Center for Neighborhood Technology

Chicago Matters Series Covers Sustainability in 2008

Now in its 18th year, Chicago’s award-winning multimedia public affairs series returns in 2008 with Chicago Matters: Growing Forward, to examine how the choices we make today impact our environment and the future of our region.

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CNT Update, November 2007

CNT News
1. Green Infrastructure Permeates Through Chicago
2. “Maps in the Public Square” Now Online
3. I-GO Partners with Carsharing Throughout North America

Sustainability News
1. Chicagoland Transit and the Lows of Negotiation
2. Greenbuild Leaves a Trail of Sustainability Initiatives
3. Calculating What it Means to be Green

CNT Toolkit
1. Tool Spotlight: Illinois Pedestrian Guide
2. CNT in the News
3. Staff News
4. Jobs

Support Your Local ‘Green’ Think Tank
1. Donate to CNT’s 2007 Annual Fund
2. Attend a Summit on Climate Change
3. Support CNT While you Holiday Shop

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CNT News
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1. Green Infrastructure Permeates Through Chicago
Just how permeable is the Chicago region? Green infrastructure demonstration projects like the Wangari Maathai Natural Garden, a native garden at the Al Raby School on the west side and now the St. Margaret Mary School native garden on the north side, are making Chicago a ‘green sponge’ for stormwater, creating natural open space in an urban environment that also raises awareness about the potential for community greening.

On October 18th, students and parishioners worked with Green Corps to plant nearly 500 native Illinois prairie plants in the main parking lot of the church and school. The “green infrastructure” was blessed and officially dedicated by St. Margaret Mary’s priest, Father Jim Barrett, on October 28th.

Creating more green space and using existing green space more wisely throughout the Chicago region will reduce runoff, protect water quality, and sustainably enhance communities while saving money on infrastructure investments. As Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dr. Wangari Maathai declared while speaking at the recent dedication of the garden project at Al Raby High School, “it is this type of activity that should be replicated a billion times throughout the world.”

This latest green infrastructure research and demonstration project, funded by the U.S. EPA, is a partnership with the City of Chicago to gather engineering and soil data on the performance of stormwater best management practices (BMP’s) that use the power of plants to absorb and clean rainfall runoff. The gardens were built with Green Corps, a City-sponsored community landscaping and job training program. CNT will use these features to demonstrate how green infrastructure can fit into attractive neighborhoods and improve local drainage problems.

Look at pictures from the planting day at St. Margaret Mary School and Church http://www.flickr.com/photos/29965049@N00/sets/72157602725152275/

2. “Maps in the Public Square” Now Online
Maps are not only tools that get you from Point A to Point B. They can also expose visually an important story about resource patterns and trends of a defined area. They tackle social questions like, “Are Starbucks an indicator of gentrification?” or “Do lower-income communities have less access to fresh produce?” Depicting instances like these help community members and planners better deal with the needs of an area that may not always be clear.

Chicago’s Festival of Maps celebrates the array of beneficial uses maps provide. During the festival, the online exhibit, “Maps in the Public Square: An Atlas of the Next Chicago Region” highlights the creative combination of mapmaking and public policy in the Chicago region. The region’s groundbreaking advances in regional planning, sustainable urban development, and community decision-making have been supported and given shape by equally groundbreaking cartography. The exhibit draws on both the deep Chicago well of public discussion and the newest mapmaking technologies to create an annotated atlas of the best of the recent work in this area.

With contributions from CNT, Openlands, and Chicago Metropolis 2020, to name a few, these maps tell historical stories about the region and also reveal future implications through different topics like ‘work’ ‘moving’ ‘plans and visions’ and ‘play’.

Where are the emerging art-focused neighborhoods? Where are the ‘food deserts’ in Chicago? What is the average household transportation expense in a particular district? These are just some of the fascinating questions that can be explored at this online exhibit that runs into 2008 and will then become an online atlas. The exhibit contains over sixty map images as well as links to online mapping website and is curated is Mark Bouman, Professor of Geography at Chicago State University.

Peruse the exhibit at http://www.mapsinthepublicsquare.org/.

3. I-GO Partners with Carsharing throughout North America
In a move that boosts the viability of car sharing as an alternative to owning a car, I-GO recently partnered with other not-for-profit carsharing groups in Philadelphia, San Francisco and five Canadian cities to develop and adopt a code of ethics. The decision was made following discussions held in October in Montreal by the carsharing organizations in Philadelphia (PhillyCarShare), Montreal and Quebec City (Communauto), Ottawa (Vrtucar), Toronto (AutoShare), Kitchener (Grand River CarShare), Chicago (I-GO), San Francisco (City CarShare), and Vancouver (Co-operative Auto Network).

For the organizations participating, a code of ethics will help guide and strengthen carsharing as an emerging industry. The code’s main objectives are to establish professional business standards that will protect and enhance the concept, the image and the credibility of carsharing, to ensure social and environmental commitment, customer protection and transparency.

The idea of carsharing is to reduce private ownership of cars, decrease overall driving, improve the environment, reduce congestion and improve the quality of life in our cities. A code of ethics will provide a standard that helps to ensure these principles are sustained as the industry grows.

I-GO CEO, Sharon Feigon, said in a recent press release, “Carsharing programs have already had remarkable results in reducing car ownership. As concerns about climate change become more pressing, we expect the industry to continue to grow and we want to ensure that the industry continues to focus on reducing carbon emissions. It is critical that we have standards so that providers accurately calculate and share the environmental results from their programs and continue to contribute to achieving the substantial environmental benefits possible from carsharing,”

Together, the participating organizations have a combined total of over 75,000 members and 2,000 vehicles. This is great news for members of I-GO, who will soon have access to cars in these other cities. And at the conference in Montreal, all North American carsharing organizations were invited to join this effort and most expressed interest, so now having an I-GO membership can mean great things for the traveling kind.

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Sustainability News
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1. Chicagoland Transit and the Lows of Negotiation
In proper dramatic fashion, a last minute infusion of federal funds to the tune of $27 million helped to avert the most recent mass transit crisis. Transit in the Chicago region will continue as usual through the end of 2007, though, as transit-riders at a CTA board public hearing Monday evening made clear, “as usual” is not as good as it should be.

Moreover, the extra funds will run out on January 20th. The CTA board met and voted to eliminate 81 of their 154 routes, lay off more than 2,000 workers, and raise fares if further funds do not appear before then.

Currently, legislators are working to find a funding source for transit that will raise capital for other infrastructure projects, along with Governor Blagojevich and Mayor Daley. Legislators have so far been unwilling to support SB 572, a comprehensive funding and reform bill proposed by Rep. Julie Hamos (D-Evanston) that would secure the future of Northeastern Illinois’ transit network.

Now, Governor Blagojevich has mandated a special session in Springfield on November 28 to agree on a plan so service cuts and fare increases as proposed will not go into effect on January 20.

To get a better sense of what has led to the current modus operandi—coming to a crux as politicians storm out of meetings, one-up another with insults, and refuse to attend meetings altogether—CNT’s Vice President for Policy, Transportation and Community Development, Jacky Grimshaw was recently on CAN-TV discussing the history of the RTA-transit issue in the Chicagoland region, beginning in 1983, when the incumbent Republican administration restructured the agency. Watch the video at http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3600123879951637368&hl=en(Note: Audio may cut out and the issue is being resolved).

Now, as the RTA is working on their 2008 operating and capital program budget for the region’s transit system, they are asking public input. Twelve public budget meetings are scheduled across the region, and they are strongly encouraging the public to attend. To see a meeting schedule, go to http://movingbeyondcongestion.org/downloads/meetings_schedule__08.pdf

2. Greenbuild Leaves a Trail of Sustainability Initiatives
The U.S. Green Building Council’s annual conference, “Greenbuild” recently came to Chicago, with record attendance estimated at 22,835. The presence in Chicago became a significant focus as new programs were announced that will help make lasting impressions to Chicago’s green reputation.

President Bill Clinton gave the keynote on the first day, unveiling two programs that the Clinton Climate Initiative and City of Chicago are partnering on, aimed at helping Chicago homeowners and owners of commercial buildings modernize their buildings to reduce energy use. The Energy Efficiency Building Retrofit Program is designed to enable cities to implement cost-effective, green retrofits of existing buildings, and will begin on the Sears Tower and the Merchandise Mart. The buildings will first undergo audits to evaluate green elements that make sense and then will be overhauled to increase energy efficiency and reduce their carbon footprints.

The initiative builds off existing City programs, which, as part of The Preservation Compact initiated by the Chicago-based MacArthur Foundation, is retrofitting affordable housing developments of between four and 25 units. CNT Energy and Chicago Investment Corporation are among the partner organizations and will work in the area of reducing operating costs in multifamily rental properties. The organizations have created Cook County Energy Savers, a one-stop energy efficiency program that will provide technical assistance and loans for energy-efficiency improvements.

