About Us

The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) is a regional government agency that works on behalf of the 7 counties, 284 municipalities, and 8.6 million residents of northeastern Illinois.

Our mission

To serve the people of the region by driving innovation, fostering shared action, and advancing toward a common vision.

We envision an inclusive and thriving region.

Our goals

CMAP works toward achieving three goals:

A transportation system that works better for everyone
A robust and inclusive regional economy
A region that takes action to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change and preserve high-quality water resources

Our region

CMAP’s service area includes the seven northeastern Illinois counties of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will. It also includes Aux Sable township in Grundy County and Sandwich and Somonauk townships in DeKalb County.

Regional map of northeastern Illinois showing McHenry, Lake, Kane, DuPage, Cook, Kendall, and Will counties, and Aux Sable, Sandwich, and Somonauk townships.

Our history

In the 1950s, the region had two separate agencies responsible for transportation and land-use planning: the Chicago Area Transportation Study and the Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission. Over time, local government and community leaders saw a need for an agency that did both. In the summer of 2005, the Regional Planning Act was signed into law, combining the agencies into what is now CMAP.

CMAP is the state-authorized regional planning agency and federally designated metropolitan planning organization (MPO). State law gives CMAP the responsibility to effectively address development and transportation challenges in northeastern Illinois through streamlined, consolidated regional planning and integrated plans for land use and transportation. As the MPO, CMAP is responsible for allocating federal transportation funds and managing the transportation planning process.

CMAP is governed by its Board, which includes balanced representation from the agency’s seven-county area. The MPO Policy Committee is the decision-making body for all regional transportation plans and programs for this area. The CMAP Board and MPO Policy Committee jointly adopted a memorandum of understanding as the framework for integrating land use and transportation through CMAP’s regional planning process.

In collaboration with its partners, CMAP plans for the region’s future, guided by the ON TO 2050 long-range plan. This plan sets a 30-year vision to improve the region’s transportation systems, address climate resiliency, and ensure a thriving economy.

Core values

CMAP has adopted a set of core values to guide the agency’s work and decision-making.

Serve with passion

We are passionate about serving the people of metropolitan Chicago. We build public trust by being good stewards of public resources and proactively sharing information.

Pursue equity

We are guided by the principle that everyone has a right to opportunity and a high quality of life. We work to realize equity for all.

Foster collaboration

We believe inclusion and collaboration strengthens our work. We seek out the voices of those who often go unheard or face barriers to public participation.

Lead with excellence

We lead on issues that advance the region. We believe in the power of data and the story it tells. We identify and share solutions and inspire others to adapt them for their communities.

Drive innovation