25942_MPCAR1-15:MPC Annual Report 2007-08 8/22/09 7:53 AM Page 1 2007-08 BIENNIAL REPORT Connecting the Dots for a Competitive, Equitable and Sustainable Chicago Region 25942_MPCAR1-15:MPC Annual Report 2007-08 8/17/09 9:53 AM Page 2 Since 1934, the Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) has been dedicated to shaping a more sustainable and prosperous greater Chicago region. As an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, MPC serves communities and residents by developing, promoting and implementing solutions for sound regional growth. New logo and mission statement approved by the Board of Governors in December 2008. 25942_MPCAR1-15:MPC Annual Report 2007-08 8/17/09 9:17 AM Page 3 THE METROPOLITAN PLANNING COUNCIL connects the dots — between regional needs, challenges, and solutions, and among the individuals and organizations with the power and capacity to guide the growth of an ever-changing Chicago metropolitan region. In 2008, following a two-year strategic communications assess- ment — conducted by an impressive group of marketing profes- sionals donating their time and expertise — the MPC Board of Governors approved a new logo and mission statement that capture our core essence as a connector of people and ideas committed to making the Chicago region a prosperous and desirable place to live and work. MPC’s previous mission and logo, which illustrated our commitment to the greater Chicagoland region, represented us well for more than a decade. Still, it was clear, times had changed and so had we. Regional problem-solving is no longer an unfamiliar idea, but valued and used by residents and policymakers alike. At 75-years-old, MPC is a vital part of a growing field of sensible planning and sustainable development proponents. Through an internal restructuring in 2007, MPC redoubled its focus on the projects and activities with which we could have the greatest positive impact. On the following pages of this biennial report, documenting our work and accomplishments in 2007 and 2008, you can read more about MPC’s high-impact priorities. By looking back at the last two years, as well as anticipating 2009 and beyond, we share the story of how MPC is working to create an economically competitive, socially equitable, and environmen- tally sustainable region. For all the progress MPC has made over the last three-quarters of a century, and especially during the past two years, there is still a tremendous amount to do. We are energized by the current federal government’s increasing understanding that metro regions will drive the economic recovery. Change at the state level in Illinois, new models of collaboration among our municipal partners, and a fresh perspective on who we are and what we do all strengthen our resolve to seize the moment to put the Chicago region back on the path to prosperity. We invite you to join us. MARYSUE BARRETT, President LEE M. MITCHELL, Chair MPC BIENNIAL REPORT 2007-08 • 1 25942_MPCAR1-15:MPC Annual Report 2007-08 8/17/09 9:20 AM Page 4 A COMPETITIVE REGION MPC worked to draft legislation establishing a system in Illinois for allocating capital resources based on statewide goals and measurable criteria to reap the greatest return on taxpayer dollars. IN A PERFECT WORLD, when economic times are good, public investments are made where they can have the greatest impact. With comprehensive, long-term planning, sound investment will sustain us through a bad economic stretch. The Metropolitan Planning Council promotes fresh, innovative strategies that answer the region’s most challenging problems. Since 1934, MPC has been leading the way on a range of new and better ideas to make the Chicago region more competitive — in good times and bad. Our accomplishments in 2007 and 2008 are no exception. 25942_MPCAR1-15:MPC Annual Report 2007-08 8/18/09 8:32 AM Page 5 Capital Investment Transit Innovation Criteria Imagine how much there Illinois has not had a is to learn from the capital investment pro- world’s brightest transit gram — to build or even and land use minds about maintain essential infra- fresh approaches to structure like transit, reducing gridlock and bridges and schools — improving mobility and since Illinois FIRST was livability in our region. first enacted in 1999 and Thanks to a two-year expired in 2004. The state partnership with Bom- has never had a compre- bardier, MPC has had that hensive set of objective, valuable opportunity. cost-benefit criteria to In June 2008, transporta- Bus Rapid Transit in Bogata, Columbia. evaluate which projects tion delegates from New to fund. exchange of innovative the grant by approving York, San Francisco, and ideas, successes and just one — the privatiza- In 2007 and 2008, MPC Chicago met in Stock- solutions. tion of the city’s parking worked to draft legislation holm, Sweden, to learn meters — of three neces- establishing