Last year, Chicago became one of forty cities around the world to begin the relationship with the Clinton Foundation’s Climate Change Initiative that led the announcement at Greenbuild. Mayor Daley also announced in a press conference that the Chicago Climate Change Task Force final report will be released in early 2008, and the City will evaluate its long-range recommendations, which CNT also contributed to by researching and producing 33 mitigation strategies the City should implement.

One thing was clear about Greenbuild this year: ‘green’ has hit the mainstream, as the huge presence from corporations like GE and DOW Chemicals revealed. As sustainability has advanced beyond a fringe way of living; now a strong movement, it is important that the ethics and ideals that conceived it are still upheld and advanced. Now that we are fundamentally altering the way our buildings are designed and how our travel connects points A to B, will the private corporate investment help maintain this ethic?

Tell us your thoughts here.

3. Calculating What it Means to be Green
Since being ‘green’ is no longer just about the feel-good benefits, bragging about your waste reduction habits or cutting-edge solar panels on your roof doesn’t quite impress the more savvy consumer looking to be environmentally responsible while saving money. As a result, more and more emerging tools help people know exactly why going green can also be about saving themselves the other kind of green.

The Eating Green Calculator, created by the Center for Science in the Public Interest, helps display how your food choices translate into pounds of fertilizer, manure, and pesticides and acres of grain and grass for animal feed. The calculator also lets you see how the numbers would change if you reduced your consumption of a specific meat or dairy product. Try it out at http://www.cspinet.org/EatingGreen/calculator.html.

CNT’s calculators like the Green Values Stormwater Calculator and Travel Matters Emission Calculator help you to figure out the costs-benefits of your actions as well as providing information on how to change the habits that may be costing you more and impacting the planet more harshly.

Travelmatters Individual Calculator measures how much greenhouse gas you generate as a result of your daily transportation activity. By entering the monthly distances you traveled by mode of transportation - on foot, by bicycle, car, bus, train, plane, or boat - the calculator will do your “greenhouse gas accounting” for you. As a resource tool, the profile allows you to set goals for personal emissions reduction, and then to follow your progress. By illuminating the links between transportation and global warming, the TravelMatters calculator will help you make better-informed decisions about how you travel. Calculate your travel footprint at http://www.travelmatters.org/calculator/individual/?sid=84aff14792151e9a8e8cfcdafdc36bdd

The Green Values Calculator is the first step in achieving a full understanding of the role that green infrastructure can play in alternative infrastructure provisions. The tool allows developers, regulators or property owners to assess the economic and hydrological impact of green versus conventional stormwater management. Try it out at http://greenvalues.cnt.org/calculator.

‘Green calculators’ are an easy and interactive way to determine if and how your efforts are making an environmental impact and if and how they are impacting your wallet.

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CNT Toolkit
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1. Tool Spotlight: Illinois Pedestrian Guide
Often overlooked, walking is the most common, healthy and affordable way to get around. Did you know that for about 30% of Americans are either too young, do not have access to a car, choose not to drive or have a condition that precludes them from driving?

This guide explains what both pedestrians and drivers need to do to keep Illinois walking safely. Download this convenient pocket/wallet guide at http://www.cnt.org/repository/PedestrianRules.pdf and learn some rules of the road and tips you may have not known.

2. CNT in the News

November 3 was a National Day of Climate Action, though given the news coverage on an almost daily basis, it has become clear that the issue justifies more than one day of action. The national coalition “Step it Up” brought in speakers from all sectors, in different venues around the country for this day of action. The Step it Up website has compiled reports about Chicago’s event, where CNT Energy’s Anthony Star spoke about Chicago’s baseline emissions and targets.
Read at http://events.stepitup2007.org/november/reports/2078.

Power Smart Pricing, the CNT Energy administered program, has rolled out full-scale to Ameren customers in downstate Illinois. Residential customers now have the option to pay for their electricity on a ‘real-time’ market rate basis, versus the traditional averaged-out price per day. Read more about the program in Illinois, which is the first state to offer real-time residential pricing.
Read at http://www.cntenergy.org/news/?cat=5.

Last fall, the City of Evanston joined 699 other cities and signed onto a Climate Protection Agreement that follows the Kyoto Protocol. Under goals set by that act, by 2012 Evanston should lower emissions to 7 percent below what they were in 1990. Evanston has been holding public meetings in an effort to begin their plan to attain this goal. The Daily Northwestern covered the most recent public meeting, where CNT’s Linda Young talked about Chicago’s mitigation strategies.
Read at http://weblog.cnt.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/evanstonclimateplan_dailynorthwestern111407.pdf

3. Staff News
CNT is growing and filling up with excellent new talent:

Kang Chang is CNT’s new Research and Operations Associate
Garrett Phillips is working on CNT’s Smart Growth in Older Neighborhoods projects in Blue Island, Harvey and Milwaukee
Dylan Walsh is helping to develop curriculum for the Equity Express program in Oakland, CA

4. Jobs

Safe Routes to School Coordinator for Logan Square Neighborhood Association
http://www.lsna.net/display.aspx?pointer=4921

Communications and Marketing Director, Illinois Environmental Council
http://www.ilenviro.org/news/?item=88

Also, check out the Chicagoland Green Collar Jobs Initiative’s Jobs Summit on December 7.
http://www.greencollarchicago.org/

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Support Your Local ‘Green’ Think Tank
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1. It’s that time of year! Donate to CNT’s 2007 Annual Fund
Your support helps CNT develop the innovative programs that build more livable and sustainable urban communities. Unrestricted funding in particular—not tied to any specific project—gives us the freedom to test different strategies and fund the research and development activities that larger institutional donors are less able to support.

Thanks to individuals like you, over the past year, CNT has:

Please help sustain our efforts at http://www.cnt.org/support. Thanks for your generosity!

2. Get involved in creating a climate change agenda! Attend the CMAP Summit
The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning and its regional partners will host the second in a series of Innovation + Integration summits. In developing the 2040 Regional Comprehensive Plan — due for completion in 2010 — CMAP is beginning a dialogue on the development of a regional agenda for addressing impacts of climate change. This is one of the nation’s first such efforts to take a regional approach. CMAP and its partners will collect pertinent research and analyze it to determine potential implications for communities across the region.

The summit agenda will feature distinguished speakers assessing the risks and opportunities in terms of our energy future, human and natural resource health, infrastructure, commerce, and land-use and transportation planning. This event is designed for policy makers and advocates across the following areas: municipal, county and regional representation, land-use and transportation, economic development, health and human services, natural resources, developers, business and civic organizations, faith-based organizations, CMAP board committees.

Read more and see the agenda at http://www.cmap.illinois.gov/summit/default.aspx#agenda. CNT’s Peter Haas will be beginning the Summit with an overview of what the region can expect as the regional agenda moves forward.

3. Support CNT While you Holiday Shop
Giveline.com is an online store created for the community-minded shopper, offering more than a million bestselling products including books, movies, music, electronics, housewares, gifts and more. Every purchase generates a substantial donation to CNT - an amazing average of 16% of store sales, sometimes as high as 33%. Giveline has great products, great service, and great prices - the only difference between Giveline and other major online retailers is that every purchase earns money for our organization. Check it out today, and if you decide to buy, remember that CNT will earn significant funds in support of our mission!

Read more at http://www.giveline.com/default.asp?V=&p=&mc=MC000&s1=&s2=

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You can support our efforts in building more sustainable urban communities by making a donation online by clicking the button below.

Questions about anything you’ve read or interested in learning more? Contact Annette at annette@cnt.org.

CNT Update, October 2007

Sustainability News
1. Taking Mass Transit… Seriously in the Region
2. Planning Accessible Streets for All
3. Chicago’s ‘Greenest City’ Position Tested

CNT News
1. Bridging a Gap Between Chicago and Nairobi
2. CNT’s Work Seen from Oak Park to Walthamstow
3. Salute to Jacky Grimshaw Sails Off Without a Hitch

Toolbox
1. CNT in the News
2. Spotlight: Green Maps
3. Staff Changes
4. Job Openings

Support “Your Neighborhood Green Think Tank”
1. Sign Up for A Fresh Squeeze Newsletter
2. Go See Human Rhythm Project’s: Global Rhythms
3. Donate through Earth Shares of Illinois

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SUSTAINABILITY TIP: Quick, go get your rain barrel: The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District has a new program to sell rain barrels to Cook County residents for the bargain price of $40. Roll ‘em out from these locations, disconnect your downspout and revel in using Nature’s free water. More info at http://www.mwrd.org/mo/barrel/barrel.aspx.
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Sustainability News
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1. Taking Mass Transit… Seriously in the Region
Service cuts, raised fares, and increased congestion. All these persist as very real prospects for the Chicago region. The two leading options on the table are increasing the regional sales tax or increasing gambling. And the solution the Governor and Senate Leaders are (ironically) betting on are casinos, while a sales tax bill is held up in the Senate.

Meanwhile plans to slash 39 bus routes and raise fares to $3 on November 4 still looms. After that, in January, a new wave of service cuts and fare hikes promise to be even more devastating to the region.

