Riley: Expand Public Accountability of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning

Measure requires consideration of state budget impact

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – To extend accountability and transparency to important policy making agencies, State Rep. Al Riley, D-Olympia Fields, advanced legislation through the House of Representatives requiring the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) to articulate the state budget implications of its annual plans.

CMAP is the official regional planning organization for northeastern Illinois and is responsible for preparing an annual report on the region’s progress toward addressing issues of transportation, housing, economic development, open space, the environment, and other quality of life issues. CMAP is funded primarily by federal, state and local taxpayer dollars.
“We must ensure that when CMAP compiles its annual report that the impact on the state budget is considered,” Riley said. “This legislation will further the public’s ability to scrutinize spending priorities on local initiatives, and will also provide
the Legislature an avenue to question whether proposed transit, land use and development plans are fair and equitable to the taxpayers.”
House Bill 3199, which passed the House unanimously, requires that within 30 days of the governor’s annual budget address to the General Assembly, CMAP must appear before the state Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA), and report on its annual plans’ impact upon the state budget.
“The long term implications of transportation and land use policy decisions not only impact specific geographic regions,
they have ripple effects throughout Illinois government,” Riley added. “By requiring the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning to have a public hearing before COFGA, we are taking another step toward increasing accountability of important public agencies and our tax dollars.”
For more information, please contact Riley’s constituent service office at (708) 799-4364.
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