a statewide about congestion pricing Bus Rapid Transit sary measures. The silver system for allocating and transit expansion Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lining is the city has the capital resources based on during the first of two is a unique bus network opportunity to reapply for statewide goals and meas- international peer that travels in dedicated funding, with a stronger urable criteria to reap the exchanges. In May 2009, lanes and uses signal pri- proposal linked to com- greatest return on tax- MPC and a second dele- oritization technology to munity revitalization and payer dollars. It was intro- gation traveled to Berlin, extend green lights, allow- the 2016 Olympics. duced to the Illinois Germany. Before and ing a bus to travel more General Assembly 2009 as after that trip, MPC is In 2009, MPC will contin- quickly than other traffic the Transportation Invest- using online and social ue its work to coordinate through a corridor and ment Accountability Act media technology to con- with northeastern Illinois’ improve on-time service (HB 2359), sponsored by nect participants with transit agencies and stake- by up to 30 percent. Ill. Rep. Kathy Ryg (D- local decision makers, holders to promote BRT Vernon Hills). and facilitate an ongoing In 2008, MPC was and a range of other encouraged to see BRT transportation improve- was a major component ment and development of the City of Chicago’s proposals to increase proposal for a $153 mil- regional mobility and lion Congestion Reduction decrease the number of Demonstration Grant miles driven per person. from the U.S. Dept. of In addition, MPC’s Ad Transportation. Hoc Olympic Legacy Committee will work to Unfortunately, Chicago’s advance BRT in Chicago. City Council missed its 2008 deadline to apply for Hauptbahnhof Station, Berlin, Germany. MPC BIENNIAL REPORT 2007-08 • 3 25942_MPCAR1-15:MPC Annual Report 2007-08 8/17/09 9:21 AM Page 6 The costs of • The costs of conges- Most importantly, MPC’s congestion to tion are threatening report shows congestion Chicagoland Chicagoland’s place in is not confined to the the global economy. city limits, but is a prob- veryone knows traf- Armed with the The freight industry lem across the region. fic in Chicagoland is results of its E alone loses $1 billion While gridlock happens bad and getting worse, each year — enough to most in Chicago, much groundbreaking, but most people don’t fund the local share of of that traffic originates realize how much it data-rich 2008 the CREATE program to elsewhere. And, the con- costs them — and the modernize and improve gestion is actually worse report “Moving region — every year. the region’s freight on local arterial roads In August 2008, MPC at the Speed of infrastructure. throughout the region released its report, than it is on expressways. Congestion,” MPC Moving at the Speed • For every hour a driver has been making of Congestion, which sits in rush-hour traffic “If nothing is done to breaks down the cost of in the Chicago area, he solve Chicagoland’s traf- the case for fresh traffic jams (at 2008 or she kisses goodbye fic dilemma, by 2030 thinking to solve prices) in metropolitan $14.76. That’s $1,579 a we’ll be squandering one of our region’s Chicago to show the year — enough to cover $11.3 billion a year due effect on people, busi- several months’ worth of to traffic,” said MarySue most urgent nesses and counties. The groceries, fill up the Barrett, MPC president. and expensive results are staggering: average car’s gas tank 25 “Excess congestion has times, or take a family infected the entire • Traffic costs the region challenges. of four to Disney World! region’s transportation $7.3 billion a year — network, and everyone nearly twice previous • As people struggle to from Kane to Cook estimates — in lost time, make ends meet, they should support and fuel and environmental may be surprised to invest in solutions.” damages. learn lost time costs them nearly 20 times more than wasted fuel. 25942_MPCAR1-15:MPC Annual Report 2007-08 8/22/09 7:57 AM Page 7 FEDERAL INVESTMENT REFORM n anticipation of a Inew presidential administration A LOOK AHEAD in Washington, D.C., MPC convened local and national part- ners to begin shaping a ing programs, ally with President Barack Obama spoke at MPC’s 2004 Annual new framework for national and regional Luncheon, as a candidate for U.S. Senate. In 2008, federal investment that partners to identify smart Henry Cisneros, executive chairman of CitiView and recognizes priorities and solutions, and promote former secretary of the U.S. Dept. of Housing and ensures accountability, a reform agenda that Urban Development, represented Obama at MPC’s rewards innovation and rewards local communi- Annual Luncheon, Metropolitan Mandate: How the collaboration, and ties that are making Next President Will Maximize Metro Potential.