The legislators seem content at setting up hurdle-like scenarios— repeating ‘doomsday’ deadlines and extensions instead of taking the issue seriously enough to enact a real, long-term funding solution—while the region loses money. The nation’s second oldest and second largest transportation system deteriorates with service becoming even more unreliable, congestion increases as people must get into their cars to get around, air pollution increases while other cities are making hard-hitting greenhouse gas reduction plans. The region reverts.

While lawmakers and CTA officials talk about budget shortfalls, throwing around increasingly daunting numbers, a new discussion is emerging about the costs of NOT appropriately funding the transit system. A recent urban mobility report by the Texas Traffic Institute estimates that, in a year, drivers in the Chicago region waste 141 million gallons of fuel while sitting in traffic (2.9 billion gallons nationally), which, together with the lost time and traffic delays cost the region roughly $4 billion ($78.2 billion nationally).

Instead of regarding the region’s transit system as a financial burden, the reality is that investing in transit pays off. A recent study by Chicago Metropolis 2020 points out that investment results in more businesses, additional jobs and less traffic for everybody. The study concludes that if lawmakers invested $1.68 billion a year to maintain the system, residents would see a 21 percent return in the form of additional business activity. If transit officials got about another $1 billion a year, the region would realize a 34 percent return on investment.

While the legislature plays financial ping-pong with funding scenarios, guaranteeing doomsday after doomsday scenario hurdles, and we all gulp at budget windfalls, service cuts and fare increases, the region gets further pushed into economic and environmental relapse.

We shouldn’t cringe when saying that the region’s bus and rail system will cost $1.7 billion a year (according to CTA officials). And another billion dollars to expand the system as the population grows. And long-term funding to bridge a shortfall of more than $200 million. Adding three new casinos would still short mass transit’s necessary funding—and that’s simply not what is needed to keep the region running, in more ways than just the buses.

See the Transit Future website on how to contact legislators and the Governor and let them know how important transit is to you, at http://transitfuture.cnt.org/take-action/.

2. Planning Accessible Streets for All
Another piece of the pie in achieving sustainable development is promoting various types of transportation modes. It seems fairly intuitive that if there are sidewalks present and accessible, the instinct to use them rather than a car or even the bus, would persist. This simple observation just needs to be more routinely infused into policy and funding priorities, which often do not include better sidewalks in transportation projects.

Walkers, bikers and the disabled alike want access, and the more that is a reality, the better distributed all users are in daily travel. Cities want to learn how to keep traffic moving without adding new lanes, and places that are realizing this are looked at for their leadership and expertise on how to increase multiple means of usage while promoting transportation options that cater to many types of people.

‘Completing the streets’ means allowing all types of transportation users the ability to share the road safely. Adding bike lanes, making sidewalks wider, and even in tact, are important pieces often left out of the car-centric design of especially older cities like Chicago. Newly emerging metropolises are focusing on getting it right the first time while Chicago, for example, recently colored some of its bike lanes to call-out the right-of-way for bikers.

Many state policies are now requiring their transportation agencies to ensure that roads are routinely designed or redesigned for all modes of travel. Chicago has a “complete street” program and the Illinois legislature has passed a bill, and awaits Governor Blagojevich’s signature. What we will find as these become land-use planning fundamentals is a whole slew of other benefits: a healthier population, better air and water quality, less congestion on the roads and therefore less impacted infrastructure.

Read more about designing ‘smart’ streets at http://www.aarp.org/bulletin/yourlife/street_smart.html. Also read more about the Safe Routes to School program in which CNT, the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation and League of Illinois Bicyclists are proving training, outreach and program development services, at http://www.dot.il.gov/saferoutes/saferouteshome.aspx.

And remember: October is International Walk to School Month!

3. Chicago’s ‘Greenest City’ Position Tested
Chicago has managed to make another ‘greenest city’ list, this most recent put out by Yahoo Real Estate. Whatever the particular motivation for each list, one thing is constant—cities are usually chosen by a combination of how they address transportation, open space, air and water quality policies and, increasingly, how these all factor into the context of a climate plan. And always with the intent on putting its residents first.

Yahoo’s newest list cites Chicago’s commitment to renewable energy, mass transit and open space as reasons the city is on par with other world-class sustainable cities. In addition, top-notch water quality is mentioned. Of course, this refers to Lake Michigan. A regional ‘gem’, the lakefront attracts tourists and residents all year round. In August, Chicago even took part in blocking BP from expanding and discharging additional ammonia into the lake.

While the Lake is showcased and protected, the quality of the Chicago River remains impaired as the county-wide outlet for treated wastewater, stormwater runoff and sewage overflows. Though in recent years, there has been recognition of the river as an asset to the city, the treated wastewater that is discharged is still not disinfected and continues to be a concern for water quality experts and residents alike.

Though the EPA had been on track to move forward with standards that for the first time would limit the amount of bacteria allowed in the river, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District commissioned a study to monitor the effects of the high bacteria levels in the River. According to a recent Chicago Tribune article, Chicago is the only large U.S. city that doesn’t disinfect its treated wastewater, and it remains to be seen if the MWRD will commit to the necessary funding to begin disinfection.

So long as Chicago continues to make any ‘greenest city’ list, advocates for better energy efficiency, mass transit and cleaner water will continue to seek solutions that remove impediments to that label. Cleaning up the Chicago River is not just good for the environment, but will give the city two water bodies that are civic amenities, a unique contention for any place that aspires to be “America’s Greenest City.”

MWRD will hold a public study session on the topic of disinfecting its effluent Wednesday October 10th at 10 am in its board room at 100 E. Erie. Members of the public can also comment at the study session.

Read the Chicago Tribune article at http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-river_14sep14,0,6145479.story?coll=chi_tab01_layout. Also read more of Yahoo’s newest “Top Ten” list at http://promo.realestate.yahoo.com/the_top_ten_greenest_cities.html.

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CNT News
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1. Bridging a Gap Between Chicago and Nairobi
On September 22, at an intimate gathering at the Al Raby School for Community and Environment, Dr. Wangari Maathai presided over the dedication of a native garden planted in her name. Students, teachers and community members listened as Dr. Maathai spoke of the essential role gardens like the Wangari Maathai Natural Garden play in promoting urban renewal, social and environmental activism and raising awareness—from the Al Raby School on Chicago’s West Side to the Green Belt Movement in Nairobi, Kenya.

At the dedication, Al Raby students spoke about their experiences planting the native garden at the entrance of their school. Back in May, with the help of CNT and other community members, the concrete was removed and students helped to install a garden that will serve as an interactive learning site not only for students but for the East Garfield Park community.

The students also reflected on the important lessons they learned from leveling and turning soil, planting seeds and laying mulch, to now maintaining and monitoring the garden—one of the most valuable being the teamwork it required. One student reflected on her initial surprise to find she would not just be observing the garden, but helping to create it from scratch. Later, Dr. Maathai responded by pointing out that to invoke progress you often must “get down on the ground” and plant a garden yourself.

Wangari Maathai was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004 for founding the Green Belt Movement, an environmental organization that planted over 30 million trees across Kenya to prevent soil erosion. On Saturday, Dr. Maathai spoke of the importance of trees and plants—not just for the carbon dioxide they trap—but for the awareness they raise.

The 1500 square foot Wangari Maathai Natural Garden, that students dedicated six hours a week to planting and that will demonstrate the importance and value of green infrastructure, is a microcosm of what can be repeated globally—from Chicago to Kenya. “It is this type of activity that should be replicated a billion times throughout the world”, concluded Dr. Maathai, before taking a stroll through a small drop in that bucket.

The Wangari Maathai Natural Garden was funded by a generous grant from the Prince Charitable Trusts. The dedication ceremony was co-sponsored by CNT, the Chicago Humanities Festival, Al Raby School, and the Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance.

Read more about Dr. Maathai’s visit in an article by the Chicago Defender at http://www.chicagodefender.com/page/local.cfm?ArticleID=9849.

2. CNT’s Work Seen from Oak Park to Walthamstow
Plans are being made to redevelop a parking lot that was profiled in CNT’s recent “Paved Over” study, as a mixed use, moderate income, LEED-certified, Transit-Oriented Development. The village of Oak Park and developer Morningside Equities Group, have plans to redevelop a 143-space parking lot to a $30 million, eight-story building that will include condominiums and 12,500 square feet of retail space at South Boulevard and Harlem Avenue. The land is a village-owned parking lot and will now include 245 public parking spaces in a new public garage attached to the project.

“Paved Over: Surface Parking Lots or Opportunities for Tax-Generating, Sustainable Development?”, published in 2006, found that acres of surface parking lots in suburban Cook County located near Metra train stations could be redeveloped to capture millions of dollars in new tax revenue, while also accommodating the growing demand for housing near transit. The report compares typical costs to support the parking lots as they are today with revenue that could be generated from the redevelopment of some portion of the lots for a mix of uses.

The redevelopment of the parking lot in Oak Park will help the Village generate greater public revenue, help meet this growing demand for housing near transit, and achieve a more sustainable region.

