2009annualreport

2009 Annual Report

American Planning Association - Illinois Chapter

Making Great Communities Happen in Illinois

CONTENTS

1 Letter from the President

2 Illinois Chapter at a Glance

3 Financial Summary

4 Executive Committee

6 Legislative Committee

8 Professional Development

9 FAICP

10 2009 Upper Midwest Conference

15 Awards Program

21 State Sections

22 Illinois State Section

24 Chicago Metro Section

25 Student Planning Organizations

For more information about the people

and programs in this report, please visit:

www.ilapa.org

1 city planning. (2008) in Merriam-Webster. Retrieved March 15, 2008, from Merriam-Webster Online: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary

2 Urban and Regional Planning Career Information. (2008) in American Planning Association. Retrieved March 15, 2008, from American Planning Association Online: http://www.planning.org/careers/fi eld.htm

3 About the American Planning Association. (2008) in American Planning Association. Retrieved

March 15, 2008, from American Planning Association Online: http://www.planning.org/aboutapa/

overview.htm

What is City Planning?

1: to arrange the parts of : design

2: to devise or project the realization or achievement of

3: to have in mind : intend1

“The goal of city and regional planning is to further the

welfare of people and their communities by creating

convenient, equitable, healthful, effi cient, and attractive

environments for present and future generations.

Planning is city building.” 2

What is the APA?

“The American Planning Association (APA) is a

nonprofi t public interest and research organization

committed to urban, suburban, regional, and rural

planning. The APA and its professional institute, the American

Institute of Certifi ed Planners (AICP), advance the art and

science of planning to meet the needs of people and society.” 3

The American Planning Association - Illinois Chapter

Mission Statement:

The purpose of APA-IL is to improve the quality and credibility of

Illinois planning, serving planners by:

Advancing the cause of planning in Illinois,

Enhancing planning skills and tools,

Building mutual support for Illinois planners,

Enhancing communication among planners,

Enhancing communication with affi liated organizations, and

Being a liaison between the APA and Chapter members

February 21, 2010

Dear Colleagues:It is my pleasure to provide this welcome to the 2009 Annual Report of the American Planning Association – Illinois

Chapter. This annual report is a synopsis of the Chapter’s activities over the past year, as well as a celebration of notable accomplishments of members of our fi ne Chapter. This past year was yet another that showed the incredible team orientation and impressive dedication of our Chapter’s volunteers and staff . A few of the highlights:

At the top of that list is the Upper Midwest 2009 Conference Planning Committee. Led by conference chairs Kon Savoy, AICP and Ty Warner, AICP, this tireless committee created dozens of unforgettable learning and networking events. A huge variety of mobile workshops were off ered throughout the region for the 100th anniversary of the Plan of Chicago. The conference featured $119 hotel rooms at the Hyatt in Downtown Chicago – a Chapter-subsidized price that will not likely be seen again soon. The conference was a real highlight of 2009 and the vast majority of reviews and comments we heard were extremely favorable. Thank you, conference committee, for your care and commitment.

I’m very excited to report that in 2009, we revived the PR Committee with a new Chair, Steve Lazzara, AICP of Will County fame. Already, the PR group has organized awards presentations, written and distributed press releases, and assisted other Chapter committees in the quest to “Tell the Planning Story” in more and diff erent places. Please check out www.ilapa.org for more on what this group is up to – and think about how you might join in.

The 2009 year also saw the creation of the APA-IL Young Planners Group, formed to meet the needs of young planning professionals and to train the next generation of APA leaders. The YPG is Co-chaired by Kevin Garcia, Brandon Nolin, and Valbona Kokoshi. Again, you can read more about the YPG at www.ilapa.org.

The Legislative Committee, chaired by Sharon Caddigan, AICP, kept up with quite a few new and amended Public Acts, and drafted letters for the Chapter voicing our support where appropriate and add suggestions for improvement. Thank you Legislative Committee!

Rob Kowalski, AICP, APA-IL Vice President, again led a stellar Chapter Awards program. We have made presentations to the city councils of many of the municipalities that received awards, which adds a valued visible element to the program. We appreciate Rob’s work and the entire committee, as well as the work of many members who submitted award nominations.

As you will see when you read through this annual report, we have more active people and projects in the Illinois Chapter than I can mention in this letter. I haven’t even touched on the fi ne work of Professional Development Offi cer Courtney Owen, or the many programs being conducted by the Chicago Metro Section and Illinois State Section, or our very active Student Planning Organizations -- but please read the reports they have provided. We are very fortunate to have access to a wealth of professional development and networking resources here in Illinois, and it is due to a very fi ne group of volunteers. Administrator John Paige, AICP and Webmaster/Newsletter Editor Paula Freeze make our jobs easier through their coordination and communication. Thank you to everyone involved in Illinois Chapter, Section, and Student activities in 2009!

Karen Stonehouse, AICP, 2009 APA-IL President

PRESIDENT’S GREETING

The American Planning Association - Illinois Chapter

Chapter Membership Growth 1999-2009

2009 Membership Composition

Membership by Type * Membership by Section * Chapter Certifi cation *

67% Regular Membership

19% Student Membership

11% Planning Board Member

3% Other

80% Chicago Metro Section

20% Illinois State Section

63% Non-AICP

36% AICP

1% FAICP

* As of September 2009, APA National’s Membership Department was undergoing restructuring therefore monthly rosters were not prepared

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

1,253 1,2151,293

1,4151,352

1,4591,528 1,529

1,6061,695

2009

1,574

APA-IL AT A GLANCE FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

73.4% Conferences & Meetings

11.1% Administration

6.0% Communications

2.9% Section Support

2.5% Student Support

2.4% Professional Development

1.7% Committees

2009 Expenses Summary

Detailed Revenue Breakdown

Advertising $1,488.00

Conferences $151,369.50 AICP Exam Study Sessions $1,815.00

APA Chapter Rebate $52,196.60

Interest $912.63

Detailed Expenses Breakdown

Administration $29,197.45 Administrator $ 18,675.00 Board Meetings $ 3,459.56 Other $ 7062.89

Communications $15,742.77 Annual Report $ 7,030.81 Newsletter Editor Stipend $ 4,500.00 Webmaster Stipend $ 3,672.64 Website $ 340.32 Software $ 199.00

Committees $4,426.26 Chapter Awards $ 4,161.26 FAICP Applications $ 265.00

Conferences & Meetings $192,290.84 2009 4-State Conf. $ 186,152.07 Co-sponsorship $ 1,800.00 APA Chapter President’s Council $ 750.00 IL Reception at National APA Conf. $ 1,872.17 Other $ 1,716.60

Professional Development $6,298.05 AICP Exam Prep $ 5,374.00 Professional Development $ 924.05

Section Support $7,500.00 Chicago Metro Section $ 3,500.00 Illinois State Section $ 4,000.00

Student Support $6,500.00 University of Illinois - Chicago $ 3,500.00 University of Illinois - U-C. $ 3,000.00

2009 Revenue Summary

72.9% Conferences

25.1% APA Chapter Rebate

0.9% AICP Study Sessions

0.7% Advertising

0.4% Interest

The Chapter started 2009 with $148,977 in funds carried over from 2008. In 2009, advertisement

revenues were markedly lower than anticipated, which contributed to a budget defi cit for the year.

