Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT)

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Summits

CTAQC periodically (every five to six years) holds interactive consensus building exercises to gather public feedback on taxpayers' choices for investments in transportation. This process is a model for public involvement that has historically been lacking in our region. Monographs detailing how to replicate this process can be found by clicking on these three topics:

  • Outreach for Public Involvement
    pdf
  • Tools for Public Involvement
    pdf
  • Setting a Tone for Public Involvement
    pdf

The most important product to have come out of the Summits was the synthesis report Changing Direction: Transportation Choices for 2030, (pdf OR html). This has served the basis for CTAQC advocacy for "choice and change" in transportation investments.

Connecting Communities Summits are held in northeastern Illinois to facilitate public involvement in transportation planning. Before each summit, regional partners and local (community based) partners help Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT) staff invite a wide range of community members. Typically, 35 to 55 people attend the event. The same agenda is followed at every summit: an historical overview of transportation in the region; a brainstorming session to determine transportation-related obstacles and problems in the community; gathering of participant input on transportation improvements they want to see in their community through the ues of the transportation planning game, Transopoly (SM); an invitation to attend a "report-back session," where participants critique a draft of the Summit report.

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Past Summits

When the last summits were held in 2001-2002. The six county region was divided into 11 smaller areas to get local input. Eight supplemental mini-summits were held to target groups not strongly represented in the summit process, or groups that had special needs or concerns.

Each community thoroughly reviewed a draft report from the summit before the results were published. Click on the sub-regions below for the reports from the first summits and mini-summits held by the Connecting Communities project.


CALUMET REGION

Recommendations
April 7, 2001
pdf OR html
  • Good transit enhances economic development efforts.
  • Jobs and economic development are a high priority.
  • Relieving congestion would improve our quality of life.
  • More transit means more choices.

    • Partners: Human Action Community Organization, Lincolnway SCAT, Residents United to Retain Agricultural Lands, Shut This Airport Nightmare Down, Ministers Conference of South Cook County

    CHICAGO: NORTH SIDE

    Recommendations
    May 19, 2001
    pdf OR html
  • Develop east-west transportation alternatives.
  • Provide meaningful alternatives to alleviate congestion at Lake Shore Drive and Hollywood and along Elston and Clybourn corridors.
  • Increase inter-connectivity of existing transit network.
  • Upgrade existing transit infrastructure using universal design guidelines.
  • Expand Lakefront paths to Evanston, add bike lanes to existing streets.

    • Partners: 48th Ward, Break the Gridlock, Chicago Rehab Network, Lawrence Avenue Development Corportation, North Side College Prep High School

    NORTH-NORTHWEST COOK COUNTY

    Recommendations
    June 18, 2001
    pdfOR html
  • Extend rapid transit/rail service.
  • Expand bus and shuttle service to provide an alternative to car travel.
  • Improve the ease and safety of biking and walking for short trips.
  • Transportation planners must be accountable.
  • Integrate transit fares and services.

    • Partners: Evanston Sustainability Circle, Interfaith Housing Center of the North Suburbs, Palatine/Willow Road Community Mobilization Team

    LAKE COUNTY

    Recommendations
    July 24, 2001
    pdf OR html
  • Maintain existing communities in order to preserve open space.
  • Establish a grid network of accessible transit bus service throughout the developed parts of the county.
  • Expand rail service.
  • Create communities where walking is a pleasant option for completion of trips, continue to expand the region's multi-use trail network and create a network of safe bike/bus lanes on the region's east-west and north-south roads.
  • Make targeted improvements to existing road network to relieve traffic congestion.

    • Partners: Citizens Organized for Sound Transportation, Lake County Conservation Alliance, League of Women Voters: Lake County, Woods and Wetlands Group, Sierra Club

    MCHENRY COUNTY

    Recommendations
    September 19, 2001
    pdf OR html
  • Preserve our agricultural heritage and our invaluable open space.
  • Coordinate transportation planning with business, education, and regional leaders.
  • Use innovative shuttle service to connect McHenry County communities to job centers and train stations.
  • Expand and coordinate rail service.
  • A comprehensive network of sidewalks and bicycle routes is essential and fiscally responsible.

    • Partners: McHenry County Defenders

    CHICAGO: CENTRAL

    Recommendations
    October 24, 2001
    pdf OR html
  • Transit-oriented development promotes economic development and a high quality of life.
  • Efficient public transportation is essential.
  • Invest in pedestrians.
  • Increase bicycling options.
  • A new model for Chicago.

    • Partners: Bethel New Life, Inc., Blue Line Transit Task Force, Westside Health Authority, Westtown Leadership United

    CHICAGO: SOUTH SIDE

    Recommendations
    November 28, 2001
    pdf OR html
  • Create local jobs as well as access to jobs in other areas.
  • Build on existing transit assets.
  • Planning traditional neighborhood development will increase our transportation options.
  • Provide more and better opportunities for the public to be involved in transportation planning.

    • Partners: Center for Urban Politics & Policy at Chicago State University, Crerar Memorial Presbyterian Church, Greater Southwest Developmnet Corporation, Greater Washington Park Community Development Corporation, Southeast Chicago Development Commission, University of Chicago Environmental Center

    DUPAGE COUNTY

    Recommendations
    February 2, 2002
    pdf OR html
  • Maximize use of transit.
  • Make our communities safe for all travelers.
  • Preserve and protect our environment.
  • Use our taxes to give us choices.

    • Partners: Citizen Advocacy Center, DuPage Babysitting Co-op, Illinois Prairie Path, Mothers and More

    SOUTHWEST METRO REGION

    Recommendations
    February 28, 2002
    pdf OR html
  • Substantially increase transit options.
  • Increase transit.
  • Expand options for pedestrians, bicyclists, seniors, the disabled and children.
  • Develop with sensitivity to the environment.
  • Redesign, repair and retrofit our roads and bridges.

    • Partners: Human Action Community Organization, Institute for Public Policy and Administration, Governor's State University, Lincolnway SCAT

    KANE COUNTY

    Recommendations
    March 16, 2002
    pdf OR html
  • Invest heavily in transit in the Fox River corridor.
  • Increase public participation in planning.
  • Make those small bicycle and pedestrians improvements now.
  • Respect our county land management plan.

    • Partners: Community Energy Cooperative - Elgin, The Conservation Foundation, Dundee Township, Illinois Public Interest Research Group, Kane-DuPage Soil and Water Conservation District

    WEST COOK COUNTY

    Recommendations
    May 4, 2002
    pdf OR html
  • Significantly increase rail transit interconnectivity.
  • Improve access and coordination of transit.
  • Provide more options for walking and cycling.
  • Planners must heed the public's will.

    • Partners: Faith in Place, Progress Center for Independent Living

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    Mini-Summit Addendums

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