Read the entire “Paved Over” report at “>http://www.cnt.org/repository/PavedOver-Final.pdf.

Read about the plan in Oak Park at http://www.pioneerlocal.com/oakpark/news/562955,op-southblvd-091907-s1.article

And across the globe in another suburban development located in East London, the city council just approved a master plan that focuses on making it a more sustainable, modern town centre. Walthamstow’s plan includes long-term strategies for housing, transportation, shopping and community facilities.

As part of the Waltham Forest Council in partnership with the Prince’s Foundation for the Built Environment, CNT helped draft a master plan that focuses on the key principles of sustainability and community cohesion, by increasing the amount of housing around the town centre, and devoting 40% of that to affordable housing, as one example.

The 42-page provisional plan was endorsed at the most recent cabinet meeting, and will now go out to consultation in November.
Read more about the town’s development plans in the article in the U.K. Guardian at http://www.guardianseries.co.uk/mostpopular.var.1700770.mostviewed.walthamstow_thumbs_up_for_town_centre_masterplan.php

3. Salute to Jacky Grimshaw Sails Off Without a Hitch
On September 20, friends and supporters of CNT’s Vice President for Policy, Transportation, and Community Development, Jacky Grimshaw, gathered at the Columbia Yacht Club to honor 15 years of transportation and land use advocacy in Chicago.

In her 15 years at CNT, Jacky Grimshaw has established CNT as an innovative leader in transportation policy and advocacy, both locally and nationally. She has brought together non-traditional transit organizations—including housing, welfare, and job development groups—into the policy discussion and debate for affordable mass transit that actually serves those most in need.

The event took place at the Columbia Yacht Club, which was chosen because its ship, Abegweit, played an important transportation role for 50 years, carrying a combination of passengers and cars or one complete passenger train of 16 railway cars across the Abegweit Passage Northumberland Strait.

Saluting Jacky’s work meant reflecting on past accomplishments while also looking toward the future issues in land use and transportation that the region faces. Progress has been made, thanks in part to Jacky’s impressive work, now which has paved a way for even more challenges to be addressed. To support CNT’s work in Transportation, consider making a donation to the Transit Future Campaign at http://www.cnt.org/donate.

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Toolbox
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1. CNT in the News

Using the H+T Affordability Index, the South Suburbs of Hazel Crest, Midlothian, Oak Forest and Riverdale look very attractive as affordable and sustainable places to live, though the communities have been undervalued by consumers and developers. The analysis done by CNT shows that development in these public transit- and pedestrian-friendly areas is affordable and makes economic sense. Read more in a recent article by the Hazel Crest Star at htstar092707.pdf

I-GO is has continued its mobility upward and onward, with almost 6000 members and 160 cars. It’s no surprise, then, that I-GO remains on the cutting-edge of urban living as more people ditch their cars and use a low-emission vehicle as a supplement to walking, biking and public transit. This year, I-GO has been nominated for a Chicago Sun-Times Innovation Award. More information at .

A nostalgia for more simple times? Or a low-cost, viable transportation supplement? Maybe both, but streetcars are all the rage for transportation planners around the country. Read on as Fort Wayne, Indiana looks to streetcars to help build their transit network for residents to move around at ftwayne-daily080307.pdf

2. Spotlight: Green Maps
Maps are indispensable tools for describing and analyzing the state of today’s region; and they are ideally suited to the task of displaying what is likely to – or what should – come next for the area.

Starting in November, Chicago’s Festival of Maps will showcase “Maps in the Public Square: An Atlas of the Next Chicago Region” in an online exhibit that highlights the creative combination of mapmaking and public policy in the Chicago region.

Greenmapping.org, created by CNT and Openlands, will be part of the exhibit, running through the end of the year. The interactive map allows users to see the current relationship between development and open space or project a future vision of interlinked green spaces. With over 20 layers of data, the map is highly customizable, so you can choose an area by zip code, municipality, county, state or even watershed. Then you are able to choose what layers of data you want to see about that particular area, including floodplains, soils types, conservation easements, streets, wetlands, trails, and greenways.

The region’s groundbreaking advances in regional planning, sustainable urban development, and community decision-making has expanded our ability to think holistically about regional land use.

And the newest supplement CNT and Openlands have developed is an illustrated guide as a desk reference introduction to greenmapping.org. “Natural Connections: An Illustrated Guide to Green Infrastructure Mapping” includes 12 sample maps that highlight specific data layers and mapping features which can be used to create maps to illustrate particular policy objectives. Each printed map illustrates a different policy topic and is accompanied by a narrative description.

You can request a copy of Natural Connections by emailing kathrine@cnt.org. To find out more information about the Festival of Maps, go to CNT’s calendar at http://www.cnt.org/calendar#maps.

3. Staff Changes

CNT is growing and filling up with excellent new talent:

Kathrine Nichols is the new Development & Communications Assistant
Deborah Ackles I-GO’s new Marketing and Communications Manager
Peter Ludwig is the new Outreach & Research Associate for CNT Energy
Pete Rangle and Jim McDermottis are I-GO’s newest Fleet Assistants
David Delgado is CNT’s part time IT Support Specialist

And we were sad to say good-bye to some great talent:

Ben Helphand was CNT’s ‘multi-talent’ for nearly 6 years, managing the pedestrian program, directing Civic Footprint and past successes like LEGinfo. Ben has moved onward as Executive Director of Chicago’s NeighborSpace.
David LeBreton worked on CNT’s Transit Future Campaign, making excellent progress in the continued fight for better transit, using his experience as a veteran of several electoral campaigns.
Golden Butler was CNT’s IT Specialist and has moved on to new adventures in Dallas, TX.
Andres Borrero was I-GO’s Fleet Manager and has moved on back to his home country of Colombia.
Lucy Prieto was at CNT Energy for 6.5 years, helping to launch the Community Energy Cooperative and serving as a Customer Support Specialist.

We wish all the best!

4. Jobs

IT Support Specialist, CNT
http://www.cnt.org/jobs?job=it-support-specialist

Chief Financial Officer, CNT
http://www.cnt.org/jobs?job=chief-financial-officer&nofoot=1

Sr. Communications Specialist, Biodiversity Project
http://www.biodiversityproject.org/About%20Us/jobpostingSCS.htm

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Support “Your Neighborhood Green Think Tank”
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1. Sign Up for A Fresh Squeeze Newsletter
For a limited time, A Fresh Squeeze will donate a dollar to CNT for everyone who signs up for their free, twice-weekly e-newsletter that offers simple tips on green living.

If you’ve never read A Fresh Squeeze, sign up today to learn more about making it easier to live a greener life. The website launched in the spring of 2006 in response to the often impractical or incomprehensible or even just lack of useful information on green living.

Emails are sent twice a week, offering simple advice on things you can do to make your life a little greener. Read “The Truth of Bioplastics”, “The Recycling Afterlife”, get some simple tips, and join in on the discussion of these topics—all relative to life in Chicago. And best of all, subscribing is free.

Support CNT while you learn a little more about going green. Sign up at http://afreshsqueeze.com/index.php?site=2IFAI2OZ.

2. Go See Human Rhythm Project’s: Global Rhythms
This year, CNT is part of the Chicago Human Rhythm Project’s Thanks-4-Giving 2007 campaign. From November 23-25, the Chicago Human Rhythm Project will present Global Rhythms 3, featuring the North American premiere of TAO in a spectacle of rhythm, movement and music. TAO’s athletic cast of Wadaiko drummers and dancers propels an ancient art form into a new universe of moving sound and will transport you and your entire family to the lush hills of Kyushu. Don’t miss Japan’s resounding response to Riverdance!

When ordering tickets, just say “CHRP-CNT” to donate 50% of your ticket price to the CNT. When you do, you’ll also receive 10% off the ticket price. If ordering online (www.harristheaterchicago.org), simply enter this code into the appropriate promotional code box. More information on Global Rhythms 3 is at www.chicagotap.org.

3. Donate through Earth Share of Illinois
Did you know that CNT is part of a network of organizations committed to environmental sustainability that you can support through your workplace giving? Earth Share of Illinois promotes charitable giving in government and corporate employee payroll deduction workplace giving campaigns.

To find out if your workplace is a part of the Earthshare of Illinois network, check the list at http://www.earthshare-illinois.org/campaigns.html. CNT’s Combined Federal Campaign number is 28111. If you’re place of work is not part of the workplace giving, you can also make an online donation via Network for Good.

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You can also support our efforts in building more sustainable urban communities by making a donation online by clicking the button below.

Questions about anything you’ve read or interested in learning more? Contact Annette at annette@cnt.org.

Transit Future Update, 9/5

Transit Future Update, September 5

Legislative News

Last night the Illinois House failed to pass SB 572, a comprehensive transit funding and reform bill. The bill would have restructured the governance system for transit in Northeastern Illinois as well as guaranteed a long-term source of funding for transit. The bill would have prevented CTA and Pace’s “doomsday” scenarios from coming into effect on September 16.