The largest expense in 2009 was attributable to the Upper Midwest conference. The Chapter Board

made a decision to subsidize the hotel rooms at the Hyatt in downtown Chicago, allowing for a more

aff ordable and well-attended conference. This was done with awareness that the overall Chapter

cash-on-hand would likely be reduced, but the benefi t to members was very worthwhile. The

Chapter is considering several options for increasing revenues and reducing expenditures for 2010.

Year End Balance (revenue-expenses) $ (54,173.64)

Year End Money Market Balance: $ 74,660.63

Year End Checking Account Balance: $ 22,017.92

Total Available Funds (as of 12/31/09): $ 96,678.00

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

The offi cers of the Chapter are defi ned in the APA-IL Chapter By-Laws as the President, Vice President, Secretary,

and Treasurer. Each offi cer has a term of two years, and no offi cer can serve in the same offi ce for more than

two full consecutive terms.

As of 2009, the Executive Committee consists of 13 members: the Offi cers, the Section Directors, the Immediate

Past President, the Chairperson of the Professional Development Committee, the Chairperson of the

Planning Offi cials Professional Development Committee, the Chairperson of the Public Relations Committee,

Chairperson of the Legislative Committee, presidents or representatives from each of the student sections of

the American Planning Association from the University of Illinois at Chicago and University of Illinois at Urbana-

Champaign. Ex-offi cio members include the Chapter Administrator, the Chapter Webmaster/Newsletter Editor,

the faculty representatives from the University of Illinois at Chicago and the University of Illinois at Urbana

Champaign, and the Chairperson of the Pro Bono Committee.

The responsibilities of the Executive Committee include a wide variety of Chapter matters: managing the aff airs

of the Chapter, approving the annual budget, reporting to the membership, execute the votes of the Chapter,

authorizing expenditures, and performing other functions as delegated.

Board related documents, such as Chapter By-laws, the Chapter Development Plan, meeting minutes, and

annual reports can be found at www.ilapa.org.

2009 APA-IL Board (left to right): BACK: John Paige, AICP, Administrator; T.J. Blakeman, AICP, Secretary; Vijay Gadde,

AICP, CMS President; Rob Kowalski, AICP, Vice-President; Karen Stonehouse, AICP, President; Mark Koplin, AICP,

Immediate Past President; Ben Carlisle, AICP, Treasurer; Courtney Owen, AICP, Professional Development Offi cer.

FRONT: Paula Freeze, Editor & Webmaster; Kim Smith, AICP, ISS Director; Brian Frost, UIUC Student Planning

Organization, Angela Larsen, UIC UPPSA President;

Not pictured: Grace Bazylewski, Pro Bono Committee Chair; Sharon Caddigan, AICP, Legislative Committee Chair;

Martin Jaff e, UIC Faculty Representative; Steve Lazzara, AICP, Public Relations Committee Chair, Hubert Morgan,

Planning Offi cials Professional Development Offi cer; Rob Olshansky, AICP, UIUC Faculty Representative

2009 APA-IL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

2009 CONFERENCESPO SEMINARS

UPPSA EVENTS

VOLUNTEER

2009 LEGISLATIVE REVIEW

PAGE 6

The New Year began with the historic removal of Governor Rod Blagojevich from offi ce. There were calls of mea culpa, and promises of improved cooperation. Changes in key leadership positions off ered optimism that many long

delayed bills, including a capital program to address our distressed infrastructure, could be advanced during the upcoming session. But…this is Illinois.

The budget impasse took center stage in Springfi eld through much of the fi rst part of the year. The balance of the time seemed to be spent getting ready for elections. However, legislators did do some work. First, they were looking to be greener…

Green Infrastructure for Clean Water Act – Public Act 096-0026• - Directs the IEPA to study the benefi ts of green infrastructure to determine feasibility of regulatory requirements. Eff ective date of Act: June 30, 2009. Green Buildings Act – Public Act 096-0073• - Requires all new State-funded building projects and major renovation to State-owned facilities must seek LEED, Green Globes or equivalent certifi cation. Eff ective date of Act: July 24, 2009 Green Government Grant Act – Public Act 096-0074• - Amends the Act to require Green Governments Illinois Council to review and recommend approval of expenditures on required green product vendors. Eff ective date of Act: July 24, 2009 Green School Cleaning Act – Public Act 096-0075• - Amends the Act, to require all State-owned buildings (not just schools) to purchase and use only green, sustainable cleaning supplies. Eff ective date of Act: July 24, 2009

They also wanted to address the problems associated with the care and maintenance of vacant and foreclosed properties…

Foreclosure Notifi cation Acts – Public Acts 096-0110 and 096-0111• - These acts require 1) vacant, foreclosed properties, to be posted with the mailing address, phone number and contact of the mortgage holder; and 2) notifi cation be given to any tenants of a change in ownership once a foreclosed property has been sold. Eff ective date of Act: July 31, 2009 Distressed Condominiums – Public Act 096-0174• - This Act amends the Condominium Property Act to provide procedures for municipalities to fi le a petition in the circuit court to appoint a receiver to manage or sell distressed condominium property that is a danger, blight, or nuisance to the surrounding community or the public and that is substantially unoccupied, without utilities, or in a serious negative condition. Eff ective January 1, 2010. Vacant Building Loans – Public Act 096-0296 • - This Act allows the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to implement and administer a pilot program during fi scal years 2010 and 2011 to encourage businesses to restore, refurbish, and retrofi t existing buildings that have been vacant for at least 90 continuous days so that a business is able to occupy the building as a retail, professional, corporate, manufacturing, assembly, or distribution business. Eff ective July 1, 2009.

They made a change in the professional regulation of landscape architects, sought by the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA)….

Licensure for Landscape Architects – Public Act 096-0730• - Requires that anyone who purports to be doing business as a ‘landscape architect’ must be properly registered with the Department of Professional Regulations. ASLA has been seeking this change for the past couple of years, modifying their status from a registered to a licensed profession under State law. The Act allows for individuals, who have been engaged in landscape architect work, including planning professionals, to take a test for licensure within a specifi ed time period (2 years from the date of the Act). The Act does specify “licensed Illinois planners,” which indicates how well the State understands its continued on page 7

2009 LEGISLATIVE REVIEW - CONTINUED

PAGE 7

own licensure act, but presumably American Institute of Certifi ed Planners (AICP) designation would serve the same function. Eff ective date of Act: August 25, 2009.

