433 West Van Buren Street  
Suite 450  
Chicago, IL 60607  
312-454-0400  
cmap.illinois.gov  
CMAP BOARD  
MEETING MINUTES - FINAL  
Wednesday, April 8, 2026  
9:30 AM  
Cook County Conference Room  
433 West Van Buren Street, Suite 450  
Chicago, IL 60607  
Members of the public who attend in-person can pre-register for a visitor's pass at info@cmap.illinois.gov  
until April 7, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. or should plan to arrive early to check-in with the building's information  
desk for access.  
You can also join from your computer, tablet or smartphone.  
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82917643166?pwd=T5D697gzTxXjvaPBrescB9BeRxuTB1.1  
Conference Call number: 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)  
Meeting ID: 829 1764 3166  
Passcode: 056489  
CMAP provides the opportunity for public comment. Individuals are encouraged to submit comment by  
email to info@cmap.illinois.gov at least 24 hours before the meeting. A record of all written public  
comments will be maintained and made publicly available.  
The total cumulative time for public comment is limited to 15 minutes, unless determined otherwise by  
the Chair. Public comment is limited to three minutes per person unless the Chair designates a longer or  
shorter time period. Public comments will be invited in this order: Comments from in person attendees  
submitted ahead of time; comments from in-person attendees not previously submitted; comments from  
virtual attendees submitted ahead of time; and comments from virtual attendees not previously  
submitted.  
To review CMAP's public participation policy, please visit https://www.cmap.illinois.gov/committees.  
If you require a reasonable accommodation or language interpretation services to attend or join the  
meeting, please contact CMAP at least five days before the meeting by email (info@cmap.illinois.gov) or  
phone (312-454-0400).  
1.0  
Call to Order and Introductions  
Present:  
Gerald Bennett, Frank Beal, Gary Grasso, Paul Hoefert, John Noak, Richard Reinbold,  
Nancy Rotering, Joanna Ruiz, Carolyn Schofield, Matthew Walsh and Jung Yoon  
Matthew Brolley, Jada Curry, Nina Idemudia and Anne Sheahan  
Absent:  
Non-Voting: Kouros Mohammadian  
Staff present:ꢀLaurent Ahiablame, Erin Aleman, VasꢀBoykovskyy, Christopher Castaneda, Kama Dobbs,  
Phoebe Downey, Austen Edwards, Kate Evasic,ꢀElizabeth Ginsberg,ꢀRyan Gougis, Jane Grover, Kasia  
Hart, Craig Heither, Jaemi Jackson, Aimee Lee, MarenꢀLutterbach, Stephane Phifer, George Rivera,ꢀ  
Charlie Rotering, Kyle Schulz, Jennie Vana, Blanca Vela-Schneider,ꢀElizabeth Scott,ꢀIsmetꢀSulamc  
Others present:ꢀGarland Armstrong, Eric Czarnota,ꢀMichael Collins, Rithvika Dara,ꢀJane Hirt, Neil  
James,ꢀGeorgeꢀKandathil, Helen Kerr,ꢀGretchen Klock,ꢀDavid Kovarik,ꢀBrian Larson,ꢀHeidi  
Lichtenberger,ꢀRyan Peterson, Leslie Rauer, Nigel Smith, Vicky Smith,ꢀJoe Surdam,ꢀDaniel Thomas,  
AdaleeꢀWasikonisꢀ  
(CMAP Board Member John Noak and non-voting CMAP Board MemberꢀKouros Mohammadianꢀ  
arrived at 9:40 a.m.)  
2.0  
Agenda Changes and Announcements  
There were no changes to the agenda.ꢀ  
2.01 Executive Director’s report  
26-084  
Attachments: Memo - Executive Director Report  
Executive Director Erin Aleman provided an update on recent notable CMAP activities. She reminded  
members that the call for projects for the Technical Assistance Program is open, with applications due  
April 17 at noon. The CMAP team is available to discuss project concepts with communities seeking  
support.  