Speaker of the House Michael Madigan has said that he will continue to try to pass the bill, calling a special session when enough votes can be found. Opposition to the bill comes mostly from suburban Republicans, who want to link any discussion of transit to a capital bill. Madigan and other supporters of the bill reject this approach because the need for transit operating funds is urgent, and the doomsday scenarios would likely go into effect before legislators could come up with a capital bill.

CTA Response

In response to yesterday’s vote, CTA president Ron Huberman issued the following statement:

“Today’s vote is a disappointment. The CTA has worked hard to build a coalition of bi-partisan support along with CTA union support. Without the much needed state funding, the CTA will be forced to move ahead with the proposed fare increases and service cuts in less than two weeks. This is not the result we wanted for our 1.6 million daily CTA riders. We intend to keep working with the legislature to win the necessary support to pass legislation by the 16th.”

Community Response

Community leaders spoke out quickly in support of the bill. Jacky Grimshaw, vice-president for policy of the Center for Neighborhood Technology, asked residents of the Chicago region to pressure their representatives to pass the bill:

“All of us who care about getting around the region must contact our legislators and the governor to stress the urgency of creating a sustainable transit system for our region. As transit riders, drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians, we all have a stake in a viable transit system. We cannot accept a do- nothing response from the people we elect to office to solve our problems.”

She also called on lawmakers to consider the long-term effects on the region:

“We need a public investment of transit for the social, economic and environmental future of the region. If we want to be a sustainable and livable region, we must invest in transit. We need long-term solutions not band-aids. We have to invest in our transit infrastructure to efficiently move citizens from the homes to their workplaces. Without a viable transit system, we will be clogging up the roads, increase air pollution and the cost of living in our region.”

We urge you to contact your legislator and express your disappointment in yet again failing to properly fund our mass transit system. Find your legislator at www.civicfootprint.org. Also read more in a press release CNT sent out today.

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The Center for Neighborhood Technology has launched the Transit Future campaign in response to the Chicago region’s transit crisis.

If you would like to support the Transit Future Campaign, please make a secure contribution by clicking on the button below.

Transit Future Update

Transit Future Update, August 14

Springfield Update
August 1st marked the end of the State of Illinois’ one-month budget and the beginning of intense negotiations to pass a one-year budget for fiscal year 2008. However, as the debate over how to keep the state functioning dragged on, legislation reforming the RTA and increasing its funding (SB 572) lost momentum. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Julie Hamos, reported that House Minority Leader Tom Cross had instructed members of his party to withhold their support in an effort to secure a capital bill. But there is hope for SB 572, whose text has now been completed. The full text of the bill can be found here and a summary of the bill can be found here.

Currently there is uncertainty over what form the state’s budget will take, but increased transit funding and reform of the RTA were not part of the budget passed last week by the General Assembly. However, legislative leaders have indicated that they will be calling legislators back to Springfield to address both the transit crisis and the state’s capital needs.

If a solution to the transit crisis must be passed in conjunction with the state’s first capital bill since 2003, then it must be done before September. New capital funds are vital to the health of CTA, Metra and Pace, but operating funds are needed before September to avert fare increases and service cuts.

What’s in Store for CTA and Pace?
In the past two weeks, both Pace and CTA have approved contingency plans that include fare increases and service reductions to be implemented in September unless the General Assembly and Governor are able to provide increased operating funds. CTA estimates its contingency plan will result in 100,000 fewer rides per weekday, while Pace estimates its plan will result in 5 million fewer rides per year.

Timeline of service cuts and fare increases:

September 1 – Pace local route and Metra Feeder fares will increase to $1.50. ADA Paratransit fares increase to $3.00. Taxi Access Program (TAP) fares increase to $5.50. Pace Vanpool fares increase by 10%.

September 16 – CTA fares will increase to $2.50 and $3.00 on trains during peak hours. Chicago Card fares increase to $2.00. 39 CTA bus routes will be eliminated.

September 29 – Pace will begin to eliminate fixed route and Metra Feeder buses that do not meet minimum performance standards.

October 1 – Pace ADA Paratransit service will be restricted to ¾ mile of regular fixed route service. Pace will no longer accept CTA passes.

December 3 – Pace will eliminate all Metra Feeder buses.

January 1 - Pace local route and Metra Feeder fares will increase to $2.00. ADA Paratransit fares increase to $4.00. Taxi Access Program (TAP) fares increase to $6.50.

January 5 – All Pace weekend service will be eliminated.

What’s Next?
The end of this record-breaking session has proven exceptionally difficult to predict. Mass transit riders and advocates must continue to pressure the Governor and their legislators to pass legislation that ends the vicious cycle of doomsday scenarios and under funded transit agencies.

In the event that the Governor signs the budget passed by the General Assembly and legislators go into recess, they must be reminded that their work is not done! Solving Northeastern Illinois’ transit crisis must remain a priority, and it is up to constituents to make sure they do not forget. Call your legislators’ district offices while they are back from Springfield and ask them when they will be returning to Springfield to reform and fund the RTA. Also, remind them that if a capital bill is passed it must include funds to improve Northeastern Illinois’ transit infrastructure.

Transit in the News
Friday, August 10th the Daily Herald published an editorial urging the Governor and General Assembly to reform and fund the RTA. In it, the editors referenced CNT research showing how much money is saved by households with access to frequent and reliable mass transit.

Boost Funding to Stabilize Mass Transit - The Daily Herald, August 10 ,2007:

“The General Assembly inched forward Thursday as the House approved its latest version of Illinois’ months-overdue budget. Increased funding for the Regional Transportation Authority was not among the needs covered by the spending plan that faces an uncertain fate once it reaches Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s desk. The Senate was considering the budget when this went to press.

Legislators and the governor should support legislation that would raise the RTA sales tax by 0.25 percentage point throughout the region, and an additional 0.25 percentage point in the collar counties (that money to be controlled by the collar county boards for local transit and road projects), establish a real estate transfer tax in Chicago, and restructure the RTA to strengthen its oversight of Metra, Pace and the Chicago Transit Authority. At the same time, no tax increase can be approved without strict accountability measures also provided by the pending RTA bill. Fare increases must also be part of the mix.

Stable transit systems help boost regional economic development and tourism, reduce traffic congestion and pollution (of both the smog and greenhouse gas varieties), and provide ways for the less fortunate among us to get to work. And as we’ve noted before, a healthy RTA will be an absolute necessity, should Chicago land the 2016 Summer Olympics.

Here’s another sobering reason why suburban residents and legislators should support transit funding: A recent report suggests that families with access to strong transit systems spend less of their annual budgets on transportation costs than the average American family. And a great deal less than families in far-flung suburbs who must rely on cars, minivans or SUVs to get anywhere.

Citing Bureau of Labor statistics from 2004, Reconnecting America — a nonprofit organization that promotes revitalizing and expanding transit systems — found that while the average American family spends 19 percent of its income on transportation, families in the auto-dependent exburbs spend 25 percent on transportation. Families living in areas with good access to public transit spend just 9 percent.

The economics of those numbers will only get colder as gasoline prices continue their steady, inevitable rise.
State Reps. Julie Hamos, an Evanston Democrat, and Sidney Mathias, a Buffalo Grove Republican — the chair and ranking minority member, respectively, of the House Mass Transit Committee — say the RTA-related legislation will probably be tied to a capital spending plan, with or without a Chicago-based casino, and dealt with sometime before the end of August.

We certainly hope so, because the time to act is now — before Metra, Pace and CTA are forced to slash service and drastically hike fares, thus risking a deadly spiral of lost ridership forcing more cuts/hikes, driving more riders away.

By the way, Pace’s bloodletting would begin Sept. 1, the CTA’s on Sept. 16. Metra’s would hit commuters next year.

How foolish, too, the notion that we might have to pay much more in the near future just to restore the transit system to what it is today.

Hamos is hopeful a deal will yet get done. “I don’t know that anybody down here, including the governor, wants the responsibility of facing a shutdown” that service cuts and fare hikes could bring, she said Thursday.

For all our sakes, we hope she’s right.”

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The Center for Neighborhood Technology has launched the Transit Future campaign in response to the Chicago region’s transit crisis.

If you would like to support the Transit Future Campaign, please make a secure contribution by clicking on the button below.

July 2007 Update

Sustainability News
‘Healthy Streets’ are Safe and Walkable
Factoring Urban Sprawl into Climate Change Initiatives
Indiana Permits Regressive Water Quality Protections to Lake Michigan

CNT News
Transit Future Goes to Springfield
Ft. Wayne Looks at Leading the Sustainable Cities Movement
In Chicago, Bike to Work Week Can be Every Week
Staff Hellos and Goodbyes

CNT Tools
CNT in the News
Web Site Spotlight: Natural Resources
Job Openings

Save the Dates
A Salute to Jacky Grimshaw
Wangari Mathaai Garden Dedication

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Sustainability News
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‘Healthy Streets’ are Safe and Walkable
Warm, summer months mean more children playing outside, often in the street where drivers may not be alert or prepared to avoid an accident. Increased traffic crashes in Chicago neighborhoods have been an indicator of the increased risk in the summertime. Speeding and reckless driving make neighborhoods unsafe and unpleasant places to live and raise a family.

