FAQs

The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) is the regional planning agency for northeastern Illinois, the third largest metropolitan region in the United States.

CMAP serves seven counties, 284 municipalities, and more than 1,200 units of government. Established in 2005, CMAP helps address regional land use and transportation challenges, and coordinates comprehensive planning to improve quality of life throughout northeastern Illinois.

CMAP and its partners continually work to implement ON TO 2050, the long-range plan for northeastern Illinois, carrying through polices and strategies that address transportation, housing, economic development, open space, the environment, and other quality-of-life issues. Visit CMAP's website to learn more.

Established in 2010, the Technical Assistance program allows CMAP to partner with communities throughout northeastern Illinois and work with them to develop and implement planning projects that address local needs and advance the principles of ON TO 2050.

The Technical Assistance program has funded more than 300 planning projects, helping communities build capacity, engage underrepresented groups, develop solutions to difficult challenges, and create connections to implementing agencies and funding opportunities.

A Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) typically is funded through a combination of sources. These sources can include government grants, bond proceeds, dedicated taxes or fees, and general fund revenues. The mix of sources used to fund a CIP depend on the size and scope of the projects identified in the plan.

A CIP guides long-term infrastructure planning for a municipality. The Village of Burnham's CIP will outline proposed capital projects and investments that it intends to undertake over a specific period — typically five to 10 years.

A CIP helps frame a municipality's decision-making and resource allocation to ensure capital investments align with its strategic goals and priorities.