Regional Agencies

Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning

CMAP develops the region's long range transportation plan and the Transportation Improvement Program, which is the 5-year list of all federally funded and regionally significant transportation projects in northeastern Illinois. CMAP also programs CMAQ funds, which have helped finance bicycle and pedestrian projects in the region. CMAP provides technical and planning support for sub-regional and local bicycle and pedestrian planning efforts. www.chicagoareaplanning.org and www.catsmpo.com/prog-bikeped.htm

Tom Murtha, Chief Transportation Planner

tmurtha "at" cmap.illinois.gov

312.386.8790

fax 312.386.8791

233 S. Wacker Dr., Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60606

Regional Transportation Authority

RTA coordinates and administers funding for the region’s transit agencies. Its Regional Technical Assistance Program (RTAP) supports local projects that provide improved access to transit. Many communities are using this program to propose transit, bicycle and pedestrian oriented development around their transit stations. www.rtachicago.com

John Allen, Ph.D.

175 W. Jackson Blvd, Suite 1550 Chicago, IL 60604

Illinois Prairie Trail Authority

IPTA is a legislatively created coalition of the forest preserve districts of Lake, McHenry, Kane, DuPage and Will Counties. It fosters trail development and connectivity.

Jack Cook, Chairman

forestpreserve "at" co.kane.il.us

630.232.5983

fax 630.232.5924

719 Batavia Avenue, Building G, Geneva, IL 60134

Transportation Planning and Implementing Agencies

Illinois Department of Transportation

IDOT plans, implements and maintains the state’s system of highways and bridges and administers traffic safety programs. IDOT plays a role in state and federally-funded local road projects as well, providing design guidance and funding coordination. In 1999, IDOT incorporated policies into its design manual regarding the accommodation of bicycle and pedestrian facilities in state roadway projects. It has also developed a set of recommended policies and procedures for federal aid and motor fuel tax funded local road projects. www.dot.state.il.us and www.dot.state.il.us/bikemap/bikehome.htm.

Statewide bike/ped policies and the Interagency Bikeways Council

Todd Hill, Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator

todd.hill "at" illinois.gov

217.785.2148

fax 217.524.9357

2300 S. Dirksen Parkway, Springfield, IL 62764

Funding and coordination of state road projects

Pete Harmet, P.E., Bureau Chief of Programming,
District 1

847.705.4393

fax 847.705.4666

201 W. Center Court, Schaumburg, IL 60196

Bike/ped policies and standards for state road projects

Mitchell Rogers, Air and Noise Specialist, Bureau of Programming, District 1

847.705.4716

fax 847.705.4159

201 W. Center Court, Schaumburg, IL 60196

Pedestrian Operations

James Stoner, P.E., Pedestrian Safety Engineer, Bureau of Traffic, District 1

847.705.4152

fax 847.705.4198

201 W. Center Court, Schaumburg, IL 60196

Bike/ped accommodations on state and federally-funded local road projects

Chad Riddle, Federal Aid Program Engineer

riddlecf "at" dot.il.gov

847.705.4406

fax 847.705.4203

201 W. Center Court, Schaumburg, IL 60196

Funding safety programs

Pam Burke, Team Manager Traffic Safety Division

burkeps "at" dot.il.gov

217.785.3044

Fax 217.558.0141

3215 Executive Park Drive, Springfield, IL 62794

Transit funding and design opportunities

Neil Ferrari, Bureau Chief of Public Transit

312.793.3616

fax 312.793.1251

310 S. Michigan Blvd., Chicago, IL 60604

County Departments of Transportation

Each county DOT has its own approach to accommodating non-motorized users of its roadways.

