July - 2020

SOUTH SUBURBAN MAYORS & MANAGERS ASSOCIATION

RTA seeks public comment on new regional Framework for Transit Capital Investments

Jul 31, 2020

RTA seeks public comment on new regional Framework for Transit Capital Investments

Prepared by RTA staff in partnership with the CTA, Metra, and Pace, the draft framework is intended to improve transparency in how public transit projects are chosen and funded in Northeastern Illinois. The public comment period on the Investment Framework is open from Wednesday, July 15, 2020 to Friday, August 28, 2020, after which the RTA board will consider the new programming process for adoption at its September meeting. Comments can be submitted to Communications@RTAChi

Grant opportunity: Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program

Jul 31, 2020

Grant opportunity: Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program

Several changes have taken place since the last call for projects: Additional state funding is being set-aside for the ITEP program for projects in the categories of bike and pedestrian facilities as well as the conversion of abandoned railroad corridors to trails. Local agencies may be eligible for state funds to be used towards their match of federal funds. An Interactive GIS map will be used to determine the My Community Map score. Click here for more information, webinars

SPC News

Jul 31, 2020

SPC News

SPC Extends Type III Medium Duty Ambulance Contracts The Suburban Purchasing Cooperative (SPC) Governing Board has approved the second of four (4), one-year contract extensions on the 2021 Type III Medium Duty Ambulance (Contract #177) to both Foster Coach of Sterling and Fire Service, Inc. of Naperville. The contract runs from July 17, 2020 through July 16, 2021 and contains the following price increases:Foster CoachFire ServiceChassis20202021202020212022 Ford E-450 7.3 Lit

Member community spotlight: Tinley Park

Jul 30, 2020

Member community spotlight: Tinley Park

Mayor Vandenberg was elected as Tinley Park’s 26th mayor in April 2017 after serving for two years as a Village Trustee, where he oversaw the Planning and Zoning Committee. Jake is a lifelong resident of Tinley Park and a graduate of both St. George and Providence Catholic high schools. He resides in Tinley Park with his wife, Carrie and sons Oliver and Logan. He and his family are parishioners of St. Stephen Deacon and Martyr Church. Mayor Vandenberg is chief executive offic

US EPA announces new funding for water infrastructure projects

Sen. Sims announces $258 million in road projects for 17th District

Jul 29, 2020

Sen. Sims announces $258 million in road projects for 17th District

As a result of an infrastructure package backed by Senator Elgie R. Sims Jr. (D-Chicago), the 17th District will see $258 million in infrastructure projects during the six-year span of the plan, with $24 million in road improvements set to begin in the next year. “This is a meaningful investment to preserve local roads and bridges,” Sims said. “We are taking a responsible approach to not only address safety and traffic issues, but to prevent them before they arise.” The large

Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways (DOTH) seeks input on Pulaski Road Study

Jul 28, 2020

Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways (DOTH) seeks input on Pulaski Road Study

The study will develop proposed improvements based on stakeholders’ input and examine the impacts that the proposed improvements will have on the community and the environment. More information can be found on the Pulaski Road Corridor Study website: improvepulaskiroad.org. See the PDF survey announcement. It contains survey webpage information and a phone number (312-620-8385) for those unable to access the internet. Provide input on the Pulaski Road Phase I Study here by Au

Employment opportunity: SSMMA Finance Director

Jul 25, 2020

Employment opportunity: SSMMA Finance Director

The Finance Director will manage the organization’s financial operations, including oversight of accounts payable and receivable, budgeting, production of financial statements and reports, annual audits, monitoring expenditures according to budget allocations/appropriations, financial reporting for state, federal, and philanthropic grants, and advisement of the Executive Director on financial decisions. The Finance Director is expected to prepare and monitor the operating and

Work continues on county’s Lincoln Highway Industrial Corridor plan

Jul 24, 2020

Work continues on county’s Lincoln Highway Industrial Corridor plan

Launched in January 2017, the project looked into how industrially zoned sites in several towns, including Ford Heights, could be further developed for or by businesses dependent upon rail or truck resources. It identified and ranked six priority redevelopment sites. Paul Guequierre, director of communications for the National Association of Counties, said the organization’s judges were “impressed by the program’s focus on fostering regional growth…” Please click here to read

Matteson mayor says business is booming: ‘It’s a catalyst for more growth.’

Jul 22, 2020

Matteson mayor says business is booming: ‘It’s a catalyst for more growth.’