The legislature also worked to promote LEEDS certifi cation elements, an Urban Development Authority, and the STAR line project …

Inclusion of LEEDS Certifi ed Elements in Project Costs – Public Act 096-0630• - This Act provides that “redevelopment project costs” include any direct or indirect costs relating to LEED certifi ed construction elements. Eff ective January 1, 2010. Creates the Urban Development Authority Act – Public Act 096-0234• - This Act creates the Urban Development Authority to make annual reports, sets forth the powers and duties, and makes the Illinois Finance Authority the body that supervises bond issuances of the Authority. Eff ective January 1, 2010. TIF Transportation Projects – Public Act 096-0680• - This Act amends the Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act in the Illinois Municipal Code by providing that a redevelopment project area may include areas within a one-half mile radius of an existing or proposed Regional Transportation Authority Suburban Transit Access Route (STAR line) station. Eff ective August 25, 2009.

Of course, they couldn’t help getting involved in other land-use matters such as extending extraterritorial jurisdiction and regulating setbacks…

Annexation Agreements – Public Act 096-0188• - This new Act provides that, except for Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, Madison, McHenry, St. Clair, and Will counties, if property is subject to an annexation agreement and located more than 1.5 miles from the corporate boundaries of the annexing municipality, that property is subject to the ordinances, control, and jurisdiction of the annexing municipality unless the county board retains jurisdiction by the affi rmative vote of two-thirds of its members. This Act was an attempt to resolve a dispute between Sangamon County and the Village of Chatham. Eff ective August 10, 2009. Limiting Setback Requirements for Wind Towers – Public Act 096-0306 • - This Act provides that a county or municipality may not require a wind tower or other renewable energy system, which is used exclusively by an end user, to be setback more than 1.1 times the height of the renewable energy system from the end user’s property line. Eff ective January 1, 2010

But, one of the most highly awaited bills, from a municipal point of view, is the new Open Meeting and Freedom of Information Act amendments…

Open Meeting and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) – Public Act 096-0542 • - This bill signifi cantly amends both the Open Meetings Act and FOIA. It creates and codifi es a state Public Access Counselor, who can review FOIA requests and compel public bodies to respond. This legislation also rewrites the FOIA statute reducing the amount of time a municipality has to respond, severely limits copying charges, increases what is deemed a public record open for scrutiny, and requires the appointment of a FOIA Offi cer, who must take mandatory training from the State. Eff ective date of Act: January 1, 2010

This last piece of legislation is aimed at allowing greater transparency in the operation of government throughout the State. However, the General Assembly somehow forgot to include themselves in, or rather exempted themselves from, these requirements for greater access to transparency, clarity and sunshine. Ethics legislation at its fi nest!

We encourage you to keep current with planning legislation and to help us promote planning in Illinois by contacting your legislators on bills and issues important to planning. We also encourage you to visit APA’s site at www.planning.org for a comprehensive round-up of federal activities.

-- Sharon Caddigan, AICP, 2009 Legislative Chair

December 2009 was the fi rst deadline for AICP members to obtain their required CM credits. As members and providers learned the ins and outs of the new CM system, the Chapter assisted in various ways. The 2009 Upper Midwest Conference

gave attendees the most opportunities for CM credits at one event which supplemented monthly CMS and ISS Section programs which off er local opportunities for CM credits. APA-IL joined a collection of chapters who have pooled resources to provide free monthly webinars. The APA-IL library was enhanced with CDs that can be borrowed to meet the law

and ethics CM requirements. In 2009, the Chapter was approved for a total of 206 CM credit hours, which were off ered at free or reasonable costs. Of those, 8.5 were law credits and 5 were ethics credits. We are proud of our accomplishments in off ering a multitude of CM opportunities that are free or low cost to our members.

Congratulations to Illinois’ 35 new AICPs who passed the exam in 2009. Nearly 100 members took advantage of the Chapter’s AICP review course (held once every exam cycle), provided by PlanningPrep.

-- Courtney Owen, AICP, 2009 Professional Development Offi cer

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Ellen Anderson, AICP

Reginald Arkell, AICP

Fred Bauermeister

Nellie Beckner, AICP

Ryan Brault, AICP

Nathan Bruck, AICP

Kenneth Cluskey, AICP

Patricia Diduch, AICP

Michael Emerson

Eric Halvorsen, AICP

Andrew Heidel, AICP

Eric Holeman, AICPCO

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What is AICP?The American Institute of Certifi ed Planners (AICP) off ers the United States’ only recognized professional planning certifi cation.

Certifi cation involves passing the AICP Exam, meeting CM requirements and keeping current on dues.

What is CM?As of January 1, 2008, all members of the APA’s professional institute, the American Institute of Certifi ed Planners (AICP), are required to engage in continuing education. Central to the AICP’s principles is the importance of remaining current in the practice of planning and demonstrating professional credibility through continuing education.

Robert Hupp, AICP

Kristin Ihnchak, AICP

Peter Iosue

Charity Jones, AICP

Jonah Katz, AICP

Anne Kiernan, AICP

Kokila Lochan, AICP

Michael Marchyshyn, AICP

Eleanor Mayer, AICP

Michaela Mitchell, AICP

Natalie Myers, AICP

Lorrie Pearson, AICP

Nectarios Pittos, AICP

Samantha Robinson, AICP

Jolene Saul, AICP

Sarah Schneider, AICP

Elizabeth Schuh

Jacob Seid, AICP

Raja Samyukth Shenbaga Kaniraj, AICP

Christopher Stilling, AICP

Julia Suprock, AICP

Jewell Walton, AICP

Julie Young, AICP

The following APA-IL members took the AICP exam and passed in 2009. Those that have paid their

AICP dues at the time of printing have the AICP designation after their name.

FAICP

SAVE THE DATE

What is FAICP?Fellow of AICP is one of the highest honors that the American Institute of Certifi ed Planners (AICP) bestows upon a member. According to the FAICP Nomination

Guidelines, this honor is a recognition of the achievements of the planner as an individual, elevating the fellow before the public and profession as a model planner with signifi cant contributions to planning and society.

Fellows of AICP have achieved excellence in one of fi ve categories: professional practice, teaching and mentoring, research, public and community service, and leadership. Nominees must meet three criteria: member of AICP for at least 15 years, member of AICP in good standing, and an outstanding contribution to the profession over an extended period of time. The fi rst FAICP induction took place in 1999 and APA-IL continues to nominate Chapter members in every nomination cycle.

Fellows are members of the College of Fellows. The College of Fellows is primarily concerned with mentorship and future advancement of the profession of planning. As outstanding professionals in the fi eld of planning, fellows address student organizations and/or state APA conferences or professional development programs.

