Metra Plans Service Enhancements as Ridership Increases After the Pandemic
With ridership increasing from pandemic lows, Metra will be adding service to all of its lines starting in July and will introduce enhanced pilot schedules on four lines with more off-peak options to meet the post-COVID needs of riders.
"We want to demonstrate that My Metra is about taking care of our riders. With this pilot program, we are testing schedules that have changed with our rider's changing needs. We think flexibility is the new currency in a post-pandemic economy", said Metra CEO Jim Derwinski.
The Metra Electric District, which services the south suburbs, will be one of the four lines with the enhanced schedule. The new pilot schedules will begin on July 12th on the UPN, BNSF, Metra Electric District, and the Rock Island District lines.
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Cook County Reveals $16.7 million Rehabilitation of Ford Heights' Affordable Housing Units |
The Housing Authority of Cook County wrapped up a round of affordable housing rehabilitation that has topped with much of the work being done in the Southland. Among these projects, the Vera L. Yates Homes in Ford Heights reconstructed 116 units that house almost 400 residents.
Cook County Board President, Toni Preckwinkle had the chance to see the new homes this month. “I saw this before we invested $16 million in it. So it’s quite a transformation”, said Preckwinkle.
This is the first rehabilitation project on the Yates Homes since 1967 and residents are appreciative of the upgrades and believe the homes will last for several decades.
Read more about the article here.
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Newly Elected Officials Workshop
SSMMA's Newly Elected Officials Workshop is a wrap, and by all accounts was a great success! All of the participating new and re-elected officials provided positive feedback, indicating that the information provided was invaluable and would serve them well in their roles as leaders of their community. Thank you to those that participated!
For those that were unable to attend, all information related to the workshop and the meeting's full recording have been added to our website, along with other valuable resources for all elected officials.
A special thank you again to our presenters Anthony Burton, Village Administrator of the Village of Matteson; David Niemeyer, Village Manager with the Village of Tinley Park; John Murphey, Attorney with Odelson, Sterk, Murphey, Frazier & McGrath, Ltd.; Comcast for their sponsorship of the workshop; and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) for their rain barrel prize giveaways.
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Congratulations to SSMMA's Planning Director Sarah Kobetis for earning her AICP Certification! |
The American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) credential is the only nationwide, independent verification of planners' qualifications, and indicates mastery of the principles, skills, knowledge, and experience determined by the American Planning Association to be essential for a professional planner.
Sarah has spent three of her seven years as a professional planner at SSMMA, beginning in 2016 as a Housing and Community Development Planner. After leaving in 2017, she returned to the association in 2019 as Planning Director.
She received her Masters in Community and Regional Planning from the University of Texas at Austin in 2014, with a specialization in historic preservation.
As Planning Director, she oversees the GIS Consortium and the Housing and Community Development Collaborative, as well as SSMMA's community outreach efforts.
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Bridge Phase Mitigation Information |
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- Effective June 11, 2021, Suburban Cook County has met Phase 5 guidelines including vaccination of at least 50 percent of residents ages 16 and older, and stable or declining COVID-19 metrics.
COVID-19 Housing Resources
Data Dashboard
The SSMMA COVID-19 Tracking Dashboard provides the latest information on vaccination plans, COVID-19 testing, and in-depth metrics and data for Cook and Will County.
- Find information on the latest Phase 5 information directly on the dashboard.
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Community Vaccination Information |
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Vaccine Lottery to Award $10 Million in Prizes & Scholarships under the Restore Illinois Plan. All Illinois residents who have received their first dose will be entered into the All In for the Win campaign.
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Cook County Announces Youth Day in Harvey to Promote Vaccinations on Saturday, June 19th
- Everyone 12+ is eligible to receive a vaccination; minors must be accompanied by an adult. Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson shots will be available.
- Six Flags tickets will be given to those who receive the vaccine.
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Find more information here.
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Upcoming Meetings and Events
Thursday, July 15 at 4:30pm - Little Calumet River Watershed Planning Council Meeting
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News from our Community Partners |
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The Chi-Cal Rivers Fund has $1.1 million in grant funding available for projects to restore the health, vitality and accessibility of the waterways in the Chicago and Calumet region by supporting green stormwater infrastructure, habitat enhancement, and public-use improvements. There will be a virtual workshop held on June 29th. Details about the opportunity and the previous recording can be found here.
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Cook County has announced its plan to further expand the Chicago Southland Fiber Network throughout the south suburbs as they work towards goals of advanced digital equity. Learn more.
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The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is accepting grant applications until July 30th. Local governments and organizations must address water quality issues related to nonpoint source pollution. Learn more.
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The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is asking local public agencies and emergency providers to complete a survey, to help reach a goal for zero fatalities on roadways. The survey also asks for locations and sites where a safety concern is present. IDOT will use the survey results and its existing crash data to produce a more complete set of information. The deadline for submission is June 18th. Learn more.
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The Chicagoland Regional College Program (CRCP) is offering a monthly stipend and paid tuition fees for college students who can work part-time at UPS and enroll in local colleges throughout the south suburbs. Learn more.
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SPC News
SPC Extends Fuel Contract
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The Suburban Purchasing Cooperative (SPC) Governing Board has approved the first of three, one-year contract extensions of the 2021 Gasoline (87, 89, & 92 Octane), Diesel Fuel, Ethanol 75 & 85, and B20 Bio Diesel Fuel (Contract #198) to Al Warren Oil Co., Inc. The contract extension runs from July 6, 2021, through July 5, 2022, and the SPC reserves the right to extend the contract for two additional one-year periods under the same terms and conditions of the original contract. For questions or additional information, please contact staff or Shaleen Okon, sokon@alwarrenoil.com, or cal 312-881-9324.
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Have something you'd like included in our next newsletter? Email it to news@ssmma.org.
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