Cook

John Beissel, P.E., Transportation and Planning Bureau Chief

312.603.1660

fax 312.603.9945

69 W. Washington Street, 23^rd floor, Chicago, IL 60602

DuPage http://www.co.dupage.il.us/dec/bikeways/index.asp

Deborah Jan Fagan, DuPage County Trail System Coordinator

dfagan "at" dupageco.org

630.681.2221

fax 630.682.7179

421 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, IL 60187

Kane http://www.co.kane.il.us/DOT/COM/Bicycle/index.htm

Tom Rickert, Chief of Planning and Programming

rickerttom "at" co.kane.il.us

630.584.1170

fax 630.584.5265

41W011 Burlington Road, St. Charles, IL 60175

Lake

Bruce Christensen, Transportation Coordinator

bchristensen "at" co.lake.il.us

847.362.3950

fax 847.362.5290

600 W. Winchester Road, Libertyville, IL 60048

McHenry

Joseph Korpalski, Jr., P.E., County Engineer

815.338.3630

fax 815.338.8461

McHenry County Highway Dept., Box 369, Woodstock, IL 60098

Will

Sheldon Latz, P.E., County Engineer

815.727.8476

fax 815.727.9806

16841 W. Laraway Road, Joliet, IL 60433

Sub-Regional Planning: The Councils of Mayors

Outside of Chicago(see below), northeastern Illinois is divided into 11 sub-regional Councils of Mayors.  Each council has engaged in some bicycle planning activities, such as inventorying existing conditions for cyclists and using Surface Transportation Program funds for bicycle and pedestrian projects. In 2006, the North Shore, Northwest, South Suburban, West Central, DuPage, McHenry and Kane Councils received planning funds for activities such as: developing sub-regional capital programs, producing and distributing facilities maps and other promotional materials, finding connections amongst neighboring communities and providing technical and planning support at the local level. For more information about sub-regional and municipal transportation planning, contact the planning liaison for your area.

Chicago Department of Transportation

In 2006 Chicago adopted the Bike 2010 Plan, which includes recommendations in the areas of engineering, education, encouragement and enforcement. A 1997 Bicycle Facilities Development plan  identified and prioritized potential off-street corridors for bicycle travel. Recent projects include the Major Taylor Trail, the Burnham Greenway, the Valley Line Trail and the Indian Creek Trail. The Streets for Cycling plan identified a network of on-street facilities and provided the basis for updating the city’s bicycle map. Implementation of this plan, which involves striping bike lanes and installing signage, is currently underway. Since 1992, over 100 miles of bikeways have been established and 10,000 bike racks have been installed.

CDOT also works with communities interested in traffic calming and pedestrian friendly streetscapes. In 2006, CDOT and three neighborhoods hosted Walkable Communities workshops to gather community input and design ideas for upcoming projects.

Visit www.cityofchicago.org/transportation for copies of plans, educational pamphlets and Chicago's bike map as well as information about CDOT's traffic calming and streetscape projects.

Beth Gutelius, Pedestrian Program Coordinator

312.744.5718

City of Chicago Department of Transportation

Keith Privett, Transportation Planner

kprivett "at" cityofchicago.org

312.744.1981

fax 312.742.2422

30 N. LaSalle, Suite 500, Chicago, IL 60602

Ben Gomberg, Bicycle Program Coordinator

bgomberg "at" cityofchicago.org

312.744.8093

fax 312.744.8511

30 N. LaSalle, Suite 400, Chicago, IL 60602

Illinois Secretary of State’s Office

The Secretary of States Office is concerned with people driving safely on the roadways. In addition, it is concerned that children also be safe on the roadways, whether they are walking, riding their bicycles or on and around school buses. The office has developed safety presentations that are conducted in school classrooms or assemblies targeting children from preschool to 3rd grade. Among other safety related services, the Secretary of State maintains a traffic safety line at: 866-247-0213. The Secretary of State also maintains a Web site with safety information, including a page of links to pedestrian and bicycle safety information. The general web site for the Secretary of State is www.cyberdriveillinois.com.

Kathleen Widmer

kwidmer "at" ilsos.net

312.814.2905

Fax: 312.793.8560

17 N. State, Room #1152, Chicago, IL 60602

Illinois Commerce Commission

The ICC has Guidelines on Pedestrian/Multi-Use Accommodations and Rail Grade Separations. A community seeking assistance from the Grade Crossing Protection Fund (GCPF) for construction of a pedestrian/multi-use grade separation (overpass or underpass) must submit a project application to the Commission’s Rail Safety Section. Proposed pedestrian bridges must be located outside the existing right-of-way limits of a public highway to be eligible for GCPF assistance. A Formal Petition with the Commission seeking permission to construct the walkway/multi-use structure is also required.

Brian Vercruysse, Rail Safety Specialist

bvercruy "at" icc.state.il.us

630.424.8750

fax 630.424.8751

527 E. Capitol Avenue, Springfield, IL 62701

Forest Preserves, Park Districts

Illinois Department of Natural Resources

IDNR’s mission includes protecting and managing Illinois’ natural resources. It has been the lead agency in the implementation of the Grand Illinois Trail, an off and on road system of designated bicycle facilities connecting Lake Michigan to the Mississippi. It also administers grant programs that provide federal and state funds to local government entities. The Bikeways Program provides funding for trail enhancement and development. www.dnr.state.il.us

George Bellovics, Division of Planning (Grand Illinois Trail)

Gbellovics "at" dnrmail.state.il.us

815.625.2968

Fax 815/625-0706

2317 E. Lincolnway, Sterling, IL 61081

David Longo, Northeastern Illinois Greenways and Trails Program Manager

dlongo1 "at" dnrmail.state.il.us

847.608.3100 x2037

fax 847.608.3111

Tri-County State Park, 2050 W Stearns Rd, Bartlett, IL 60103

County Forest Preserves

The forest preserves plan, implement and maintain trail facilities.