FAICP

2010 APA-IL State Conference

September 22-24, 2010 - Marriott Bloomington-Normal Hotel and Conference Center

BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL 2010SAVE THE DATE

20

09

FE

LLO

WS

2008 Michael H. Blue, FAICP2008 Elizabeth H. Tyler, FAICP2006 Lee M. Brown, FAICP2006 W. Paul Farmer, FAICP 2004 Charles C. Allen, FAICP 2004 Clyde W. Forrest, FAICP2003 Bruce A. Knight, FAICP2002 Fred P. Bosselman, FAICP

2002 Lewis D. Hopkins, FAICP2002 Norbert J. Pointner, FAICP2002 Leslie S. Pollock, FAICP2001 Albert Z. Guttenberg, FAICP2000 Robert J. Piper, FAICP 1999 Frank S. So, FAICP 1999 Robert B. Teska, FAICP

The following APA-IL members were fellows in 2009 (date of induction is noted)

GET INVOLVED

2009 UPPER MIDWEST CONFERENCE

PAGE 10

GET INVOLVED

3 days•

50+ Mobile workshops•

125+ speakers, facilitators, presenters, and exhibitors•

565 registered-attendees •

93% of the 565 attendees were general members of APA •

or students

20% of attendees were students•

Of those from Illinois, 82% were from the •

Chicago Metro Section

Thursday was the most popular day to •

attend the conference

AT A GLANCE

77% Illinois

17% MN, IA, WI

1% IN, FL, MA, MD, MI, MO, NC, NE, NY,

OH, SD, TX and Canada

Origin of Registered Attendees

Mobile Workshop Committee

Co-chair: Paul Bednar AICP, City of Elgin

Co-chair: Jane Tompkins AICP, Village of Montgomery

C. Benet Haller AICP, City of Chicago

Brian Goeken AICP, City of Chicago

Alfredo Melesio AICP, City of Joliet

Marya Morris AICP

Eiliesh Tuff y, Landmarks Illinois

Transportation Committee

Chair: Heather Tabbert AICP, RTA

Scott Buening AICP, Village of North Aurora

Jason Osborn AICP, McHenry County Highway Dept.

Daniel Thomas AICP, Chicago Transit Authority

Ryan Richter, Metra Commuter Rail

Registration, Hospitality & Administration Committee

Chair: Robert Zimmerer, Village of Roselle

Matthew Fitzgibbon AICP, City of Elgin

Amy Munro, Will County

Kai Tarum, Kane County

Margo Nelson, Lake County

Terry Kuss, Lake County

THANK YOU!

To all our volunteers, thank you for joining us in Chicago for the 2009 Upper Midwest

Planning Conference. We took a risk in changing up the usual conference format

for the Burnham Centennial, and your openness and willingness to adapt to a new

conference experience made it a pleasure to create it and carry it out for you. You “let

your watchword be order and your beacon beauty”...and we thank you for sharing

with us in this once-in-a-hundred-year celebration.

Conference Co-chairs

Konstantine Savoy AICP, Teska Associates

Tyson Warner AICP, Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning

Social Events Committee

Chair: Steve Lazzara AICP, Will County

Deborah Fagan AICP, DuPage County

Jeff Cook, Village of Frankfort

Sponsors & Exhibitors Committee

Co-chair: Mishauno Woggon, City of Champaign

Co-chair: Beth Hibner

Christy Sabdo, Kane County

Norman West AICP, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Mahender Vasandani, M Square / Urban Design

Todd Degner, The Care of Trees

Conference Graphics

T.J. Blakeman AICP, City of Champaign

Badges & Tickets Design & Printing

Terry Kuss, Lake County

Conference Web Page

Paula Freeze

Final Program Design

Dennis McClendon, Chicago CartoGraphics

GET INVOLVED

EVENTS

2009

PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE 11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111112222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222PAGE 12

2009 was a big year for the Chicago region. The 100th anniversary of the 1909 Plan of Chicago was an opportunity

for APA-IL to celebrate Daniel Burnham’s and Edward Bennett’s seminal contribution to planning. The Plan’s legacy

on the shaping of the Midwestern metropolis was explored through readings, original plays and symphonies, exhibitions,

newly commissioned art and pavilions, and various symposiums, bringing an entire region together to look at its past and

its future.

Appropriately, the 2009 Upper Midwest Planning Conference was held in Chicago September 24-26 to coincide with

the Plan of Chicago centennial, drawing a record 700 participants from 16 states and Canada to celebrate the city

and the region through an innovative conference format based entirely around mobile workshops. Conference goers

spread out across the city and its suburbs to see the impact of the Plan’s legacy fi rsthand, utilizing commuter train

and elevated rail, public bus, motorcoach, bicycle, boat, and water taxi in 51 workshops over two and a half days.

Between mobile workshops, attendees re-convened at the Hyatt Regency Chicago to share experiences and discuss

the eff ect of this landmark Plan on the shaping of the Midwest and the planning profession.

In the spirit of Burnham himself, the Illinois Chapter of the American Planning Association joined forces with the

American Institute of Architects and Landmarks Illinois to re-integrate the architectural, planning, and preservation

professions in a series of conference colloquiums examining how these professions can work more closely together

in the future. A “PowerPlanningPalooza“ speed-sharing event channeled this energy across 53 table topic areas for

intense roundtable discussions with peers and colleagues. Plenary sessions not only

MAGIC TO STIR THE BLOOD

2009 UPPER MIDWEST CONFERENCE

continued on page 13

and the region through an innovative conference format based entirely around mobile workshops. Conference goers

recapped the legacy of the Plan of Chicago itself, but looked forward to the next

100 years, considering, for example, the practice of planning when it may no

longer rely on the printed publication (iPad enthusiasts take note!).

Through the APA-IL sponsored Upper Midwest Conference and other

commemorations, 2009 re-focused planning in the Chicagoland area. The 1909

Plan of Chicago has had an enduring vision and elegance that continues to

inform and educate today, crafted in an age where the value of planning was

clearly acknowledged, and when civic responsibility rose higher than parochial

interests. Over 700 participants last fall committed to recapturing this legacy for

the Midwest region and beyond.

-- Ty Warner AICP, Co-chair, 2009 Upper Midwest Planning Conference

MAGIC TO STIR THE BLOOD - CONTINUED


Davis Schneiderman of Lake Forest College on New Tools for Visioning

Conference Co-chairs Ty Warner, AICP and Kon Savoy, AICP with “Daniel Burnham”

“The Chicago Plan presentation was fascinating.”

“In the full year of the Centennial of the Plan of Chicago, this is the

most I’ve learned about the Plan and about Chicago. Marvelous.”

“PowerPlanningPalooza was interesting idea and implemented well.”

“Probably one of the best conferences I’ve been to. Well done!”

“Job well

done by all

involved.”

“Providing mobile workshops on specifi c topics at specifi c locations - - really helped us to

understand and remember the successes and the do’s and don’ts of planning projects. “

“I really enjoyed the mobile workshops. To be able to get out of a hotel basement and experience the city was wonderful.”

“Great conference overall - far exceeded my expectations!”

“The best feature of this conference was the mobile workshops and this is why I attended.”“Ty and Kon (and their crew of volunteers) deserve a tremendous

amount of credit for organizing the conference and rounding up

interesting speakers/presenters/project managers. Also, thank

you to the sponsors who subsidized our meals and hotel rooms!”

