Transportation

Designated by the federal government as the Chicago region’s Metropolitan Planning Organization, CMAP is responsible for reviewing and approving projects that use federal transportation dollars. Part of this role entails overseeing the implementation of the GO TO 2040 comprehensive regional plan, which was created to address anticipated population growth of more than 2 million new residents.

NEPA requires that agencies take a hard look at how proposed transportation projects involving major federal action significantly affect the human environment. Agencies are to draw upon public participation to highlight and seriously consider comprehensive environmental, cultural and agricultural impacts in deciding whether and how to build projects like new highways and rail lines. While agencies are not required to select the most environmentally conscious alternative, NEPA injects policy considerations into the transportation planning process, which can result in preserving and protecting rare and important natural resources.

The Regional Transportation Agency is charged with transit planning for the six-county Northeastern Illinois region. The agency’s responsibilities include implementing projects, administering grant programs, growing ridership, and improving mobility. RTA also provides technical and analytical expertise in support of local public transit initiatives to municipalities and transportation agencies across the region. Many of these efforts are geared towards creating and preserving livable communities throughout Northeastern Illinois.
The region’s system covers approximately 3,700 square miles and serves approximately 8.4 million residents. The RTA’s regional system is the second largest transit system in the country by passenger miles traveled, behind only New York, and the third largest in the country by ridership, behind only New York and Los Angeles.

Passed in 2013, this act creates the South Suburban Cook County Brownfield Redevelopment Zone with the goal to redevelop brownfields (former industrial or commercial sites where future use is affected by environmental contamination) in the zone by leveraging the existing infrastructure around the CN Intermodal Terminal and the Union Pacific Intermodal Terminal.
Eligible projects are limited to those classified by the Urban Land Institute as: warehouse distribution, manufacturing, or freight forwarding. Eligible developers may be reimbursed for a variety of activities, including: environmental studies and remediation; land acquisition and demolition; recruiting and training minority residents from the zone; and upgrading the public infrastructure.

The Act has created economic opportunity and reinvestment in communities, jobs, and new industry in the suburbs.

Protecting Cyclists and Pedestrians from Harassment
As of 2010, this law makes it a crime to ride unnecessarily close to, toward or near a cyclist, pedestrian or equestrian. If the violation results in great bodily harm, the driver could be charged with a felony.

The 2008 Bicycle Safety Ordinance
Prohibits motorists from opening a door into moving traffic; sets a 3 foot minimum passing distance; and prohibits motorists from turning right in front of a bicyclist.

Illinois Complete Streets
Signed into law in 2007, this important legislation protects pedestrians, bicyclists and other vulnerable road users. Requires that bicycle and pedestrian ways be established in or near urban areas in all state transportation projects.