CHICAGO—The Chicago Area Transportation Study (CATS) brings the update of the 2020 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) to conclusion with a public comment and review period and series of 5 public hearings held throughout northeastern Illinois.

According to federal law, the plan must be reviewed every three years. A triennial review ensures that the RTP continue to represent the region’s priorities and also that all major funding and growth projections continue to be valid. Since the initial adoption of the 2020 RTP in 1997, several major changes in state and federal transportation funding have taken place, including the passage of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21^st Century (TEA-21) and Illinois FIRST. The 2000 edition of the plan will reflect the changes in available transportation funding as well as any revisions of the region’s project priorities.

CATS has added some new components to the 2020 RTP. Among the key additions are sections on Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and high speed rail, and transportation services for seniors and people with disabilities. However, the majority of the plan focuses upon existing components: 80% of the RTP’s funds are earmarked for maintenance of the extensive highway and transit systems already on the ground.

In addition to the 2020 RTP update, CATS is releasing the FY 01-06 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and the Air Quality Conformity Analysis for public review.

The Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission (NIPC) will also participate in the hearings to discuss their revised Chicagoland 2020 population and employment forecasts.

CATS has established a 33-day public comment and review period that begins on Monday, August 7, and continues through 4:30 p.m. CST on Friday, September 8, with five public hearings to be held on the following:

• Tuesday, Aug. 22: Joliet City Council Chambers, 150 West Jefferson Street, Joliet IL;

• Wednesday, Aug. 23: Fox River Grove Village Hall (second floor meeting room), 305 Illinois Street, Fox River Grove IL; 

• Saturday, Aug. 26: CATS, 300 West Adams Street (second floor conference room), Chicago, IL;

• Tuesday, Aug. 29: Wheaton Village Hall Council Chambers, 303 West Wesley Street, Wheaton IL; 

• Thursday, Aug. 31: NIPC, 222 South Riverside Plaza (first floor chambers), Chicago IL; 

All four weekday hearings will begin at 4 p.m. with a 30-minute open house. From 4:30 to 5:00 questions will be taken and presentations given, and from 5:00 to 6:00 public testimony will be heard. 6:00 to 6:30 will see a repeat of questions and presentations and 6:30 to 8:00 a repeat of public testimony. On Saturday, August 26, the hearing will begin at 10 a.m. and end at 2 p.m., with the same schedule of activities.

Citizens can call the 24-hour CATS Meeting and Activity Hotline at (312)793-7818 or the CATS Communications Divisions at (312)793-3460 for information about all upcoming hearings and how to officially submit public comments. CATS meetings are also listed on the CATS website at www.catsmpo.com.

The Chicago Area Transportation Study is the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for northeastern Illinois, designated by state and local officials to carry out the urban transportation planning process for the region. The area covered by CATS includes all of Cook, DuPage, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties, plus a portion of Kendall county.