Matteson offers several examples of how buyers are shifting more toward e-commerce and away from visits to big-box retail stores. Target, Sam’s Club and Toys R Us stores in the village closed in recent years. The once-mighty Lincoln Mall retail center was demolished. But now Sam’s Club employs 400 people at an online fulfillment center in Matteson. Amazon is building a fulfillment center that will create about 1,000 new jobs. Two trucking companies that transport goods are bu

SPC News

Jul 17, 2020

SPC News

Al Warren Oil Co., Inc., Hammond, IN will handle all billing. The SPC contact for Al Warren Oil, Inc. is: Shaleen Okon | Sales Representative 1646 Summer Street | Hammond, IN 46320 | sokon@alwarrenoil.com<mailto:sokon@alwarrenoil.com> (312) 881-9324 Cell | (219) 228-5259 Fax Click here for more information about the Suburban Purchasing Cooperative or to view the catalog.

Member community spotlight: Burnham

Jul 16, 2020

Member community spotlight: Burnham

Mayor Robert Polk has been the village president of Burnham since 2005 and was the first African American man elected to a village government post there when he became a trustee in 2001. In 2012, he was honored by the Chicago Defender as one of its 50 “Men of Excellence” for contributions and giving back to the community and being a popular role model. Rich in natural assets, Burnham is home to the Burnham Prairie Nature Preserve, Burnham Woods Golf Course, Burnham Woods, Pow

Vertical farm Wilder Fields opening Calumet City location

Jul 16, 2020

Vertical farm Wilder Fields opening Calumet City location

Wilder Fields Founder Jake Counne /Image courtesy of Agriculture A vertical farm is coming to the south suburbs. The anchor of a Calumet City strip mall at 1717 East-West Road left five years ago. Now a local small business plans to turn this red store — green. “We’ll be growing a whole range of leafy green, many of which may be familiar to the consumer, many of which the consumer has never tasted,” Wilder Fields Founder Jake Counne said. “We’re really excited to blow people’

A year after elevated lead levels were detected, University Park residents still unable to consume w

Jul 14, 2020

A year after elevated lead levels were detected, University Park residents still unable to consume w

More than a year later, roughly 1,500 Aqua Illinois customers remain under the lead advisory and the company’s progress eradicating the contamination appears to have stalled. According to company data released Friday, elevated lead levels persist in 30% of the University Park homes where water was sampled last month — a proportion comparable to what was seen nine months ago…Please click here to read Zak Koeske’s story in the Tribune/Daily Southtown.

Grants awarded to Chicago Heights, Harvey and Park Forest for high-speed Internet access

Jul 13, 2020

Grants awarded to Chicago Heights, Harvey and Park Forest for high-speed Internet access

Faster internet access could soon come to students and families in the Park Forest-Chicago Heights School District 163 after $300,000 was awarded to the district in order to help them develop a plan to ensure access to high-speed internet across town. District 163 is one of 12 entities across the state to receive the $300,000 through the Illinois Connected Communities grant program. Nearby, the city of Harvey also received the grant money. Half of the money will come from sta

MPC offering short-term grant writing assistance for Section 319 and Green Infrastructure applicatio

Jul 7, 2020

MPC offering short-term grant writing assistance for Section 319 and Green Infrastructure applicatio

The Section 319(h) Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Financial Assistance Program supports projects that reduce loadings of pollutants such as suspended solids, phosphorus, or road salts. Projects which intercept runoff and reduce stormwater volumes can be eligible if they also trap pollutants. Application due: August 3 The Green Infrastructure Grant Opportunities (GIGO) Program funds projects to construct green stormwater infrastructure, such as bioswales, permeable alleys,

Jul 7, 2020

SSMMA seeks public comment on STP-L Call for Projects

SSMMA has released our Draft 2020 Call for Projects (CFP) lists for the Surface Transportation Program (STP-L) on July 7, 2020. The Public Comment period will run from July 7, 2020 to August 4, 2020 5pm CST. Comments and questions can be submitted to the Transportation Planner, Leslie Phemister, at leslie.phemister@ssmma.org. Here is the proposed Active and Contingency lists for the 2021-2025 SSMMA STP-L Program. STP Shared Fund The shared fund was established for the purpo

Harvey looks to transform famous Dixie Square Mall site

Member community spotlight: Sauk Village

Jul 1, 2020

Member community spotlight: Sauk Village

Sauk Village Mayor Derrick Burgess and Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle at the June 27 Unite Don’t Fight Ride/ Image courtesy of Facebook Sauk Village hosts Unite Don’t Fight Ride/Complete 2020 Census & Voter Awareness event A “Unite Don’t Fight” Ride kicked off in Sauk Village last weekend. More than 100 motorcycle riders from throughout the region participated in the event to help unite Southland communities, raise awareness in the communities to vote, and be counted