Forest Preserve District of Cook County

Cathy Geraghty

cbgeraghty "at" yahoo.com

708.771.1097

536 N. Harlem Avenue, River Forest, IL 60305

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

Andrea Hoyt, Manager of Project Development

ahoyt "at" dupageforest.com

630.933.7243

fax 630.933.7686

3 South 580 Naperville Road, Wheaton, IL 60187

Forest Preserve District of Kane County

Jon Duerr

forestpreserve "at" co.kane.il.us

630.232.5980

fax 630-584-5265

719 Batavia Building G, Geneva, IL 60134

Forest Preserve District of Lake County

Michael Fenelon

847.968.3339

fax 847.680.6304

2000 N. Milwaukee, Libertyville, IL 60048

McHenry County Conservation District

Steve Gulgren, Planning and Development Manager

www.mccdistrict.org

815.678.4431

fax 815.678.6241

6512 Harts Road, Ringwood, IL 60072

Forest Preserve District of Will County

Ralph Schultz, Chief Landscape Architect

rschultz "at" fpdwp.org

815.727.8700

fax 815.272.9415

PO Box 1069, Joliet, IL 60434

Local Park Districts

For a listing of park districts by municipality, contact:

Illinois Association of Park Districts

www.ilparks.org

217.523.4554

fax 217.523.4273

211 E. Monroe Street , Springfield, IL 62701

Public Transit Providers

Chicago Transportation Authority

CTA provides bus, rail and para-transit service in the city of Chicago and some nearby suburbs. Bicycles are allowed on CTA trains except during rush hour. CTA’s fleet of buses is equipped with bicycle racks, which can carry two bicycles. See www.transitchicago.com/downloads/brochures/biketran.pdf. CTA is also installing bicycle racks in transit stations to provide sheltered, secure parking. www.transitchicago.com

Amy Malick, Development Coordinator

amalick "at" transitchicago.com

312.681.4161

fax 312.432.7127

547 W. Lake St., Chicago, IL 60661

Pace Suburban Bus Service

Pace provides suburban and collar county bus service. Its entire fleet of buses is equipped with bicycle racks, which can carry two bicycles. www.pacebus.com.

Taqhi Mohammed, Transportation Engineer

taqhi.mohammed "at" pacebus.com

847.228.4287

fax 847.364.9020

Pace Department of Planning Services, 550 W. Algonquin Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60005

Metra

Metra provides commuter rail service for the region. It is working to improve bicycle and pedestrian access to its stations by installing bicycle racks and supporting the construction of sidewalks and bikeways. Metra permits bicycles on some trains; users must bring bungy cords to secure them. See www.metrarail.com/Special_Promotions/bikes_on_trains.html

Mark Minor, Planning Dept.

mminor "at" metrarr.com

312.542.8100

fax 312.542.8102

547 W. Jackson, Chicago, IL 60661

Advocacy

Chicagoland Bicycle Federation

CBF promotes the use of bicycles for transportation and recreation in northeastern Illinois. It has provided technical assistance to municipalities and sub-regions during the development of bicycle plans, and is engaged in a variety of education and promotional activities, including the Healthy Streets Campaign, the Shop by Bike Program and the Commuter Challenge.www.biketraffic.org

Randy Neufeld, Healthy Streets Coordinator

randy "at" biketraffic.org

312.427.3325

fax 312.427.4907

9 W. Hubbard St., Suite 402, Chicago, IL 60610-6545

League of Illinois Bicyclists

LIB is a statewide bicycle advocacy organization whose goals are to educate about safe and effective bicycling; teach and promote the rights and responsibilities of bicyclists; promote bicycling for transportation and recreation; inform state and local governments of bicyclists' needs; coordinate and support local bicycle advocacy efforts; and advocate for on-road and off-road access rights. They also maintain a list of bicycle clubs in the area. www.bikelib.org

