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Most recent articles

MPC staff, volunteers explore how region’s shifting demographics will affect growth and development

By MarySue Barrett
Feb 2, 2012

On January 26th, I was lucky to participate in a forum to learn from six sharp minds and then discuss the implications with my colleagues. Here’s what I learned about the metropolitan Chicago based on 2010 Census data: A greater percentage of Chicago-area residents are 65 or older. A…

Value Capture Case Studies: San Francisco’s Transbay Transit Center

By Chrissy Mancini Nichols
Jan 27, 2012

Value Capture Case Studies is an ongoing series highlighting ways in which cities and regions across the country are using value capture mechanisms to fund transportation plans. These case studies present novel learnings for the Chicago region as it grapples with how to pay for necessary…

Placemaking Case Study: Westhaven Park Community Garden

By Marisa Novara
Jan 23, 2012

MPC Research Assistant Kirsten Westergren authored this post. Placemaking Principle #9: Start with the petunias Complete with night-light installations and fruits and vegetables of all kinds, the now green 100’x130’ lot in the middle of the Westhaven Park housing development…

Value capture case studies: What is value capture?

By Chrissy Mancini Nichols
Jan 23, 2012

At MPC’s November 2011 roundtable on innovative financing tools for transportation funding, the Brookings Institution’s Rob Puentes offered sage advice for elected officials and policy makers: “We’ve run out of money. It’s time to start thinking!” he said. …

Gary: ‘The next comeback story of the Rust Belt’

By Mandy Burrell Booth
Dec 14, 2011

Gary, Ind., Mayor-elect Karen Freeman-Wilson thinks her city is ready to tell a different story – and she’s not alone: Some 500 people from Gary, Northwest Indiana and greater metropolitan Chicago filled the Genesis Center on Tuesday, Dec. 13, for “Gary: City of Promise,” a…

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Upcoming events

February 7	Cook County Vacant Building Ordinance Seminar 1:30 pm–3:30 am George Dunne County Building, 69 W. Washington, 17th Floor, Chicago

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Latest blog posts

House committee votes to end dedicated funding source for public transit, Amendment to restore bike and ped programs fails

Property registrants encouraged to attend 2/10 workshop on Cook County Vacant Building Ordinance

By Dominic Tocci
Feb 2, 2012
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House transportation bill to be marked-up today

Vacant properties in Latino communities: a discouraging irony

By Juliana Gonzalez-Crussi, Policy Analyst & Housing Outreach Coordinator, Latino Policy Forum
Feb 2, 2012
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Gov. Quinn announces Illinois Foreclosure Prevention Network

By Dominic Tocci
Feb 2, 2012
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Most recent news releases

Metropolitan Planning Council sets 2012 policy agenda

Jan 18, 2012
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W. Cook County Housing Collaborative to benefit from more than $7M in state, federal funding for foreclosure recovery, housing redevelopment near transit

Dec 3, 2011
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Gov. Quinn, HUD Regional Administrator Riley, Illinois elected officials, and DCEO Director Ribley join mayors, village presidents from West Cook County Housing Collaborative to make major funding announcement

Dec 1, 2011
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Web app to engage Little Village residents in creating park wins MPC’s Placemaking award in Apps for Metro Chicago Illinois contest

Oct 17, 2011
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Lake Zurich residents, business owners invited to community discussion on future of water management in the village

Oct 10, 2011
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