News Updates

Regional leaders will gather today to launch “The Century Plan” — Solving for tomorrow, today

The father of urban planning and co-author of the visionary 1909 Plan of Chicago, Daniel Burnham, famously said, “Make no little plans.” A century later, regional leaders are embarking on the next BIG plan for northeastern Illinois.

Nearly 1,000 people, including state officials, mayors, and county board chairs, along with transportation, business, and civic stakeholders, are coming together this evening at the iconic Old Post Office for the State of the Region. The event will kick off The Century Plan and celebrate 20 years of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) serving the region.

Over the next two years and on behalf of the region, CMAP will engage with government, business, and civic groups, along with residents and communities to develop The Century Plan, with a targeted adoption by the CMAP Board and the MPO Policy Committee in fall 2027. The Century Plan is not CMAP’s plan; it’s everyone’s plan for a better, stronger northeastern Illinois. There will be opportunities to participate in meetings and events to discuss what the region needs to thrive decades into the future.

The Century Plan will delve into questions like: How will people travel? Where will they live and work? What new industries will emerge? What are our big challenges and opportunities? What ideas, policies, and commitments do we need to provide the best quality of life for our 8 million residents and to position ourselves as a top-tier metropolitan area in a highly competitive global economy?

Data trends will help drive conversations around key quality of life issues, including housing and the economy, flooding and transportation, the region’s aging population, and more.

The event will also feature visual exhibits illustrating CMAP’s history and milestones.

To learn more, visit cmap.is/the-century-plan and sign up for CMAP newsletters to stay informed about The Century Plan; transportation, planning, and data news; and other CMAP updates.