“The venue for the ethics session was absolutely outstanding

and the company and discussion was most enjoyable!”“Absolutely enjoyed the mobile workshops, I’m sure it took a lot

of planning but would recommend all conferences be like that!”

“The opportunity to explore projects in-depth while talking directly to the stakeholders was invaluable - thanks!”

“I enjoyed the emphasis on the mobile workshops and the power planning palooza, it was a great opportunity to learn about several topics in a short time and share ideas with colleagues.”

“I LOVED the mobile workshop format. Great fun and educational.”

“Hotel meeting area and food was excellent.”

2009 CONFERENCE


Chair of the Awards JuryRob Kowalski, AICP, City of Champaign

Roseann O’Laughlin, AICPChicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning

T.J. Blakeman, AICP, City of Champaign

Michael Mayes, AICP, Village of Woodridge

Jon Oliphant, AICP, City of Washington2009 Awards Jury

Each year the Illinois Chapter of the American Planning Association

conducts an Awards Program to recognize excellence in Illinois planning.

A variety of categories are off ered in order to allow for a diverse range of

planning initiatives to be recognized. The categories generally parallel the

national APA Awards categories and include:

Daniel Burnham Award for a Comprehensive Plan

Honoring a comprehensive or general plan that advances the science and art of planning.

The award honors Daniel Burnham’s contributions to the planning profession and to a greater

awareness of the benefi ts of good planning. Given for a group achievement and may be made

to a planning agency, planning team or fi rm, community group, or local authority.

Strategic Plan

Recognizes a plan targeted for a specifi c area of the community with strategic actions designed to produce

change and improvement. Examples include neighborhood plans, downtown plans, redevelopment plans,

area-wide zoning studies, brownfi eld redevelopment plans, etc.

Best Practice

For a specifi c planning program, process or tool that emphasizes results and demonstrates innovative and

state-of-the-art planning methods. Examples include codes, ordinances, design guidelines, application of

technology, customer service, etc.

Community Outreach

For an initiative that illustrates how a community utilized the planning process to address a need that

extends beyond the traditional scope of planning. Demonstrates how community input was used to shape

a plan or produce change. Examples include community vision eff orts, neighborhood outreach, outreach to

special populations, engagement of youth, etc.

Implementation

Recognizes the implementation of a plan that accomplishes its objectives in a substantial, timely and eff ective

manner. May include the completion of a development project as an implementation eff ort of a plan.

Sustainability

Recognizes a planning, program or development eff ort that achieves a stated goal of environmental

sustainability. This category emphasizes results and can include development projects resulting from a plan,

infrastructure improvements, community programs to raise environmental consciousness, etc.

Student Project

Recognizes excellence in urban planning study and demonstrates the link between academia and practice.

Can either be an individual or group project.

2009 AWARDS PROGRAM

Strategic Plan

Ogden Avenue Corridor Enhancement Initiative

Funding Agency: City of Naperville

Contributors: Houseal Lavigne Associates

Project Description

This graphic-intensive plan not only presents a vision for this aging

commercial corridor, but is also organized as a handbook enabling

business owners to initiate their own property improvements. The

most impressive aspect of the project is how the City backed-up the

vision with a City initiated a grant program for property owners to make

improvements.

Reconnecting Neighborhoods

Funding Agency: Regional Transportation Authority

Contributors: Metropolitan Planning Council, HNTB Corp.,

City of Chicago, Quad Communities Dev. Corp., ShoreBank Corp.,

Chicago Transit Authority, Chicago Dept. of Transportation,

Partnership for New Communities, Metra

Project Description

The Reconnecting Neighborhoods initiative augments the Chicago

Housing Authority’s Plan for Transformation eff orts by working with

residents, institutional representatives, and public sector leaders to

“reconnect” these communities back into the city. The eff ort included

impressive coordination among various public and private sector entities.

2009 AWARD RECIPIENTS

Daniel Burnham Award for a Comprehensive Plan

The Last Four Miles: Completing Chicago’s Lakefront Parks

Funding Agency: Friends of the Parks

Contributors: BauerLatoza Studio, Louis R. Lurie Foundation, Topografi s,

Soloman Cordwell Buenz, Greene & Proppe Design, AECOM

Project Description

Motivated by the Burnham Plan Centennial, Friends of the Parks teams

with professionals, community groups, and public offi cials to envision the

completion of Chicago’s lakefront parks.

The Last Four Miles: New ecologically

sustainable parkland connecting the

small parks and beaches in Chicago’s

Rogers Park neighborhood.

Faced

with an aging com-

mercial corridor, the

businesses along

Ogden Avenue were

eff ective in creating a

concise new vision.

The Reconnecting Neighborhoods initiative is an

innovative planning approach focusing on the Near

North, Near West, and Near South sides of Chicago.

Contributors: BauerLatoza Studio, Louis R. Lurie Foundation, Topografi s,

with professionals, community groups, and public offi cials to envision the

Strategic Plan - Continued...

West Bloomington Neighborhood Plan

Funding Agency: City of Bloomington, State Farm Bank

Contributors: Teska Associates, West Bloomington Task Force,

Illinois Wesleyan University

Project Description

This neighborhood’s quality of life plan outlines the reinvestment and

redevelopment needed, as well as a comprehensive coordinated agenda

to revitalize the community. The plan is recognized for the impressive

eff ort to organize residents, city offi cials and the business community to

develop a neighborhood plan that can easily be implemented. The plan

was truly drafted “by” residents and not just “for” residents.

Best Practice

City of Naperville Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice Report

Funding Agency: City of Naperville

Contributors: Planning / Communications

Project Description

The City of Naperville reinvented the Community Development Block Grant Analysis of Impediments to Fair

Housing Report by melding sound planning, legal, and sociological practices and principles into a high-

quality, comprehensive, and innovative report. The Naperville AI puts forth a proactive comprehensive

approach to nipping impediments to fair housing in the bud and bringing a halt to the nascent levels of

segregation that are developing so the city can achieve a free housing market without racial discrimination.

Considered most innovative is how the AI identifi es what the racial and ethnic composition of Naperville

would be in a free housing market truly determined by income and housing price and not a market distorted

by discriminatory practices.

Community Outreach

Kiswaukee Street Corridor Revitalization Plan

Funding Agency: City of Rockford

Contributors: HNTB Corporation

Project Description

This four-mile corridor once was the industrial heart of the city and

remains a vital transportation link connecting Rockford to the Chicago

Rockford International Airport. Today, the Kiswaukee Empowerment

Group, created by the plan, has successfully worked to achieve robust

growth of additional community partners committed to the area’s

revitalization.


RIGHT:

The West

Bloomington

Neighborhood

Plan

The

Kiswaukee

Street

Corridor was

supported

by a stable

residential

neighborhood,

but economic

and

demographic

shifts have

resulted in

disinvestment

in property

Implementation

Village of Plainfi eld Lockport Street Streetscape

Funding Agency: Village of Plainfi eld

Contributors: The Lakota Group, Christopher B.