The Healthy Streets Campaign, with Aldermen Ariel E. Reboyras and Thomas Allen, has recently launched the Northwest Chicago Drive with Care program, with funding from the Illinois Department of Transportation. The goal is to reduce crashes by fifty percent in two years in a zone bordered by Austin, Montrose, Kedzie, and Fullerton. Approximately 25 crashes occur in this area per day. This costs the community $167 million annually in injuries, fatalities, and property damage.

To reduce the number of crashes, the Healthy Streets Campaign is working with law enforcement and neighborhood groups on street design, enforcement, and social marketing.

Promoting healthy streets also means creating walkable neighborhoods for children to use during the school year. The Northeastern Illinois Safe Routes to School Task Force created the Safe Routes to School program to focus on making walking and bicycling to school a safe and valued activity. CNT along with the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation and the League of Illinois Bicyclists, are under contract through 2009 to provide training, outreach and program development services for IDOT. The team will also assist in developing the state’s School Travel Plan template and application.

To learn more about the program or to volunteer, visit on the web at www.healthystreets.org. You can also help reduce car crashes by taking the Driver’s Pledge online at www.driverspledge.com.

Read more about the Safe Routes to School program at http://weblog.cnt.org/2007/03/22/safe-routes-to-school-for-all/

Factoring Urban Sprawl into Climate Change Initiatives
Some recent big-picture ideas at mitigating global warming are challenging archaic notions of planning and development, specifically the notion of managing growth by developing outward. Promoting CFL lighbulbs and green roofs are supplementary to the need for cities to look at the major sources of greenhouse gas and put into place methods that encourage large-scale solutions.

The transportation industry is one of these major sources. Cities like New York and Seattle are already at work creating initiatives such as congestion taxes and lower insurance rates for drivers who take public transit during peak congestion times.

Most recently, California is filing suit to hold cities and counties accountable for greenhouse gas emissions caused by poorly planned suburban sprawl. What is progressive about this is that it directly challenges the planning decisions cities make. Instilling regard for climate change impact in plans means that the building and development industries are accountable for GHG emissions that same way that the transportation sector is being made accountable.

California Attorney General Jerry Brown has sued San Bernardino County, the USA’s largest in land area and one of the fastest growing, for failing to account for greenhouse gases when updating its 25-year blueprint for growth. If the suit is successful, California cities and counties could be forced to take steps to limit sprawl, promote compact development, require builders to design energy-efficient houses that offer solar power, and encourage less driving, more mass transit and use of alternative fuels.

Read more about it in a recent USA Today article at http://www.usatoday.com/weather/climate/globalwarming/2007-06-05-warming_N.htm?POE=click-refer

Indiana Permits Regressive Water Quality Protections to Lake Michigan
Recently when Indiana allowed its BP oil refinery located in Whiting to bypass state environmental laws in its plant expansion, Great Lakes clean water advocates got together to fight this regressive plan. Signatures were collected on “Save Our Lake” petitions that ask Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels to reconsider the decision.

The refinery—already one of the largest polluters along the Great Lakes—will be permitted to release 54 percent more ammonia and 35 percent more sludge into Lake Michigan each day. An exemption in the permit also allows the plant to continue pouring small amounts of mercury, a toxic metal, into Lake Michigan for at least another five years.

Thought the wastewater permit for BP’s Whiting refinery fully complies with the federal Clean Water Act and assures the full protection of Lake Michigan, BP’s new permit marks the first time in years that a company has been allowed to increase the amount of pollution pumped into the lake. And a growing chorus of critics, including Mayor Richard Daley, Gov. Rod Blagojevich and members of Congress, argue that BP’s new state permit sets a bad precedent that threatens to reverse more than three decades of slow but steady progress cleaning up the lake.

It’s not solely about water quality. The issue underscores the larger issue that is American dependence on oil. Multi-billion dollar oil refinery expansions mean that investment in clean fuel technologies lose out. Couple that with increased water pollution discharges and the environment loses doubly.

Fill out a petition to voice your disappointment with these plans at https://www.environmentillinois.org/action/protect-lake-michigan/bp-epapetition

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CNT NEWS
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Transit Future Goes to Springfield
CNT and other transit advocates have pointed out the importance of a sound public transit system in mitigating climate change. CNT has shown that the cuts in service resulting from the so-called “doomsday scenarios” will lead to increased household transportation costs throughout Northeastern Illinois. But the fact still remains—the Chicago region is at a crossroads for the future. If the region is going to remain a world-class city, it needs high-quality mass transit.

Unfortunately, with a record-breaking stalemate currently in Springfield, solutions and leadership are not what we can look forward to. Unfortunately, real mass transit solutions are not even close to the focus of Illinois’ lawmakers right now.

Read more about the Transit Future Campaign’s trip to Springfield last Wednesday to lobby lawmakers for mass transit funding, at http://transitfuture.cnt.org/

Ft. Wayne Looks at Leading the Sustainable Cities Movement
Recently Grist magazine released its “Top 15 Greenest City” poll, choosing cities, “for making impressive strides toward eco-friendliness, helping their many millions of residents live better, greener lives.”

Although the up-and-coming city, Ft. Wayne, Indiana, did not make the list, current development is all about doing it right the first time. Developing sustainably means capitalizing on the existing resources inherent in a built environment, while making conscious decisions about the future infrastructure and how it taps into energy efficiency, mass transit accessibility and less consumption, for example.

CNT recently partnered with Ft. Wayne to develop a series of recommendations for comprehensive urban sustainability that the City should incorporate into its plans.

CNT uses it cross-sectoral expertise to address issues of transportation and land use, economic development, and energy efficiency to recommend specific actions for sustainable prosperity for Fort Wayne. The recommendations combine CNT’s knowledge of leading national and international trends in urban sustainability with quantitative and qualitative research specific to Fort Wayne. Highlights include a streetcar system to increase transportation choice, and how to capitalize on Fort Wayne’s fiber optic broadband network for economic development and energy efficiency.

In Chicago, Bike to Work Week Can be Every Week
Biking as a viable means of transportation in the Chicago area is more and more real. From the Mayor’s ambitious plan to create 500 miles of bike lanes to the talk of opening the boulevards for Sunday bikers, Chicago is becoming a top biker-friendly city.

There are so many reasons to bike in Chicago—and any city really. Concerns about global warming, unreliable public transportation options, and increased costs of owning and operating a car are universal issues for urban dwellers. The city of Chicago has been a great answer to those matters thus far by providing more bike lanes, racks and possible open boulevards for riders.

Another important element to promoting bike riding is the encouragement and education of riding one’s bike in a sometimes intimidating environment. During the Chicago Bicycle Federation’s annual Bike to Work Week, efforts are made at making commuters comfortable riding in an urban environment. And the Commuter Challenge during the week taps the competitiveness of organizations willing to encourage their employees to commute to work.

More organizations are realizing their role—by promoting bike commuting and providing infrastructure like bike racks and showers—to make the decision more reasonable for commuters.

CNT participated in the yearly CBF Commuter Challenge and for the fourth year in a row took first place in the category of ‘Business/Non-profit, 25-99 employees”. Integral to the buildings LEED-Platinum certification, there is access to bike racks for almost half of the staff as well as a shower facility. Having integrated bike commuting into the work environment means that staff regularly get to work by bike all year round.

Providing the means to bike in an urban environment is not just the responsibility of the City and other advocate agencies but also for workplaces to provide the ability to park one’s bike at the destined location or to have access to a place to ‘freshen-up’ post-ride.

Staff Hellos and Goodbyes

Amanda Escobar-Gramigna is the new Research and Outreach Associate for CNT Energy, assisting in the marketing, communication, operations, and research functions, including community outreach on energy issues. She’s providing valuable support for CNT Energy’s real-time electricity pricing program, Power Smart Pricing.

Metcalf Scholar Emily Carroll is an Environmental Studies major from U of Chicago, and will be working with CNT on a number of research and outreach projects.

Sofia Becker is has been working on CNT’s Transit Future Campaign, working on media and outreach.

David Schaengold is at CNT on a one-year fellowship through the Project 55 program, through the University of Chicago. David will be working on a variety of CNT’s transportation projects.

As part of Mayor Daley’s Kidstart summer work program, CNT hosted two of Lakeview High School students, Kierra Burrows and Alfredo Harris. During the 8-week program, the interns helped out in CNT Energy and the Development department.

Ruth Klotz-Chamberlain was a Fellow at the Community Energy Cooperative for the past two years, where she worked on many energy endeavors, including the Energy Smart Pricing Plan.

Emily Metz has been at CNT for a year, under the Project 55 fellowship program through the University of Chicago. Emily worked on various projects at CNT, including CTAQC, Transit Future and CNT’s Climate program.

