Transforming Federal Policies to Strengthen Regions
Many of the decisions made by state and local governments are directed, even dictated, by misguided federal investment policies. Too often, money flows through issue-specific streams, to units of government too small or too large to adequately address the problem at hand, and without a clear set of measurable goals. Goal-driven, right-sized, and coordinated investment would spur innovation and put Chicagoland and the rest of the nation on a more sustainable, equitable, and economically viable path. MPC and many of its partners are working to reform federal policies through research, advocacy, and on-the-ground pilot projects that generate specific policy reform.
MPC, in partnership with the Center for Neighborhood Technology, Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, and the Regional Transportation Authority, produced Advancing Livability Principles: Federal Investment Reform Lessons from the Chicagoland Experience, which outlines the partners’ collective ideas for putting the Obama administration’s joint-agency livability principles into action, and showcases the Chicago region’s successes as models for nationwide implementation of federal investment policies that are goal-oriented, right-sized, and coordinated.
Download Advancing Livability Principles: Federal Investment Reform Lessons from the Chicagoland Experience.
Articles
MPC 'invents the future' with CMAP, as GO TO 2040 nears adoption-
- More than three years in the making, the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) is wrapping up its GO TO 2040 plan for the future of northeastern Illinois, which is expected to launch in October. GO TO 2040 will be the region's first plan that coordinates metropolitan Chicago's land use…
Chicago Tribune poll confirms regional demand for transit-
- The Chicago Tribune released poll results this weekend showing suburbanites think transit investment is more important than money for roads. Among the key findings:
When asked whether improving or building expressways and tollways or improving and adding to mass transit should be a greater…
Senate candidates go on the record on regional, state planning issues at MPC's 2010 Annual Luncheon-
- At MPC’s 2010 Annual Luncheon on Monday, June 21, Illinois’ U.S. Senate candidates Alexi Giannoulias (D), Mark Kirk (R), and LeAlan Jones (Green) had the opportunity to explain their platforms for supporting the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning's efforts in metropolitan Chicago,…
Charting a new course for the Chicago River-
- The Chicago River has been in the public eye in the past few weeks, a spotlight it too rarely enjoys. First, the Obama Adminstration came down on the side of disinfection; Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley subsequently reiterated his ongoing support enhanced treatment and a cleaner river. Asian carp…
2010 Annual Luncheon
Illinois: Is there a cure?-
- Register today for MPC's 2010 Annual Luncheon Illinois: Is there a Cure?
Featuring Ill. Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk, Republican nominee for U.S. Senate LeAlan Jones, Green Party nominee for U.S. Senate
Monday, June 21, 2010 Hyatt Regency…
More related articles »
Multimedia
Federal Investment Reform fact sheet-
- Publication
- (54 KB)
- June 23, 2010
- The Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) shapes policies and supports direct investments in an economically competitive, socially equitable, and environmentally sustainable Chicagoland region. Implementing this vision requires public investment and development policies spanning multiple agencies and…
Livable Communities Act
S 1619 and HR 4690: Federal framework to promote local competitiveness and sustainability-
- Publication
- (573 KB)
- March 3, 2010
- The Livable Communities Act (S 1619 and HR 4690) would provide a multi-year authorization for federal sustainability initiatives. The bill authorizes $4 billion over four years for regional planning and challenge grants to make communities more livable, and eliminates federal barriers to…
Advancing Livability Principles: Federal Investment Reform Lessons from the Chicagoland Experience-
- Publication
- (1 MB)
- October 30, 2009
- During a time of historic economic change, the strength of the Chicagoland region – or any region across the nation, for that matter -- depends on smart federal investment strategies. As more and more communities need resources to fund outdated infrastructure, deal with the foreclosure…
- MPC 2009 Annual Luncheon: Connecting the Dots: Metropolitan Chicago's Path to Prosperity
-
- Listen to this recording of MPC's 2009 Annual Luncheon, which featured a joint appearance by three members of President Obama’s Cabinet to discuss their interagency Sustainable Communities Partnership and other new federal initiatives to improve the nation's metro regions.
- Metropolitan Planning Council 2008 Annual Luncheon, Metropolitan Mandate: How the Next President Will Maximize Metro Potential
-
- At MPC's 2008 Annual Meeting Luncheon, representatives of the two major party nominees for President of the United States presented their candidates' plans and priorities for solving the most urgent issues impeding the nation's regions and cities.
More related multimedia »
Links
- America 2050
America 2050 is a national initiative to meet the infrastructure, economic development and environmental challenges of the nation as we prepare to add about 130 million additional Americans by the year 2050.
More info »- Brookings Institution’s Metropolitan Policy Program
- Created in 1996, the Brookings Institution’s Metropolitan Policy Program provides decision makers with cutting-edge research and policy ideas for improving the health and prosperity of cities and metropolitan areas. More info »
More related links »
Collaborators
Partners
Center for Neighborhood Technology
Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning
Regional Transportation Authority
Metropolitan Policy Program at Brookings Institution
National Housing Conference
Funders
Allstate Corporation
Boeing
The Chicago Community Trust
Gaylord & Dorothy Donnelley Foundation
Microsoft
