The APA-IL Chicago Metro Section's June 2021 session explored major planning initiatives that are transforming Chicago. The City of Chicago, under the leadership of Mayor Lori Lightfoot, is engaging in two innovative and comprehensive planning efforts that will change the landscape of development in Chicago for years to come. We Will Chicago is a 3-year comprehensive planning initiative that prioritizes equity, resiliency, and engagement to create a new, inclusive vision for the city. INVEST South/West is an unprecedented economic development strategy created to marshal $750 million towards development efforts on the south and west sides of Chicago. With the new Commissioner of the Department Planning and Development, Maurice Cox, at the helm, Chicago is addressing, head on, the social and economic inequities that impair Chicago’s legacy as a global city. Come learn how Chicago, by putting equity, resiliency, and inclusion at the forefront, is creating a roadmap for the revival of disinvested communities. Speaker: Commissioner Maurice Cox, City of Chicago Department of Planning & Development Moderator: Kimberly Morris, APA-CMS Asst. Director and Planner at the City of Chicago Department of Planning & Development Introductions by Nina Idemudia, AICP, APA-IL President Elect and Asst. Commissioner at the City of Chicago Department of Planning & Development

The Illinois Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ILASLA) and the APA-IL Chicago Metro Section (APA-CMS) presents an engaging discussion on community lighting standards and the ins and outs of Dark Sky communities. This virtual session features a panel of experts who can provide insight from both the planning and design perspectives. Panelists include: Drew Carhart - Executive Board Member, Illinois Coalition for Responsible Outdoor Lighting (ICROL) Vijay Gadde, AICP - Director of Planning & Zoning, Village of Homer Glen Drew W. Tedford, BLA - Midwest Regional Sales Manager, Sternberg Lighting Rick Utting - Director of Strategic Initiatives, Landscape Forms, Inc. The session will begin with a basic overview of the idea behind Dark Sky communities and the current status of certified communities. Learn about Homer Glen, the first International Dark Sky Community in Illinois (2011), and the fourth in the world. Topics covered will include a discussion of Homer Glen’s Outdoor Lighting regulations, implementation issues, need for transition to LEDs, and how to integrate smart cities technology in public lighting. Also learn about strategic approaches to outdoor lighting in a time when we need to get the absolute most out of our public spaces. And lastly, learn about understanding written standards in communities and how changes in technology are allowing for more precise use of lighting to provide sense of safety, sense of community, and reduce energy consumption and light pollution.

The APA Chicago Metro Section (APA-CMS) and Transport Chicago invite you to join a virtual session on transportation implementation. With limited project funding, high infrastructure capital costs, and bureaucratic red tape, transportation agencies are using rapid deployment projects to overcome objections, test innovative solutions and refine designs before they become permanent. These pilots allow agencies to move more quickly and in a more responsive manner than would normally be permitted with traditional design/bid/build projects. Join us to learn how transportation agencies are leveraging these tools to solve their most pressing and of the moment transportation issues and what lessons they have learned in doing so. SPEAKERS: Yohannes Eagle Bennehoff, Transportation Management Specialist, WMATA Coordination, Transit Delivery Division, Project Delivery Administration, District Department of Transportation Bette Maloy, ASLA, Urban Designer | Office of Design, Public Space Studio, City of Atlanta Department of City Planning Noel Pond-Danchik (she/her/hers), Transportation Planner and Racial Equity Team Co-Chair, Bicycle & Pedestrian Division | Oakland Department of Transportation Kate Riordan, Associate Transportation Planner | City of Milwaukee - Department of Public Works Sonia Sequeria, Community Engagement Manager | Office of Design, City of Atlanta Department of City Planning

The APA-IL Chicago Metro Section (APA-CMS) and the American Society of Landscape Architects, Illinois Chapter (ILASLA) hosted an online forum to discuss COVID-19 and the near- and long-term potential impacts of social distancing on the planning, landscape architecture, and urban design professions. How are consulting and design firms changing their operations to respond to social distancing requirements? With regard to public engagement, what impacts of social distancing will be permanent? Do we need to design more flexible urban spaces to accommodate distancing in the future? The event started with a short webinar (recording above) where our panelists discussed their own take on things. After the panel discussion, participants broke out into various virtual meeting rooms to have smaller group conversations (not part of the recording above, only part of the live event). Panelists: Eileen Franz, AICP - City Planner, City of Elmhurst. During her time in Elmhurst, Eileen has worked on the Downtown Plan update and subsequent rezoning of the Downtown area. Prior to working at the City of Elmhurst, she worked at the Will County Land Use Department for 10 years doing planning, zoning administration and historic preservation. Eileen has a Bachelor's degree in Sociology from the University of Iowa and a Master's in Urban Planning and Policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Brandon Nolin, AICP - Senior Project Manager, Houseal Lavigne. Brandon has 13 years of planning, community engagement, and market analysis experience and specializes in comprehensive planning and economic development. He uses his background in archaeology, statistics, and market research to develop data-driven plans that are both physically achievable and economically viable. Brandon has worked in communities of all shapes and sizes. He has created award-winning plans to reposition disinvested communities like Flint, MI and North Lawndale on Chicago’s west side; leverage key redevelopment opportunities in growing downtowns; revitalize aging commercial corridors in inner ring suburbs; and strengthen small rural towns and emerging suburban communities. Scott Stewart, Ph.D., Affiliate ASLA , Executive Director of Millennium Park Foundation Scott is deeply passionate about the value and role of public space. His goal is to create free, open, and culturally representative experiences for people in public spaces of artistic and architectural significance. He believes Millennium Park is the international standard-bearer in this regard, and believes his role with the Foundation is to maintain the uncompromisingly high standards in art, architecture, landscape architecture, and cultural programming that have made the Park an icon. Scott has previously held positions with Lurie Garden, Park District of Oak Park, Morton College, Kankakee Community College, and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. He is extensively published on topics ranging from the evolving roles of public gardens and parks to rare plant species propagation and conservation. Scott holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Horticulture from the University of Florida, and a bachelor’s degree in Biology and Chemistry from Illinois College. Emanuel “Chris” Welch - Partner, Ancel Glink. Chris practices in the area of litigation for governmental clients with over 20 years in practice. Chris has served as a State Representative in the Illinois General Assembly since January 2013 representing the Seventh District. Nationally, he has presented for the Congressional Black Caucus in Washington, D.C., the National Conference of Black State Legislatures and the State Innovation Exchange (SIX) Conference. This event was brought to you by APA-IL Tier I Sponsor: Houseal Lavigne and ILASLA Sponsors: ANOVA Unilock