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Tools
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CNT in the News

Introducing CNT Energy! As the energy landscape changes, the Cooperative and CNT are developing new ways to serve communities and to promote energy efficiency. This summer, the energy programs at CNT have been consolidated under a new name, CNT Energy. CNT Energy will help communities achieve sustainable, affordable energy solutions. Read more about the exciting new developments at http://www.cntenergy.org/news/?p=51

Its summer and high gas prices, concerns about global warming and all the other hassles of owning a car have resulted in more people giving up their cars and turning to I-GO for their car-centric errands. I-GO has made conscious strides to be accessible in as many neighborhoods in the Chicago area as possible. Cars are located currently in 32 neighborhoods (including Oak Park and Evanston). Read about how I-GO is helping the neighborhood of Austin go green at http://austinweeklynews.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=1330&SectionID=1&SubSectionID=&S=1

CNT has been working with the Presidential Climate Action Project, as part of a national initiative to develop a bold and decisive climate action plan for the next President of the United States. The report will give recommendations for an aggressive climate change agenda that the next President should take up in the first 100 days of office. Read more about the project at http://www.omniartsalon.com/oas-80-gary-hart-the-presidential-climate-action-project/

Web Site Spotlight: Natural Resources
The new Natural Resources page is a one-stop shop to learn about CNT’s work in promoting and demonstrating the value of Green Infrastructure (GI). Read about the recent meeting with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD), including recommendations for implementing green infrastructure into stormwater best management practices, use an interactive tool like the Green Values calculator, download a fact sheet that shows how other cities like Portland and Washington, D.C. are utilizing GI, read about the demonstration project, the Wangari Maathai natural garden at the Al Raby School for the Environment, or download a copy of “Water: From Trouble to Treasure” and start your own GI project. The new site is at: http://www.cnt.org/natural-resources/

Job Openings

Energy Performance Analyst
http://www.cnt.org/jobs?job=energy-performance-analyst

Chief Financial Officer
http://www.cnt.org/jobs?job=chief-financial-officer&nofoot=1

PIRG Public Transit Advocate
transportation-advocate-job-description-7-07.doc

STPP Executive Director
http://www.cnt.org/jobs?job=stpp-executive-director

Save the Dates

A Salute to Jacky Grimshaw
Over the last 15 years CNT, under the leadership of Jacky Grimshaw, has helped drive transportation participation and policy. Jacky’s wit and intelligence, as well as her outspoken advocacy for affordable and reliable mass transit has recently given birth to the Transit Future Campaign to promote a system that benefits all residents of Northeastern Illinois.

Come join CNT and Jacky’s friends to celebrate past accomplishments as well as support for future transportation endeavors, including the Transit Future Campaign.

The event is September 20 at the Columbia Yacht Club. Tickets are $250 and can be purchased by contacting annette@cnt.org. More details to follow.

Wangari Maathai Garden Dedication
Back in May, CNT along with the Al Raby school community, from teachers and students to local neighbors, helped create a garden that will improve the school’s appearance while simultaneously increasing its capacity to accomplish its educational mission.

The front yard of the Al Raby School consisted of cracked and degraded cement paving. CNT helped the school transform its front landscape with the installation of a native woodland garden, named after the 2004 Nobel laureate Wangari Maathai. The garden will help to beautify the main entrance of the school, and help connect the students to a living ecology by providing a hands-on experience in landscape design, creation, and maintenance.

On September 22, a dedication will be held at the Al Raby School for the Environment while Wangari Maathai visits Chicago. The dedication will be followed by a book signing and reception.

To read more about the Wangari Maathai garden, download a fact sheet at http://www.cnt.org/repository/factsheet-AlRaby.pdf

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You can support our efforts in building more sustainable urban communities by making a donation online by clicking the button below.

You can also support CNT as part of Earth Share of Illinois workplace campaigns. For more information about workplace giving, contact Nicole at nicoleg@cnt.org. Thank you for your generosity!

Questions about anything you’ve read or interested in learning more? Contact Annette at annette@cnt.org

CNT Update, June 2007

Sustainability News
Gas Prices Don’t Have to Bring You Down
More than Ever, RTA’s Viability Crucial
Rain Barrels Roll into Chicago

CNT News
CNT and Clinton Foundation Partner on Greenhouse Gas Measurements for Cities
Al Raby Goes Green
Leaders Unite to Preserve the Chicago Region’s Affordable Rental Housing
Staff Hellos and Goodbyes

CNT Tools
CNT In the News
Event Spotlight: “Invest as Mother Nature Intended” Workshop
Job Openings

Local Events
Chicago Green Drinks
CTA Board Hearings

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Sustainability News
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Gas Prices Don’t Have to Bring You Down
The summer tradition of record-breaking, inflated gas prices is again consuming the media and public. What about that summer road trip? Will individuals trade their SUV’s for smaller, more efficient compact cars? But an increasing amount of people have figured out how to avoid the seemingly inevitable problem altogether. It’s simple. Ride your bike to work. Use an I-GO car for that trip to the grocery store. Walk your dog to the park. Take the train to your friends out in the suburbs.

All these options reduce your dependency on oil, and can help you stay fit and healthy. Avid bicyclists and transit users have figured out these benefits long ago, but as gas prices are squeezing out more and more individuals who cannot afford the escalating prices, they are turning to options they may have not considered otherwise.

Which is great news for the environment and the individual health. The Minneapolis Star-Tribune recently ran an article about this phenomenon. As car dealers and users fret over high gas prices, transit agencies and bike shops revel in the increased dependence to their industry.

Moving toward sustainable methods of mobility like biking and walking help ensure one doesn’t have to decide between paying for food and paying for gas.

More than Ever, RTA’s Viability Crucial
If the previous post is any indication, the sustainability of public transportation is now more important than ever. But instead of service expansion and maintenance increasing to accommodate a larger demand of users as a result of the high prices of owning and operating a car, the lack of funding ensures that potential new customers will not become loyal users on account of unreliable service and poor infrastructure.

As the Illinois General Assembly regular session just came to a close, with it came progress but no relief for the RTA or any the three service boards. SB 572 (incorporating HB 1841) was passed by the House Mass Transit Committee, but has not yet been called for a vote before the full House.

Senate Bill 572 seeks to address the funding shortfall for operations at all three Service Boards – CTA, Metra and Pace – and to provide additional support for transportation needs in the collar counties. For more information, see Julie Hamos’ website, Chairwoman of the House Mass Transit Committee.

We must continue to communicate with our state legislators and the Governor to tell them that they can not adjourn this legislative session without reforming and funding the RTA. Please continue to contact your legislator to let them know that transit must be a priority this year! For talking points, a map of your area, and the average transportation cost in your legislative district, please refer to the Transit Future website: www.transitfuture.org.

Also, read a great article by the Chicago Tribune’s John McCarron about the most recent, and un-groundbreaking, Illinois General Assembly session.

Rain Barrels Roll into Chicago
As part of Chicago’s increasing commitment to manage its stormwater responsibly, it has rolled out its summer rain barrel program again this summer. The region may be home to one of the largest freshwater sources in the world, but that is even more reason to conserve it and manage it wisely. Chicago alone uses over 580 million gallons of freshwater a day, and things like watering plants and other outdoor uses take up large amounts of water.

Rain barrels redirect water from rooftops through disconnected downspouts–whereas connected downspouts channel stormwater directly to the sewer system, picking up sediment and pollutants along the way, essentially ending up in the Chicago River. Rain barrels help conserve water and keep polluted water out our waterways.

The city’s rain barrel program is an important tool of the recently adopted stormwater management ordinance, which seeks to use Green Infrastructure as best practices for managing stormwater in a productive and sustainable way. CNT and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District recently held a meeting to discuss implementing more green solutions. For more information on CNT’s Green Infrastructure projects, see http://greenvalues.cnt.org/

For more information on how to get your own rain barrel, see here.

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CNT News
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CNT and Clinton Foundation Partner on Greenhouse Gas Measurements for Cities
U.S. cities are becoming serious about mitigating global warming and now have a major foundation, a top global technology corporation, an international association of governments, and CNT working to help them measure their impacts. The Clinton Foundation and Microsoft recently announced its partnership with CNT and ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability to develop a set of products designed to help cities track and reduce their carbon emissions.

The groups will develop a single Web solution to allow cities to clearly understand their environmental footprint. With this information, cities can make better choices as they aim to improve their energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. The new online, Web-based software tools will be provided pro bono to cities, and will enable cities to work together to monitor their progress and share best practices.

From May 14 – May 17, leaders of municipal governments and international businesses from over thirty of the world largest cities convened in New York City for the second C40 Large Cities Climate Summit. Former President Bill Clinton officially announced the plans and CNT’s Climate Change Program Manager, Jen McGraw, was in attendance.

For more information, you can read the press release here.

Al Raby Goes Green
May has been a transformative month for the Al Raby High School for Community and Environment. A project to replace the unsightly concrete at the main entrance of the school with a beautiful native Illinois woodland garden blossomed into fruition with the garden installation.

