Metropolitan Planning Council

Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) Associate Emma Boczek shared her conversation with Emily Simonson, Director of Strategic Initiatives at US Water Alliance in a recent blog post. Emily discussed how their work has evolved since the MPC 2024 "A Vision for Water" 💧 panel event, in which they participated last May during #ChicagoWaterWeek. In this interview, Emily provides insights about water happenings through the lens of US Water Alliance's work, and discusses what is being considered after the changes in the federal administration that took place since the event. Read the full blog here: https://lnkd.in/ec_yEJYV

🚆 🚍 On Thursday, March 13, 2025, Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) Senior Director Audrey Wennink facilitated a table discussion at the Chicago Mobility Collaborative (CMC) meeting alongside the Chicago Department of Transportation, the Chicago Transit Authority, and Palenque LSNA. The conversation focused on Transit and Better Streets for Buses, exploring the potential impact of the fiscal cliff and how city agencies are preparing to address challenges. Participants heard updates on CTA’s new service frequency improvements and shared their thoughts on how additional transit investments could improve their daily commutes, as well as concerns about potential service cuts. To learn more about the CMC or sign up for the next event, click here: https://ow.ly/A5jX50VkeEf

Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) Senior Director Audrey Wennink is participating as a panelist for the Young Professionals in Transportation – Chicago Chapter (YPTCHI) Brown Bag Webinar on Friday, March 28 from 12:30-2:00 pm. The webinar includes a presentation + Q&A session on transit funding and governance reform in Chicago. The event is free to attend and does not require a YPT membership, but an RSVP is required. Interested ❓ Learn more and register at the link below.

STAFF SPOTLIGHT: 🌟 DEBBIE LIU 🌟 Get to know MPC Manager Debbie L. below! How long have you been at MPC❓ ➡️ 6 years What other board, committee or volunteer roles have you taken on❓ ➡️ I am the president of the Ping Tom Park Advisory Council and a board member of Active Transportation Alliance. I'm also an advisory member of the Thriving Youth, Stronger Communities program for the Lohengrin Foundation. In addition, I volunteer for Sit Stay Read and Anti-Cruelty Society. Where do you call home❓ ➡️ I'm a native Chicagoan! While I grew up in Armour Square and Bridgeport, I now live in South Loop with my husband, toddler, and dog. What do you love most about our region❓ ➡️ I love that there's something for everyone here – whether it's cuisine, housing types, or events and activities. Plus, we're the best type of "Midwest nice." What's something most people don't know about you❓ ➡️ I've never lived in a single family detached house! Can you share a recent creative work that moved you ❓ ➡️ I currently cannot get Squid Games out of my head! It is such a creative social commentary of the current state of affairs, life/death and inequality. What keeps you motivated in your work ❓ ➡️ Being a parent is tough, but it is a constant reminder and motivation on the importance of this work. What's one of your favorite local restaurants or cafes? What do you order there ❓ ➡️ I live in a Filipino-Chinese blended household and love to snack on Spanish Bread from Umaga Bakehouse.

Update on the effort to reform regional transit & request for action: Last week, MPC testified at a Senate Transportation Committee hearing in support of the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Act (MMAA) (SB5/HB1833) to unify and strengthen our regional transit system. See more background on the issue at https://ow.ly/TKH350Vjy31. This week, the MMA will be heard in a House Transportation Committee meeting on Wed., March 19 at 4pm. If you are interested, there is an opportunity to submit a witness slip in support of HB1833 prior to the committee meeting this week . To submit a witness slip, visit: https://ow.ly/yRQu50Vjy30, fill in your information (you can represent “self” or an organization), select “proponent” and “record of appearance only”. It takes about 3 minutes total! MPC supports increased funding of transit operations at a level of $1.5B per year, and a reformed agency will be better set up to spend these funds on increasing effectiveness and integration of regional transit. Pictured: MPC Senior Director Audrey Wennink testifying last week.

The Chicago region is facing a transit operating budget shortfall. If the fiscal cliff materializes and new funding solutions aren’t secured, transit agencies will be forced to enact drastic service cuts. These potential reductions would impact tens of thousands of daily riders and reshape how people move throughout the region. 🚆 🚍 🚋 In this blog, MPC Senior Advisor Thomas Bamonte and MPC Manager Hugo Coronado provide the background and methodology behind a series of StoryMaps that illustrate what such service cuts might look like. Read the blog here: https://lnkd.in/e86XJcCj

The Chicago Tribune recently reported on neighborhood sentiment following the Chicago Plan Commission approval of a land use plan that could bring thousands of new housing units to a 20-block stretch of Broadway in Edgewater and Uptown. As part of the article, MPC Senior Director, Daniel Cooper, an Uptown resident shared his views on the process.

STAFF SPOTLIGHT: 🌟 CHRISTINA HARRIS 🌟 Get to know MPC Senior Director Christina Harris below! How long have you been at MPC❓ ➡️ My first stint at MPC was in Development from 2012 – 2014. My second stint started in 2018 on the Program side and has continued to today. So, a total of 8 non-consecutive years. What is your title❓ ➡️ Senior director, but I’ve also been a research assistant, an associate, a manager, a director, and now a senior director. I’ve had essentially every title. Which MPC teams or projects do you work on❓ ➡️ My work focuses on land use and planning which touches on a lot of our project work across the organization. I also provide internal support to ETOD, housing, and stormwater work. My projects are Land Use and Zoning Assessment, Great Rivers Chicago, City Development Process Reform, Equitable Development Resources, and Major Development and Policy Review. Where do you call home❓ ➡️ The east coast, but I’ve lived in Chicago for almost twenty years. What do you love most about our region❓ ➡️ The lakefront—Lake Michigan is such a vital, natural resource in the region.

We are excited to announce that Raed Mansour has joined the MPC team as a Senior Fellow for the Greening America's Cities (GAC) initiative. 🍃 GAC goals aim to enhance green spaces in underserved urban U.S. communities with more parks, trees, and community gardens. 🌳 🌳 Raed was previously the founder of the Chicago Department of Public Health’s Office of Innovation and past Director of Environmental Innovation, pioneering innovative approaches to public health, combining urban science, informatics, and community collaborations to create lasting impact. He brings a wealth of experience as a senior advisor to executive leadership where he played a role in shaping environmental public health and implementing innovative programs through a whole-of-government approach. 👏 Welcome, Raed!

STAFF SPOTLIGHT: 🌟 DAN COOPER 🌟 Get to know MPC Senior Director Daniel Cooper below! How long have you been at MPC❓ ➡️ Six years What is your title❓ ➡️ Senior Director of Research Which MPC teams or projects do you work on❓ ➡️ Zoning, Housing, Right Infrastructure -- addressing barriers to housing development (Cut the Tape) Where do you call home❓ ➡️ Edgewater What do you love most about our region❓ ➡️ Lake Michigan! What’s something that most people don’t know about you❓ ➡️ It's true, I am the same Dan Cooper who parachuted out of that airplane in 1971. Who or what inspires you ❓ ➡️ I'm inspired by artists who write protest songs, from Woody Guthrie to Public Enemy and Kendrick Lamar, and the current generation of artists whose songs will define the next few years. What keeps you motivated in your work ❓ ➡️ There's a lot at stake and it's important to double down on democracy and good public policy to improve people's lives. What's one of your favorite local restaurants or cafes? What do you order there ❓ ➡️ Any wrap at Taste of Lebanon