News Updates

CMAP awards technical assistance to 26 communities across northeastern Illinois

Communities across northeastern Illinois are getting support to develop and advance plans that make streets safer, improve accessibility, strengthen infrastructure, support economic growth, and create more vibrant, connected places. 

The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) selected 26 projects through its Technical Assistance Program, helping local governments build capacity, plan strategically, and prepare projects for implementation and future funding opportunities. The technical assistance program also supports implementation of ON TO 2050, the region’s long-range plan.

CMAP and the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) have partnered for more than a decade to coordinate a joint call for projects. While CMAP and the RTA operate separate technical assistance programs, the shared application process helps both agencies provide planning and implementation assistance to a larger base of eligible applicants. The RTA follows a separate review and award timeline and will announce its technical assistance projects at a later time.

2026 awardees

ADA public right-of-way self-evaluation and transition plans 

CMAP will help communities develop plans that comply with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and evaluate transportation infrastructure in the public right of way. These projects will help the following communities identify and prioritize improvements to sidewalks, crosswalks, curb ramps, and other infrastructure to make public spaces more accessible:

• Bannockburn
• Berkeley
• East Dundee
• Franklin Park
• Monee

Bicycle and pedestrian plans

CMAP will help communities identify improvements for people walking, biking, rolling, and getting around without a car. These plans include will include support for community engagement, mapping, data analysis, and recommendations that advance transportation, safety, and livability improvements in:

• Berwyn
• Lake Villa
• Winfield

Capital improvement plans

CMAP will help communities evaluate existing capital planning processes, provide recommendations and training, and create multiyear capital improvement plans. These projects will support transparent, data-driven investment decisions and help the following communities plan strategically for infrastructure needs

• Diamond
• Indian Head Park
• Pingree Grove
• Richton Park
• South Chicago Heights
• Summit
• University Park

Corridor plans

CMAP will help communities develop plans for transportation and other improvements in key corridors, business districts, downtowns, riverfronts, neighborhoods, or other focus areas. These plans will identify goals, recommend specific projects, and create strategies to help the following communities move from planning to implementation:

• Lockport — 159th Street
• Plainfield — Lockport Street/Main Street

Local road safety plans

CMAP will help communities prepare proactive, data-driven local road safety plans that identify, analyze, and prioritize roadway safety improvements. These plans will incorporate crash data, local insights, and guidance from a steering committee to focus on reducing fatal and serious injury crashes. They will also apply the Safe System approach to improve safety for all road users, including people walking and biking in:

• Addison
• Clarendon Hills

NEXT plan implementation assistance

CMAP will help communities organize implementation efforts, prioritize planned improvements, promote economic prosperity, develop action plans, and support implementation of previously developed local plans in:

• Hanover Park
• Wauconda
• Woodridge

Node-oriented development plan

CMAP will help communities plan for key activity hubs, such as employment centers, medical districts, higher education campuses, downtowns, or other nodes. These plans will integrate transportation, housing, jobs, and retail or commercial development to support compact, walkable, and connected places that contribute to the local and regional economy in:

• Minooka

Travel choice pilot plans

CMAP will pilot new travel choice technical assistance projects to help communities take a holistic approach to walking, biking, rolling, accessibility, safety, and other nonvehicular travel. These plans will identify priority improvements, policy changes, cost estimates, and implementation strategies that expand safe, accessible travel options for people of all ages and abilities in:

• Arlington Heights
• Park Forest
• Sugar Grove