Beginning in November 2006, CNT’s Natural Resources staff worked with the members of the school community, including AP Environmental Studies students, to develop a comprehensive design plan for the garden. The final design was chosen from a group of three designs at a community meeting.

Through generous donations from R&R Mulch and Soil and Christy Webber Landscapes, the school was able to use the garden project to create new open space and replace gray with green using fresh soil, as opposed to planting beds on top of the existing concrete. The large amount of work required to plant two 750 square foot garden areas in two days and would have overwhelmed the capacity of the school community. So with the combined efforts of the school, CNT, and the City of Chicago’s Department of Environment Greencorps job-training program, the garden installation was accomplished on May 23rd and 24th.

Together, the group planted five trees and 250 native Illinois plants. The installation also included recycling some of the broken pieces of concrete to create a stepping stone pathway that now winds through both sides of the garden. The final product is a beautiful native shade, or woodland, garden that has dramatically enhanced the aesthetic of the school.

The garden will be maintained by Al Raby students over the summer as part of the Clean and Green program. The school staff is continuing to work with advisors to devise an educational strategy for using the garden as a tool in their curriculum next year, and in the years following.

This project is funded with a grant from the Prince Charitable Trusts. For a fact sheet on the project, see here.

Leaders Unite to Preserve the Chicago Region’s Affordable Rental Housing
Affordable housing, especially in the Chicago region, is increasingly difficult to acquire and is a threat to the economic future of the region. Recently, area leaders in government, non-profit and the business sectors unveiled the Preservation Compact to reverse these dramatic losses in the affordable rental housing stock. Created in 2005, The Preservation Compact is a project of the Urban Land Institute and is supported by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation

The project is the nation’s most comprehensive approach to a problem that challenges communities everywhere—turning around the significant loss of rental housing that is affordable to moderate and low wage workers. A series of initiatives to save at least 75,000 existing homes in Cook County by the year 2020 is planned.

At the center of the program is a new Preservation Fund, an umbrella for a suite of financial products. The fund will provide acquisition and bridge financing to nonprofit and for-profit developers, making it possible for them to obtain as much as a half a million dollars to support the long-term preservation of rental housing in Cook County.

Equally important are a series of partnerships between local organizations, each charged with responsibility for solving a different aspect of the affordable rental housing problem. CNT is partnering with other organizations to work in the area of reducing operating costs in multifamily rental properties. The organizations have created Cook County Energy Savers, a one-stop energy efficiency program that will provide technical assistance and loans for energy-efficiency improvements.

More information on the Cook County Energy Savers program and CNT’s participation here. You can also read more about the strategy to preserve affordable housing in Cook County at the Urban Land Institute’s site here.

Staff Hellos and Goodbyes
Joe Grant, who started with CNT as an intern, is now on staff, splitting his time on new ventures and I-GO.

Lauren Hugel is I-GO’s newest staff member, assisting in the day-to-day operations.

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Jill Siegel did a great job organizing and managing CNT’s Grants and Publications and has moved to continue her consulting business. Annette Stahelin, CNT’s Development and Communications Assistant has been promoted to Development and Communications Associate.

Suzanne Carlson was at CNT and I-GO working on various projects, most recently on I-GO’s Emissions report and helping manage CNT’s various Climate projects. She has moved on to become the Environmental Program Manager at Chicago Public Schools, a new position for CPS.

Melissa Haeffner also had her hands in many different pots while at CNT, from Transportation and CTAQC projects to most recently as I-GO’s Sales and Marketing Associate, where she created I-GO’s first concert, the very successful Audio Emissions event.

Good luck in all that you do!

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Tools
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CNT in the News

CNT held it’s first-ever Tools Fair in May. And due to the great turnout and positive feedback, it will become an annual event. The Fair was a chance to come see CNT’s LEED-certified Platinum building, and learn more about the various tools that CNT developed over the years to make communities more livable and sustainable. Two tools in particular, the Housing + Transportation Affordability Index and Green Values Calculator, were showcased in workshops conducted throughout the event. Read the article the Chicago Journal ran prior to the event, and look for more Open Houses in the future.

Another successful event CNT held over the month of May was the I-GO Audio Emissions CD release party. The CD profiles local Chicago acts and will be available to listen to in every I-GO car. The concert featured some of the talented groups on the CD, along with delicious food by local restaurants and best of all, was carbon-neutral! With fun concerts at the Metro (and high gas prices), it’s no wonder car-sharing is exploding. Read a recent article from the Wicker Park Booster here.

The Housing + Transportation Affordability Index was featured at the recent Tools Fair, where participants were able to attend a workshop that explained the tool and its applicability in making the choice between location and transportation expenses more apparent. Soon the tool will be available on the CNT website for users to calculate their own costs. Read a recent profile by the Wicker Park Booster here.

CNT’s Scott Bernstein recently wrote an Op-Ed piece urging Illinois’ legislators to act on the immediate need to fund RTA. While is session, neither the Governor nor the legislative leadership has made funding a priority and without action, all Northeastern Illinois commuters (as well as non-commuters) will suffer. The piece was published in the Chicago Suntimes, the Daily Southtown and Crain’s Chicago Business. Read the Suntimes version here.

Event Spotlight: “Invest as Mother Nature Intended” workshop
Balance your need to invest in today’s world with your vision of a more sustainable tomorrow. Come to learn about the virtues & pitfalls of eco-friendly & social investments in this one hour workshop.

Financial Advisor, Paul Shuman, CPA, of Preferred Planning Concepts, will lead this free workshop, co-sponsored by CNT and I-GO. Come see CNT’s LEED-certified Platinum building while learning how to make your own socially-responsible investments.

The workshop is on Tuesday, June 12 at 6:30 at CNT’s office, 2125 W. North Ave., Chicago. For more information, contact annette@cnt.org

Job Openings

I-GO Marketing and Communications Manager

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Local Events
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Chicago Green Drinks: Putting our Best Watt Forward: The Great Renewables Debate

Come at 5:30-9:00pm for networking and a moderated discussion from 7:00-8:00pm. Location: Jefferson Tap & Grille, 325 N. Jefferson. The cost is $5 ($2 student/low income, or support Green Drinks with a “Friend of Foresight” donation of $20+).

Contact for more information: greendrinks@foresightdesign.org, (773) 271-1990. Panelists: TBA

CTA Board Hearings
During the month of June, there are a series of CTA Board hearings scheduled around Chicago, as well as an RTA Board hearing at the end of the month on proposals to reduce service and/or raise fares to bus routes and rail lines. CTA riders and the general public will have the opportunity to provide comments on the proposed plan at upcoming public hearings. Now is the time to be heard.

See the Transit Future calendar for dates and locations. http://transitfuture.cnt.org/calendar/

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You can support our efforts in building more sustainable urban communities by making a donation online by clicking the button below.

You can also support CNT as part of Earth Share of Illinois workplace campaigns. For more information about workplace giving, contact Nicole at nicoleg@cnt.org. Thank you for your generosity!

Questions about anything you’ve read or interested in learning more? Contact Annette at annette@cnt.org

Transit Future Update, May 1

Transit Future is announcing three upcoming events, where your participation is critical to ensuring a successful outcome of the looming transit crisis. Read on to get details about each of our events, and also to hear about transit updates in Springfield and the news. Please plan on joining us for at least one of the three events. The more support you show by attending, the stronger our message to the General Assembly and Governor will be!

Contents
Get Involved! Important Upcoming Events
Recap of House Mass Transit Workgroup on RTA Reform Meeting 4/25
Recent Articles on Transit

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GET INVOLVED! Important Upcoming Events

Rally in Support of Transit
Monday, May 7, 10 a.m.
State of Illinois Building (Thompson Center), 100 W. Randolph (Randolph and Clark)

The Transit Future Campaign is co-sponsoring a rally in support of mass transit with Concerned Commuters of Northeast Illinois. Together we will send a message to Gov. Rod Blagojevich that transit funding and reform need to be priorities now! The more people in attendance, the stronger our message will be, so show your support of transit by attending this event. Come to the rally and have your voice heard!

RSVP to David LeBreton at dlebreton@cnt.org or (773) 269-4043.

Lobby Day in Springfield
Thursday, May 10

The Transit Future staff members are heading down to Springfield on Thursday, May 10 to talk to our state representatives face-to-face about the importance of funding for mass transit in Northeastern Illinois. If you want to let your legislator know why you believe mass transit is critical for our region, contact Emily Metz for more information at emily@cnt.org or (773) 269-4070. We want as many coalition-members as possible with us on the Amtrak going down, so come and impact the General Assembly’s decisions about the funding and reform of mass transit!

Meeting with State Representative Julie Hamos
Saturday, May 12, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
The Center for Neighborhood Technology
2125 W. North Ave.

The Transit Future Campaign is coordinating an event for our members to hear about the political lay of the land down in Springfield from the Head of the Mass Transit Committee, Rep. Julie Hamos. Come hear about the transit funding crisis that is taking place right now, and what we c