Cook County is in the early stages of public outreach for its first transportation plan since the 1940 “Highway Plan for Cook County.”
Steven Vance reports on the initial efforts in Chicago to develop a regional Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP). The Chicago Transit Authority, Metra, Pace, and the Chicago Department of Transportation are all at the table for the planning process, which is expected to take 18 months.
In a statement about the “Connecting Cook County” planning process, Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle focused on the plan’s potential to improve on the historic status quo of transportation planning the Cook County area. “We can no longer continue to make one-off transportation investments. We need a coherent strategy,” said Preckwinkle.
The statement also described the multi-modal focus of the LRTP, and the need to tie transportation planning to community and economic development. The current public outreach includes a public survey that uses the MetroQuest platform for tagging ideas and problems on a map of the area.
FULL STORY: Cook County Seeks Feedback on First Transportation Plan Since 1940

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions