The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning Ramps Up Technical Support Capacity Through Partnership with ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability USA
ICLEI USA will join forces with the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning for a Unique Regional Partnership to Provide Innovative Sustainability Planning Support to Local Governments in the Chicago Region.
Chicago, IL, April 30, 2011 --(PR.com)-- ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability USA (ICLEI USA) welcomes the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) as its newest Regional Affiliate and the first in Illinois. Under the Regional Affiliate Program, ICLEI USA will provide the agency with state-of-the-art tools to help local governments in northeastern Illinois improve sustainability performance—from software that measures energy expenditures to calculators that evaluate the impacts of different planning scenarios to policy templates that greatly improve the probability of plan execution.
“Regional planning bodies, including metropolitan planning organizations and regional councils of government, are increasingly important partners to local governments,” said Mayor Patrick Hays, City of North Little Rock, AR, Corporate President and Chair of the Board of Directors, ICLEI USA. “Municipalities have long looked to them for data, technical expertise, and as conveners on critical regional issues. And because a growing number of metropolitan areas are creating plans for regional prosperity, as has been done in northeastern Illinois with GOTO 2040, localities will benefit from tools that bring that regional vision to life locally. ICLEI USA is delighted to strengthen this local-regional connection through the Regional Affiliate Program.”
“Through our region's new GO TO 2040 comprehensive plan, the local governments of northeastern Illinois have demonstrated a strong commitment to the principles of sustainability," said CMAP Executive Director Randy Blankenhorn. “CMAP is committed to partnering with ICLEI, whose many tools and resources will help the communities of metropolitan Chicago to implement the plan and improve our economic competitiveness.”
ICLEI USA will work with other regional partners, including the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, to bring recognition to the Regional Affiliate Program and build support for local energy and sustainability planning generally in the seven-county Chicago region.
“Local governments remain the last best hope for sustainability innovation,” said Oak Park Village President David Pope, co-chair of the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus Environment Committee. “Most community leaders increasingly understand that sustainability performance constitutes a key element of quality of life for their residents, employees and visitors. Access to ICLEI USA tools and resources will enable their municipal staff and elected officials to take action on and advance many important planning initiatives that would otherwise remain cost prohibitive.”
The Regional Affiliate Program in northeastern Illinois is made possible in part through Searle Funds at The Chicago Community Trust.
About ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability USA
ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability USA is the leading nonprofit organization devoted to local governments engaged in sustainability, climate protection, and clean energy initiatives. The local governments we serve—including more than 600 active U.S. members—recognize the importance of creating livable, prosperous communities, addressing climate change, and saving energy and money in the process. ICLEI USA provides the expertise, technical support, training, and tools to help its members advance their goals. See www.icleiusa.org for more information.
About the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning
The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) is the comprehensive regional planning organization for the northeastern Illinois counties of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will. By state and federal law, CMAP is responsible for producing the region's official, integrated plan for land use and transportation. The agency's innovative GO TO 2040 planning campaign develops and implements strategies to shape the region's transportation system and development patterns, while also addressing the natural environment, economic development, housing, education, human services, and other factors shaping quality of life. See www.cmap.illinois.gov for more information.
About the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus
The Metropolitan Mayors Caucus provides a forum through which the chief elected officials of the region cooperatively develop consensus on common public policy issues and multi-jurisdictional challenges. See www.mayorscaucus.org for more information.
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“Regional planning bodies, including metropolitan planning organizations and regional councils of government, are increasingly important partners to local governments,” said Mayor Patrick Hays, City of North Little Rock, AR, Corporate President and Chair of the Board of Directors, ICLEI USA. “Municipalities have long looked to them for data, technical expertise, and as conveners on critical regional issues. And because a growing number of metropolitan areas are creating plans for regional prosperity, as has been done in northeastern Illinois with GOTO 2040, localities will benefit from tools that bring that regional vision to life locally. ICLEI USA is delighted to strengthen this local-regional connection through the Regional Affiliate Program.”
“Through our region's new GO TO 2040 comprehensive plan, the local governments of northeastern Illinois have demonstrated a strong commitment to the principles of sustainability," said CMAP Executive Director Randy Blankenhorn. “CMAP is committed to partnering with ICLEI, whose many tools and resources will help the communities of metropolitan Chicago to implement the plan and improve our economic competitiveness.”
ICLEI USA will work with other regional partners, including the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, to bring recognition to the Regional Affiliate Program and build support for local energy and sustainability planning generally in the seven-county Chicago region.
“Local governments remain the last best hope for sustainability innovation,” said Oak Park Village President David Pope, co-chair of the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus Environment Committee. “Most community leaders increasingly understand that sustainability performance constitutes a key element of quality of life for their residents, employees and visitors. Access to ICLEI USA tools and resources will enable their municipal staff and elected officials to take action on and advance many important planning initiatives that would otherwise remain cost prohibitive.”
The Regional Affiliate Program in northeastern Illinois is made possible in part through Searle Funds at The Chicago Community Trust.
About ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability USA
ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability USA is the leading nonprofit organization devoted to local governments engaged in sustainability, climate protection, and clean energy initiatives. The local governments we serve—including more than 600 active U.S. members—recognize the importance of creating livable, prosperous communities, addressing climate change, and saving energy and money in the process. ICLEI USA provides the expertise, technical support, training, and tools to help its members advance their goals. See www.icleiusa.org for more information.
About the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning
The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) is the comprehensive regional planning organization for the northeastern Illinois counties of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will. By state and federal law, CMAP is responsible for producing the region's official, integrated plan for land use and transportation. The agency's innovative GO TO 2040 planning campaign develops and implements strategies to shape the region's transportation system and development patterns, while also addressing the natural environment, economic development, housing, education, human services, and other factors shaping quality of life. See www.cmap.illinois.gov for more information.
About the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus
The Metropolitan Mayors Caucus provides a forum through which the chief elected officials of the region cooperatively develop consensus on common public policy issues and multi-jurisdictional challenges. See www.mayorscaucus.org for more information.
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ICLEI USA
Michael Davidson
(312) 848-3041
www.icleiusa.org
Michael Davidson
(312) 848-3041
www.icleiusa.org
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