Ed Barsotti, Executive Director

ed "at" bikelib.org

630.978.0583

2550 Cheshire Drive, Aurora

Openlands

Openlands is an advocacy, planning and implementation organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing public open space in northeastern Illinois. It is particularly interested in the provision of off-street bicycle and pedestrian facilities and corridor preservation. Openlands worked with NIPC to produce the Regional Greenways and Trail Plan. Openlands has created a real estate affiliate, CorLands, which expedites the acquisition of trail corridors for state, county and local governments. www.openlands.org

Ders Anderson

danderson "at" openlands.org

312.427.4256 x237

fax 312.427.6251

25 E. Washington Street, Suite 1650, Chicago, IL 60602

Center for Neighborhood Technology

CNT is a non-profit organization that strives to build prosperous, sustainable communities by linking economic and community development with ecological improvement. Its transportation focus is to promote clean, non-polluting, equitable movement of people and goods in the region. It develops programs to reduce reliance on automobiles, including 1) ShareCarGo, a car-sharing program being piloted in several Chicago communities, 2) the Location Efficient Mortgage Program which allows home buyers near transit to increase the size of a mortgage commensurate with their transportation savings and 3) Walker’s Win!, which organizes parents to lobby for pedestrian safety improvements around schools. www.cnt.org

Janice Metzger

jan "at" cnt.org

773.278.4800 x119

fax 773.278.3840

2125 W. North Avenue, Chicago, IL 60647

Metropolitan Planning Council

MPC is a non-profit, non-partisan group of business and civic leaders committed to serving the public interest through the promotion and implementation of sensible planning and development policies necessary for a world-class Chicago region.   It conducts policy analysis, outreach and advocacy in partnership with public officials and community leaders to improve equity of opportunity and quality of life throughout metropolitan Chicago. www.metroplanning.org

 Karyn Romano, Transportation Director

kromano "at" mpc.org

312.863.6005

fax 312.922.5619

25 East Washington Street, Suite 1600, Chicago, IL 60602

The Conservation Foundation

The Conservation Foundation works to preserve and protect open space, natural landscapes, rivers and watersheds in DuPage, Kane, Kendall and Will Counties. With the DuPage Mayors and Managers Association, it published Trails and Bikeways: Valuable Assets for Vibrant Communities. www.theconservationfoundation.org

Judy Fitchett

630.428.4500

fax 630.428.4599

10 S. 404 Knoch Knolls Road, Naperville, IL 60565

Illinois Trails Conservancy

Building on the work of the now closed Illinois chapter of rails to trails, this organization lobbies for the construction and use of trails for recreation and transportation.

Bev Moore, Volunteer Chairman

bebomoore "at" aol.com

815.569.2472

fax 815.569.2976

PO Box 10, 144 W. Main Street, Capron, IL 61012

Friends of the Great Western Trail

This organization is working to improve safety along and across the trail, as well as to improve non-motorized access to it.

Don Kirchenberg

FrndsGrtWstnTrl "at" aol.com

630.682.9297

247 E. Lincoln Avenue, Glendale Heights, IL 60139

American Council of the Blind

Ray Campbell, Board Member

country.boy "at" worldnet.att.net

630.469.0545

460 Raintree Court #3-K, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137

Campaign for Sensible Growth

The Campaign for Sensible Growth is a coalition of government, civic and business leaders in northeastern Illinois working to promote economic development while preserving open space, minimizing the need for costly new infrastructure and improving the livability of communities. www.growingsensibly.org

Michael Davidson, Campaign Manager

mdavidson "at" metroplanning.org

312.863-6009

fax 312.922.5619

25 East Washington Street, Suite 1600, Chicago, IL 60602

Public Health

Illinois Department of Public Health

The Nutrition and Physical Activity section within the Division of Chronic Disease Prevention and Control at IDPH recognizes the role transportation habits can play in overall health and is collaborating with other agencies to help people adopt less sedentary lifestyles and advocate for built environments that support walking and cycling. Project Active, in Palatine, is a pilot program designed to encourage individuals to convert car trips to walking or cycling ones. www.idph.state.il.us

Jeff Sunderlin, Program Administrator

217.785.1060

fax 217.785.2060

535 West Jefferson, Springfield, IL 62761

Consortium to Lower Obesity in Chicago Children (CLOCC)

CLOCC's mission is to confront the childhood obesity epidemic by promoting healthy and active lifestyles for children throughout the Chicago metropolitan area. Our work will foster and facilitate connections between childhood obesity prevention researchers, public health advocates and practitioners, and the children, families, and communities of Chicagoland. www.clocc.net

Adam Becker, PhD, MPH, Executive Director

abecker "at" childrensmemorial.org

312.573.7760

fax 312.573.7825

2300 Children's Plaza, Box #157 Chicago, IL 60614