV.

South suburban employers inspire action at Charter One Workforce Housing Initiative convening
More than 60 south suburban employers and local officials gathered April 30 for a Charter One Workforce Housing Initiative convening in Olympia Fields, to discuss ways local employers can contribute to stable homeownership and redevelopment in the south suburbs — such as CVS Caremark’s new employer-assisted housing program.

Even at mid-speed, rail improvements can crank up Illinois' economy
This op-ed by MPC President MarySue Barrett appeared in Crain's Chicago Business May 3, 2010.

MPC in Pictures: What do you want the near east side of Aurora to look like?
This summer, the City of Aurora, in collaboration with MPC and Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, will conduct a visioning and planning process for the future of the near east side of the city along the Fox River.

Making sustainable development the norm, not the exception
MPC Board Member Mark Angelini, Practice Leader, S.B. Friedman blogged about MPC’s Great Communities Roundtable in April, featuring Shelley Poticha, director of HUD’s Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities.
See photos of this event on MPC's flickr page.
A full recording of the The Great Communities Rounddtable is available on Chicago Amplified.

MPC celebrates launch of LEED for Neighborhood Development
MPC joined the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU), and a host of real estate industry leaders in celebrating the official launch of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND) rating system on April 29.

MPC publication: Recommendations for Logan Square development priorities
In summer 2009, at the invitation of Ald. Rey Colón (35th Ward), MPC led a Corridor Development Initiative (CDI) exercise in the Logan Square neighborhood. The final recommendations report is now available online.

Penny Pritzker updates MPC-Microsoft workforce convening on President’s priorities
In April, MPC and Microsoft convened a small cross-section of workforce experts to discuss how the Chicago region can take advantage of the economic development and workforce potential of emerging, sustainable business sectors.

Principles of Placemaking

Each month, Placemaking Chicago features an inspiring story of people making 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 Friends of the Bloomingdale Trail.

Stay tuned for the summer 2010 “What Makes Your Place Great? Your Secret Corner of Chicagoland” photo and video contest. This year, MPC is partnering with the Chicago Architecture Foundation to discover the region’s best-kept secret public places.

Upcoming events

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In the News

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MPC in the News

When Counties Don't Stop Governing at the Border
Business Week, May 13, 2010

CVS's Prescription for Foreclosure Relief
Chicago Magazine, May 12, 2010

The unquenchable thirst for cheap water
RE Journals, May 12, 2010

MPC Maps Out Benefits of High-Speed Rail
Gapers Block, May 6, 2010

Swimming Upstream: Can Asian carp inspire long-term solutions to Chicago’s most pressing water problems?
Harris School, May 6, 2010

Projected Benefits of High-Speed Rail
GOTO 2040 Blog, May 5, 2010

Rainwater Toilets Caught in Red Tape
The Environment Report, May 5, 2010

New tollway head reaches out to community to set agenda
Daily Herald, May 5, 2010

OpEd: Even at mid-speed, rail improvements can crank up Illinois' economy
Crain's Chicago Business, May 5, 2010

A World Class Policy
ActiveTrans, May 5, 2010

Charter One event offers insights on foreclosures
South Suburban News, May 3, 2010

News of Interest
Ottawa, Closer than Ever to Replacing Bus Rapid Transit with Light Rail
The Transport Politic, May 17, 2010

Watch for pedestrians: Police run crosswalk sting on North, South sides tonight
Chicago Sun-Times, May 18, 2010

Here Comes the Neighborhood
The Atlantic, June 2010

Senate Climate Bill Called A Gas Tax
Planetizen - Urban Planning, Design and Development Network, May 17, 2010

South Chicago Does Green in a Big Way
Community Beat, April 28, 2010

Audio archive

Unable to attend an event? Listen to select MPC programs at our media partner Chicago Amplified, a web-based audio archive.

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