Aleman further reported that CMAP has published its annual State Budget Analysis, which identifies  
potential impacts of the proposed state budget on transportation, economic development, and  
climate priorities. The analysis will be updated once the enacted budget becomes available.  
Executive Director Aleman then provided an update on Century Plan engagement, noting ongoing  
meetings with Councils of Government (COGs) across the region. She anticipates sharing insights with  
the Board before the summer break.  
Aleman also highlighted two recent Catalyst Series events: one on housing in Lake County and one on  
industrial land use in Oswego. She thanked President Brolley for hosting and Mayor Noak for serving  
as a panelist. Discussions focused on industrial development needs, energy challenges, and  
opportunities for improved regional coordination.  
Erin Aleman announced that next Wednesday CMAP will host the third Catalyst Series event at the  
Old Post Office to celebrate the completion of the Comprehensive Climate Action Plan. Board  
members, including Carolyn Schofield and Mayor Curry, plan to participate. Details will be shared  
following the meeting.  
The Future Leaders in Planning (FLIP) program is now open for applications from high school students.  
Director Aleman noted the program’s long-term impact on building a talent pipeline in planning and  
public policy fields.  
She concluded by previewing the agenda, which includes presentations on the newly published  
Transportation Resilience Improvement Plan (TRIP) and an update on strategic foresight work for the  
Century Plan.  
The Executive Director's report was received and filed.  
CONSENT AGENDA  
A motion was made by MemberꢀFrank Beal, seconded by MemberꢀNancy Rotering, to approve agenda  
items 3.01 through 4.01 under the Consent Agenda. The motion carried by the following vote:  
Aye:  
Gerald Bennett, Frank Beal, Gary Grasso, Paul Hoefert, John Noak, Richard Reinbold,  
Nancy Rotering, Joanna Ruiz, Carolyn Schofield, Matthew Walsh and Jung Yoon  
Matthew Brolley, Jada Curry, Nina Idemudia and Anne Sheahan  
Absent:  
Non-Voting: Kouros Mohammadian  
3.0  
Approval of Minutes  
3.01 Minutes from March 11, 2026  
26-085  
26-086  
Attachments: 3.11.26 CMAP Board meeting minutes draft  
Agenda items 3.01 through 4.01ꢀwere approved under the Consent Agenda.  
4.0  
Other Items for Approval  
4.01 Report on Line of Credit (LOC) utilization  
Attachments: Memo - Report on Line of Credit (LOC) utilization  
Agenda items 3.01 through 4.01ꢀwere approved under the Consent Agenda.  
REGULAR AGENDA  
5.0  
Information Items  
5.01 Transportation Resilience Improvement Plan (TRIP) update  
26-093  
Attachments: Memo - Transportation Resilience Improvement Plan (TRIP)  
CMAP Program Lead Kata Evasic presented the Transportation Resilience Improvement Plan (TRIP),  
the region’s first comprehensive resilience roadmap. Published last month, TRIP was developed with  
partners across transportation, stormwater, and emergency management sectors.  
Evasic described the growing frequency and cost of climate-related disasters in Illinois and the region,  
noting trends in flooding, extreme heat, and severe storms. In the past three years, federally declared  
flooding disasters in northeastern Illinois have resulted in more than $500 million in federal  
assistance.  
She explained that regional infrastructure has historically been designed for a stable climate, yet  
future climate conditions will diverge substantially from past norms. TRIP provides both analysis and  
actionable strategies to help transportation implementers prepare for these changes.  
Evasic highlighted findings from CMAP’s climate vulnerability assessment, which shows that 34  
percent of non-local roads face high or very high flood risk. Transit rider vulnerability to extreme heat  
is also widespread, with more than half of bus stops and rail stations categorized as high or very high  
risk when considering exposure and socioeconomic factors.  