Burke Engineering, Ltd., Baxter and Woodman, The George Sollitt

Construction Co.

Project Description

The project completely reshaped the look and feel of downtown

Plainfi eld by creating a more pedestrian-oriented environment. Most

impressive was how this project implemented a plan that was created

with a well crafted vision that was conceived from a dedicated steering

committee of key stakeholders.

Sustainability

Honoring Our Water: A Regional Stormwater Plan for Peoria, Tazwell &

Woodford Counties

Funding Agency: US Dept. of Agriculture and Natural Resource

Conservation Service

Contributors: Tri-County Regional Planning Commission, Peoria County,

Illinois River Valley Council of Governments

Project Description

The Honoring Our Water plan represents an impressive eff ort to bring

together multiple jurisdictions to address sedimentation and pollution

problems in an innovative and comprehensive way. The plan includes

a concise implementation table that outlines actions to achieve results

along with estimated costs. A Stormwater Advisory Council continues to

meet to ensure the recommendations of the plan are brought to fruition.

North Branch Chicago River Open Space Plan

Funding Agency: Lake County Stormwater Management Commission

Contributors: Friends of Chicago River, Futurity, Inc.

Project Description

The North Branch Chicago River Open Space Plan identifi es an inventory

of open space land needs in the watershed. The plan addresses

conservation, water quality, fl ooding, and recreation needs at the

watershed level thereby tying together individual community open space

programs and the Forest Preserve land in both Lake and Cook Counties.


Along with the functional aspects, the project

also greatly enhances the beauty of historic

downtown Plainfi eld.

The Illinois

River has

long been

a regional

concern with

sedimentation

occurring

over the last

80 years

decreasing the

depth of many

sections of the

river.

The watershed for

the North Branch

of the Chicago

River includes 24

municipalities, a

number of special

districts, local,

state, and federal

jurisdictions. The

watershed drains into

3 tributaries that drain

into the Chicago River

which fl ows south

through the City.

Contributors: Tri-County Regional Planning Commission, Peoria County,

watershed level thereby tying together individual community open space

ABOVE: APA-IL’s Award for a Student Project presented at the City of Carbondale’s December 1, 2009 City Council meeting. Pictured left to right is Rob Kowalski, SIU architecture instructors Sarah Lawrence and Laura Morthland, and Carbondale Mayor Brad Cole. BELOW: Poster-type plans

Student Project

Revitalization and Adaptive Reuse: Maximizing the

Potential of Downtown Carbondale

Agency: City of Carbondale

University: Southern Illinois University School of Architecture

Project Description

The interaction of scholastic learning and community growth is

demonstrated in the artistic renditions of improvement ideas for

downtown Carbondale, commonly called “The Strip”. Presented

in a series of poster-type plans, students demonstrate a strong

understanding of urban form and building design and show how

they can complement each other to create a more functional and

attractive urban space. The overall diversity and energy exhibited

in the fi nal presentations give the community a wonderful three-

dimensional vision of what their downtown core could become.

The project consisted of both individual and group work and

contributed towards the completion of the City’s comprehensive

plan.

City of Galesburg East Main Street Corridor Plan

Agency: City of Galesburg, University of Illinois Extension:

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Department of Urban

and Regional Planning

Project Description

The City of Galesburg’s need for a vision for the East Main Street

corridor created an opportunity for a partnership between the

City, the U of I Extension and the UIUC Dept. of Urban and Regional

Planning (DURP). The corridor is one of two major entrances to the

City from Interstate 74 and is often the fi rst impression visitors have

of Galesburg. The student planning team organized a participatory

process, stimulated excitement and energy around what the

corridor could look like in the future using a visual survey approach.

The participatory eff ort also allowed the student group to better

understand the political processes involved in plan making.


The City, U of I

Extension and DURP

team fi nished with a

high quality product

to be implemented by

the City of Galesburg.

2009 DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

Tyson Warner, AICP

The Illinois Chapter of the American Planning Association is proud to

present the 2009 Distinguished Service Award to Ty Warner, AICP. Each

year the Chapter recognizes individuals who have made a substantial contribution

to planning excellence in Illinois. Through both professional and volunteer eff orts,

Ty Warner is deserving of this year’s award. Ty has served as Planning Principal for

the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) since 2006.

Ty’s greatest accomplishments at CMAP include the fi nal development of the

award winning 2040 Regional Framework Plan Centers Toolkit as well as the

CMAP community and technical assistance program. Prior to CMAP, Ty served

various positions for Will County, Illinois since 1992, most

notably as Planning Director since 1997. Ty’s most signifi cant

accomplishment at Will County includes the completion of the

award winning Land Resource Management Plan.

Distinguished Service recognition is awarded not only for

professional service but also for character and leadership.

Ty has truly established himself as a mentor for those who

have worked with him over the years. Over twenty letters

of support for his nomination illustrate how his passion and

energy for the profession have inspired them. His skills as

a communicator and listener has contributed to a better

public understanding and appreciation of

planning as well. Most notable is his eff ort

in establishing “World Town Planning Day”

open houses in Will County to increase public

awareness of planning. Finally, as co-chair of

the 2009 Upper Midwest Conference, Ty has

implemented new ideas and strategies for

planners to share their accomplishments in

the profession. His innovative approach to

planning the conference has greatly benefi ted

the membership of the APA-IL.

-- Rob Kowalski, AICP

Ty Warner, AICP receiving APA-IL’s 2009 Distinguished Service Award at the 2009 Upper Midwest Conference held in Chicago, IL, September 25, 2009.

2009 DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

To better serve our members, the

State has two “Sections”: the Chicago

Metro Section (CMS), which includes

all members in the counties of Cook,

DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane,

Kankakee, Lake, McHenry and Will;

and the Illinois Section (ISS), which

covers the remainder of Illinois. The

CMS includes over 1,300 members

while the ISS includes about

350 members. Due to the large

geographic area of the ISS, it can be

diffi cult for the section to eff ectively

promote its eff orts. To better serve

its members, the ISS is further

broken into six regions.

The ISS is governed by an Executive

Board and a regional coordinator for

each of the six regions. The CMS has

an Executive Committee.

- Rob Kowalski, AICP

2009 Regional Coordinators

Region 1: Christopher Limas, AICP

Region 2: Nick Hayward

Region 3: Mishauno Woggon

Region 4: Stephanie Ashe

Region 5: Matthew Asselmeier/Paul Ellis

Region 6: Chris Wallace, AICP

CHAPTER SECTIONS

Uptown Theater, Normal, IL. Location of the 2009 ISS Spring Conference.

Kim Smith, AICP, Director

Philip Dick, AICP, Assistant Director

Chris Mathias, Treasurer

Jennifer Howland, AICP, Secretary

Jon Oliphant, AICP, Training Coordinator

Rob Kowalski, AICP, Past Offi cer

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ILLINOIS STATE SECTIONThe Illinois State Section had a productive year in 2009.

