News Updates

State of the Region event brings together leaders and stakeholders to launch “The Century Plan” — Solving for tomorrow, today

The Century Plan is a shared, overarching vision for northeastern Illinois that will guide policies for transportation, the environment, and the economy for decades into the future. Learn more and get involved.

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 this region.

Nearly 1,000 people, including state officials, mayors, and county board chairs, along with transportation, business, and civic stakeholders, came together to kick off The Century Plan — a shared, overarching vision for the seven-county region that will guide policies for transportation, the environment, and the economy for decades into the future.

The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) hosted a first-of-its-kind State of the Region event on November 4th to inspire and catalyze a regional initiative to shape the future. The gathering also celebrated CMAP’s 20th anniversary and two decades of regional planning progress.

CMAP Board Chair and Mayor of Palos Hills Gerald Bennett said, “Partnerships are the cornerstone of CMAP’s work. We are all stronger when we work together and can do more when aligned around a unified vision. The region — its leaders, stakeholders, and residents — are invited to join us on this journey of developing our next big plan.”

Bennett is one of this region’s longest serving mayors (first elected in 1981), a founding leader of CMAP, and its first (and only) board chair.

Over the next two years, 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.

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?

CMAP Executive Director Erin Aleman said, “CMAP facilitates this planning process on behalf of the region, but this is not CMAP’s plan — it is everyone’s plan for a better, stronger northeastern Illinois. Building on Burnham’s legacy, we will develop an inspirational and transformative vision for the future — a plan for the region, by the region.”

At the State of the Region event, which took place at the iconic Old Post Office in Chicago, guests got a first look at data trends that 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 also featured visual exhibits illustrating CMAP’s history and milestones. Thanks to generous sponsors, guests enjoyed food, entertainment, and experiences reflective of the region.

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.

View photos from the State of the Region event on CMAP’s Flickr account.

CMAP is the region’s federally designated metropolitan planning organization and state-authorized regional planning agency. CMAP serves northeastern Illinois, its 8.6 million people, 284 communities, and 7 counties. We work with our partners to improve infrastructure, mobility, safety, the environment, the economy, and quality of life. We also strengthen communities through planning and technical assistance. Whether it’s planning for today or tomorrows to come, collaborating and convening, or delivering data and policy analysis, CMAP has consistently led with excellence for two decades.