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Share your feedback on northeastern Illinois’ transportation future

Plan the future. Get there together. 

The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) released the draft 2026 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP), the Air Quality Conformity Determination, and the FFY 2027–2032 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for public review and comment during June 12 and July 31, 2026.

The public comment period closed on Friday, July 31, 2026 and CMAP hosted a public hearing on Thursday, August 6, 2026. CMAP is reviewing feedback received as it prepares the final documents for consideration this fall.

Together, these documents will guide how northeastern Illinois invests in and improves transportation infrastructure across the region in the years ahead. Public feedback will help shape the final documents before consideration for adoption by the CMAP Board and MPO Policy Committee in October 2026.

Draft 2026 Regional Transportation Plan

The draft 2026 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) is a long-range blueprint for the future of transportation in northeastern Illinois. Developed in partnership with communities, transportation agencies, organizations, and residents across the region, the RTP establishes priorities and strategies to improve how people and goods move throughout the seven-county region over the coming decades.

The plan addresses key regional priorities, including: 

• Strengthening connections between people and places
• Prioritizing safety and public health
• Reducing pollution and improving infrastructure resilience
• Supporting economic prosperity and inclusive growth
• Strategically governing, funding, and preserving the transportation system

The RTP also identifies regional transportation projects, a plan to fund them, and outlines strategies to support a safer, more reliable, connected, and accessible transportation network.

Air Quality Conformity Determination 

Federal law requires regional transportation plans and programs to align with regional air quality goals and standards. The Air Quality Conformity Determination evaluates whether the transportation investments included in the RTP and TIP conform to federal requirements established under the Clean Air Act. 

The analysis demonstrates that planned transportation investments in northeastern Illinois are consistent with regional air quality objectives and will not worsen air pollution or delay progress toward cleaner air. 

FFY 2027–32 Transportation Improvement Program 

The FFY 2027–32 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) identifies federally funded transportation projects anticipated to advance throughout northeastern Illinois over the next six years. 

The TIP includes investments in transit, roadway, bicycle, pedestrian, freight, and accessibility improvements sponsored by state, regional, and local transportation agencies across the region. Projects included in the TIP help implement the priorities and recommendations identified in the RTP. 

What happens next

CMAP is reviewing comments received during the public comment period and at the public hearing. Feedback will be considered as the draft RTP, Air Quality Conformity Determination, and FFY 2027–32 TIP are finalized for review and potential adoption by the CMAP Board and MPO Policy Committee in October 2026.

A summary of public comments and responses will be made available as part of the final materials.