At the beginning of the year the section established the

following goals:

Support practicing planners with networking and knowledge base.•

Promote planning as a profession.•

Increase perceived benefi t of APA-IL ISS membership.•

Establish local community presence as an organization.•

Increase outreach.•

Our goals were achieved by:

Our successful 2009 Spring ISS Conference, “THE PLAN – ENERGY, WATER & THE CITY”, which was held 1.

March 26-27, 2009 in Bloomington, IL at the historic Normal Theater. Organized by Phil Dick, AICP of

McLean County, IL. The conference:

Highlighted development activity in the Bloomington-Normal, IL, twin-city area.•

Provided an update from Senator Durbin’s offi ce about The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act •

of 2009 and available funding.

Gave expert information on watershed infi ltration, and engineering and hydrology principles that •

best manage stormwater as a resource.

Delivered a diff erent and thought-provoking keynote presentation on energy from author Edwin •

Black, based on his books: “Internal Combustion” (how corporations and governments addicted the

world to oil and derailed alternatives) and “The Plan” (how to rescue society the day the oil stops - or

the day before). The books were available for sale and signing.

It continues to be the focus of the Board to provide these conferences, with opportunities for CM credit, at

low cost to our members. The sessions were well attended and all were approved by APA for CM credit.

The Illinois State Section sponsored two Citizen Planner Training Workshops in 2009: 2.

“Keeping Up with the Times - A Citizen Planner’s •

Toolkit,” Collinsville, Illinois on September 30, 2009:

This year, the ISS Region 5 planning commissioner

training workshop focused on the basics. The

2009 program included presentations by the

City of Urbana, IL special counsel, Jack Waaler,

and St. Louis planning consultant Jim Pona, who

shared their insights on what it takes to be an

eff ective citizen planner,

ILLINOIS STATE SECTION - CONTINUED


ILLINOIS STATE SECTIONfollowed by a presentation from Joy Paeth of the Area Agency on

Aging, who gave attendees tips on how to plan for an increasingly aged

population. Attendees came from Alton, Carlinville, Collinsville, Columbia,

Edwardsville, Fairview Heights, Granite City, Madison County, Mascoutah,

Monroe County, O’Fallon, and Vandalia.

“Growing the Greenways Plan and Trail,” Lake Bloomington, Illinois, November 6, 2009: Given by the •

McLean County Greenways Advisory Committee, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR),

the McLean County Regional Planning Commission, the Town of Normal, the Ecology Action Center,

the Normal Public Library, and McLean County. The program was packed: Local planners presented

the McLean County Regional Greenways Plan; IDNR explained program changes and their interest

in the greenways plan; Conservation Design Forum presented innovative and simple conservation

practices (developing complete native habitats and treating water as a valuable resource); and the

Sugar Grove Nature Center discussed connecting kids with nature and developing a program based

on the “No Child Left Inside” initiative. Also, the City of Peoria Public Works Department presented

their stream buff er ordinance; and Tri-County Regional Planning Commission shared their process of

developing a multi-jurisdictional trail planning project.

These workshops were designed for plan commissioners, elected offi cials and the general public,

off ering relevant planning topics and a great opportunity for citizen planners to stay in tune with trends

in the profession.

Regional coordinators are especially helpful in linking the far reaches of our section together. Our regional 3.

coordinators invest time and dedication to off er the Illinois State Section the best opportunity to eff ectively

serve its members and those in Illinois’ downstate communities. Illinois State Section membership has been

better connected and informed through the work of our regional coordinators, who:

Manage a database of planners, plan commission and elected offi cial contacts for each region•

Forward planning-related regional news for inclusion in the APA-IL newsletter to promote awareness •

of planning related issues around our regions.

Reach out to communities in their region with news about the American Planning Association•

Reach out to current and future members to explain who we are and what we do, communicate the •

return on investment for membership, encourage attendance at conferences and workshops, and

solicit chapter award submittals.

Finally, the regional coordinators are asked to consider organizing a Citizen Planner Training •

Workshop in their region. This helps spread these great workshops around the state and gives more

citizen planners the opportunity to participate in workshop near their home.

Attendance at both the 2009 Spring ISS Conference and 2009 Upper Midwest Conference from each 4.

region was encouraged through personal contact and a subsidy.

The number of APA-IL Chapter Awards applications from the ISS increased this year. With 5 winners and 5.

3 nominees just imagine at how Illinois State Section members are improving Illinois communities!

The ISS will continue to work towards increasing the value and relevance of our great organization to meet

our professional needs throughout the coming years. Thank you to everyone that contributed in 2009!

-- Kimberly Smith, AICP, 2009 ISS Director

ILLINOIS STATE SECTION - CONTINUED

Daniel Peterson of the Village of Lake

Zurich speaking at the February 19,

2009 CMS program on ‘The ABC’s of

From Based Codes.’

CHICAGO METRO SECTIONAt the CMS, we always cherish the opportunity to learn from and be inspired by the work of our fellow planners, urban designers, and attorneys. In 2009, we conducted eight successful programs on a variety of topics including Form Based Codes, Green building codes, planning law and human investment planning. Over the past two years, the CMS has seen more than 10 percent increase in attendance at these events.

2009 SessionsParticular items of interest for the 2009 sessions include assisting hundreds of planners, at an aff ordable cost, to gain signifi cant number of continuing education credits through APA approval. The CMS also collaborated with other entities such as CMAP, Scenic Illinois, and Illinois State Toll Highway Authority.

The year’s highlight was the November program – Planning Law Update, which was attended by a record 114 planners! In addition to the current Illinois legislative, regulatory, and judicial developments that aff ect planners, this program also provided practical guidance and recent examples of working with LED signage and digital billboards.

Student ReimbursementsThe CMS worked with the UIC Urban Planning and Policy Student Association and approved student reimbursements up to $700 payable towards the registration for the 2009 APA Upper-Midwest Conference, with no student receiving more than 50% of the conference registration fee. Offi cers of the CMS appreciate the funding provided by the APA-IL for 2009 which made this possible.

2010 Program Committee Finally, over 20 enthusiastic planners got together and brain stormed on October 9, 2009, at the CMAP offi ce and managed to develop a preliminary calendar of programs for 2010. The fi nal calendar was mailed out in early 2010 to all who are currently listed in the CMS listserv. If you did not receive the 2010 CMS Calendar, you may visit the APA-IL CMS website at ilapa.org to view the calendar. To add yourself to the CMS listserv and insure you receive the CMS program information throughout the year visit: http://www.ilapa.org/faq.html#CMS

Many thanks to the fellow CMS offi cers, program committee volunteers, and speakers for their contributions for keeping our profession relevant and up-to-date, and making 2009 another successful year for the APA-CMS.

