McHenry Times

The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) has announced its 2024 technical assistance awards. This year, CMAP received 122 applications from 96 different applicants, marking the highest number of applications to date. The agency has selected 30 new technical assistance projects aimed at supporting communities with ADA compliance, transportation safety, and other long-term planning needs.

CMAP serves as the comprehensive regional planning organization for northeastern Illinois. Annually, in collaboration with the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), CMAP invites project proposals from the region's 284 municipalities as well as eligible nonprofits, neighborhood groups, and other organizations seeking assistance. The technical assistance program offers planning and implementation support, interagency expertise, leverages the region’s transit network, and builds local government capacity.

The program is primarily funded by federal metropolitan planning funds that were reauthorized and increased through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The Rebuild Illinois initiative provided matching funds necessary to secure the full share of these enhanced federal funds.

For further information on these projects or CMAP’s long-range plan "ON TO 2050," which details strategies for transportation, housing, economic development, open space, environmental concerns, and other quality-of-life issues across northeastern Illinois' seven counties and 284 communities, stakeholders are encouraged to visit the 2024 Project Awards for Technical Assistance program guide or contact CMAP directly.