TRIP includes a regional project list consisting of 64 partner-identified projects, more than half of  
which are already programmed in the regional Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). From that  
list, CMAP identified 20 highest-priority projects to guide near-term coordination and funding efforts.  
Evasic also described 21 project strategies, both structural and nature-based, and 27 organizational  
strategies that can be applied across the region to strengthen infrastructure resilience.  
During discussion, Board members raised topics including coordination with Wisconsin on flood  
mitigation; the importance of local control over land use and water management; the connection  
between resilience planning and housing policy; the need to address both heat and cold exposure at  
transit stops; increasing tornado frequency and power grid vulnerability; and the importance of  
native landscapes in stormwater management.  
Kate Evasic welcomed invitations to present TRIP findings to local communities and encouraged Board  
members to connect CMAP staff with key partners.  
The TRIP update was presented.  
5.02 The Century Plan update  
26-095  
Attachments: Memo - The Century Plan update  
Helen Kerr of Kerr Smith Design presented an update on the strategic foresight component of the  
Century Plan. She emphasized that the purpose of foresight is to examine uncertainty, challenge  
assumptions, identify risks and opportunities, and strengthen long-term regional decision-making.  
Kerr described the project’s development of eight major drivers of change, including artificial  
intelligence, demographic shifts, economic fragility, geopolitical and domestic tensions, climate  
instability, and global migration. She explained how these drivers shape four possible scenarios for  
the region’s future, ranging from collapse to accelerated growth.  
Kerr facilitated interactive exercises using real-time polling to explore how technological change and  
shifting social dynamics may influence jobs, governance, and community life. Board members  
reflected on the implications for workforce development, industry attraction, housing affordability,  
the skills gap, youth mental health, and local government responsibility for public trust and  
engagement.  
She noted that CMAP will finalize the scenarios and begin identifying “grand challenges” to anchor  
the Century Plan’s long-term strategies. A full draft of scenario materials will be shared later this year.  
Elizabeth Scott provided an overview of upcoming milestones. She described how the State of the  
Region report and strategic foresight work are informing the development of the plan’s priorities.  
CMAP is conducting small-group discussions across the region, including in the City of Chicago, and  
will host additional topical events throughout 2026.  
Scott said that in June the Board will receive a synthesis of regional feedback and emerging directions  
to guide CMAP’s transition from listening to plan formulation.  
(CMAP Board Member Gary Grasso left the meeting at 10:46 a.m.)  
The Century Plan update was presented.  
5.03 Legislative update  
Attachments: Memo - Legislative update  
26-094  
A legislative update was provided in the Board’s agenda packet; no verbal presentation was given  
during the meeting.  
The legislative update was received and filed.  
6.0  
7.0  
Other Business  
There was no other business before the CMAP Board.  
Public Comment  
This is an opportunity for comments from members of the audience.  
Garland Armstrong provided virtual public comment. Armstrong emphasized the need for improved  
ADA compliance, including sidewalk clearance during snow events, enhanced communication for  
individuals with limited English proficiency, and stronger flood preparedness in areas vulnerable to  
viaduct flooding.  
8.0  
9.0  
Next Meeting  
The next meeting is scheduled for May 13, 2026.  
Adjournment  
A motion was made by MemberꢀRichard Reinbold seconded by MemberꢀNancy Rotering,ꢀtoꢀadjourn the  
meeting. The motion carried by the following vote:  
Aye:  
Gerald Bennett, Frank Beal, Gary Grasso, Paul Hoefert, John Noak, Richard Reinbold,  
Nancy Rotering, Joanna Ruiz, Carolyn Schofield, Matthew Walsh and Jung Yoon  
Matthew Brolley, Jada Curry, Nina Idemudia and Anne Sheahan  
Absent:  
Non-Voting: Kouros Mohammadian  
The meeting was adjourned atꢀ11:02ꢀa.m.ꢀꢀꢀ  
Minutes prepared by MarenꢀLutterbachꢀusingꢀMicrosoftꢀCopilotꢀM365.ꢀ