-- Vijay Gadde, AICP, 2009 CMS President

Vijay Gadde, AICP, President

Jeromie Winsor, Vice President

Heather Tabbert, Treasurer

Julie Summers, Secretary

Allison Laff , AICP, Past President

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During 2009, the Student Planning Organization (SPO)

at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Department of Urban and Regional Planning (DURP)

worked at increasing student interaction and

development beyond the academic curriculum. Interaction was

fostered at the student level among graduate and undergraduate

students and at the department level among students and faculty

through educational events as well as social events. This interaction

and involvement added value to the educational experience of SPO members

and exposed them to the professional world of planning. Some of the

highlights from 2009 are:

Conference Support

SPO helped sponsor nine students to attend the 2009 APA National Conference in Minneapolis.•

Twenty-seven students attended the 2009 APA Upper Midwest Conference in Chicago and were •

compensated for part of their travel and accommodations by SPO.

SPO helped fund Jane Tigan, a graduate student, to attend the second annual GLUE (Great Lakes •

Urban Exchange) Conference in Milwaukee, WI, March 12-14, 2009.

Saturday Education Seminars

In the Fall, the SPO Board created the ‘Saturday Education Seminar’ series, a bi-weekly series

accompanied by refreshing coffee and bagels! Graduate students presented on topics they had

experience in. These seminars included ‘Development Project Loans’ by Crystal Withers, ‘Google

SketchUp’ by Malika Ramdas, ‘Sustainable Planning Experience in Costa Rica’ by Samantha Copeland,

‘Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and the Section 108 Loan Program’ by Michael

Wisth, ‘Scenario Planning’ by Ryan Holmes, ‘Property Valuation and Assessment’ by Sophie Sianis and

‘Facilitation Graphics’ by Myles Alexander. These seminars helped broaden the students’ educational

experience.

SPO

SPRING AND FALL 2009

John Kersh, President

Brian Frost, Vice President & APA RepresentativeJane Tigan, Graduate RepresentativeKatie Cowlin, Undergraduate RepresentativeBrad Gregorka, TreasurerCasey Loving, Secretary

Divya Chandrasekhar, Tim Green, Ryan Holmes, Kate Nesse, UPwords Staff

Michael Stein, Malika Ramdas,

Eric Holthaus, Web Co-chairs

Rosa Lee, Education Chair

Laura Curvey, Professional Development Chair

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SPO barbecue at the end of the

2009 fall semester.

Professional development:

In March 2009, SPO organized a day trip to •

Chicago to meet with alumni and other planning

professionals, and to have discourse with them

about their ongoing projects. Students visited

CMAP (Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning) and the Chicago Department of Environment.

This was an endeavor to help connect the students to alumni and professionals in Illinois.

A resume workshop was organized to help students polish up their resumes. •

Department involvement:

SPO organized and helped sponsor events during the department’s Open House to meet with •

prospective students, show them around campus, and introduce them to the program at the

University of Illinois. SPO also participated in the planning and organization of the welcome week

for graduate students in the form of icebreakers, information sessions and software workshops.

SPO participated in the hiring process of a new professor for the Department of Urban and •

Regional Planning.

SPO awarded two ‘2008 Spring Service Awards’ to graduate students Terrence Scudieri, Jr. and •

Robert Boyer for their outstanding service to SPO.

Student interaction:

Sixteen students participated in the SPO co-ed intramural kickball team in Fall 2009!•

SPO organized social events to allow students and faculty to build camaraderie within the department.•

A SPO bulletin board was installed •

in DURP’s computer lab to inform

students of upcoming SPO events.

To support its activities, SPO •

also organized a t-shirt sale

fundraiser.

Beyond academics:

During spring break 2009, a group

of five SPO members spent the

week touring five cities in the Rust

Belt to learn from on-the-ground

practitioners about planning in the

context of a “rustbelt” city. Visit their

blog at rustbeltroadtrip.wordpress.com

and find out more about their trip.

-- Malika Ramdas, 2009 SPO Web Co-chair

Bill D’Avignon met with SPO members to discuss “rustbelt” planning in

Youngstown, Ohio. (Left to Right- Brad Gregorka, Azad Amir-Ghassemi, Bill

D’Avignon, Jane Tigan, Susy Hemphill, John Campbell)

SPO - CONTINUED

Students and faculty at the end of semester barbecue

The Urban Planning and Policy Student Association at the

University of Illinois at Chicago (UPPSA) provides a crucial

support network to students, organizing educational and

professional development, as well as social activities. During

the 2009 school year, UPPSA held various events focused on networking,

sustainability, design, and community outreach.

Striving to connect students with the planning world around them, we

have collaborated with numerous local planning groups. Through the support of

APA-IL, UPPSA was able to assist numerous students in attending the national and

local APA conferences. Chapter support was also used in the fi rst Career Paths in

Planning speaker dinner, with an impressive panel sharing professional experiences.

UPPSA also partnered with CMAP throughout the year hosting Community

Conversations, Invent the Future, and design workshops. In the spring, they worked with the US Green Building

Council Chicago chapter to organize several speaker events regarding green building and jobs. UPPSA members

have also worked with the UIC Engineers without Borders group, providing hands-on planning and community

assistance on a water purifi cation project in Guatemala.

In the fall, UPPSA worked with the Public Administration Student Association (PASA) to bring the fi rst College of

Urban Planning & Public Aff airs (CUPPA) block party, welcoming new and returning students and faculty on the

Peoria street cul-de-sac. They also organized a Park(ing) day demonstration along Halsted Street, converting a

parking space into green open space. Throughout the year, the group hosted visiting groups of American and

international planning students. UPPSA supported a fundraiser for the new UIC Community Scholars group,

which is collaborating with development organizations in capacity building. Continued professional development

opportunities include participation in the APA Mentorship Program, visits to planning departments in Milwaukee

and Arlington Heights, an internship information panel, and an upcoming career panel event co-hosted with

APA-CMS. Exciting plans for 2010 include a new website and revamped internship fair. Go to www.uppsa.org or

UPPSA.blogspot.com to see what we’re up to!

-- Katie Bowman, 2009 UPPSA Vice President

SPRING 2009Angela Larsen, President

Aleece Smith, Vice PresidentJason Saavedra, Treasurer

Jerad Weiner, SecretaryValbona Kokoshi, APA RepresentativeKemberle Taylor, APA Representative

Katie Bowman, First Year APA Representative

FALL 2009Jason Saavedra, President

Katie Bowman, Vice President, APA RepresentativeMichael Sobczak, Treasurer

Jennessa Berg, SecretaryValbona Kokoshi, APA Representative

Andy Waggoner, Professional Development Offi cerJackie Scanlan, Chief Activities Offi cer

Sara Amaral, First Year APA Representative

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UPPSA

Park(ing) Day Demonstration

(top left) Michael Sobczak, Danielle Inendino, Jennessa Berg,

Andy Waggoner; (bottom left) Benjamin Bourlange, Annie Shim,

Valbona Kokoshi, Katie Bowman, Jason Saavedra

Thank you to our 2009 Annual Report Sponsors

Thank you to our 2009 Upper Midwest Conference Sponsors!

THANK YOU

Organizational Sponsors Corporate Sponsors

2009annualreport

Documents

Transcript of 2009annualreport