Latest News
Keep reading for the latest APA-IL news. The APA-IL also shares the latest local and Illinois planning related news through
a private LinkedIn Group. All involved with urban planning in Illinois are welcome to join.
| 10/26/2026If you haven't voted yet, please help us improve the CMS bylaws with a few moments of your time. Read More |
| 10/26/2026Please join us as we partner with Elevate Chicago on Thursday to have a conversation about data centers. And the CMS Metra Crawl is back! All aboard on November 5th, as we explore downtowns on the UP-NW Metra line. Read More |
| 10/20/2026CM 1.5, 1.0 EquityJoin the APA-IL DEI Committee for an in-person Coffee Talk, exploring how centering community voices, expanding, economic, opportunity, and promoting equitable investment can create stronger, more vibrant neighborhoods, where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Read More |
| 10/19/2026Save the Date!We'll be back in beautiful Champaign-Urbana October 6-8, 2027. Read More |
| 10/09/2026APA-IL DEI Committee and DePaul University have partnered to honor Riley’s life and legacy. Donate by 11/12. APA-IL will double your impact up to $1500! Read More |
| 10/06/2026Join APA IL Emerging Planners for an evening of hot conversations while sharing your opinions on cities planning and experience as a planner. Read More |
| 10/01/2026Announced at the 2026 Awards Ceremony on September 30, 2026 in Evanston, IL. Read More |
| 09/29/2026from your friends at TeskaA list of go-to Evanston haunts, practical tips, and a little lore thanks to our friends at Teska. Read More |
| 09/24/2026Congratulations to our 2026 Project Awardees! Read More |
| 09/14/2026Congratulations to our 2027-28 Chapter, Chicago Metro Section, and Illinois State Section Officers. Read More |
| 08/24/2026"Missing middle housing" is all the rage. What is it, why do we want it, and how do we get it? Read More |
| 08/24/2026Tips for students, interns, and emerging professionals so you can make the most of your experience. Read More |
| 07/31/2026Planners gathered at CMAP in Chicago's Old Post Office for "Let’s Bake a Site Plan!", a hands-on workshop where they put pencil to paper to tackle real-world site design alongside experts from Ginkgo Planning & Design. Read More |
| 07/28/2026Trainers included Emily Egan, AICP and Andy Cross, AICP. Read More |
| 07/16/2026Read more to discover how planning for water can help Illinois communities save money, improve quality of life, and build resilience. Read More |
| 07/15/2026August 31: Deadline to register for the AICP exam. There are also so many more updates about the AICP Exam and CM credits. Catch up on the news from APA! Read More |
| 07/15/2026Get an early look at some of the important provisions, funding opportunities, and a general sense of what’s next and what this means for planners. Read More |
| 05/29/2026The annual bike tour featured the Granville Avenue Complete Streets project on 5/28/26. Read More |
| 05/20/2026There's still time to support HB 5081. HB 4948 passed 5/20/26! Read More |
| 05/16/2026The latest update from the Legislative Committee includes BUILD, budget, bills awaiting signatures + many bills that were under consideration. This link will be updated with the latest news if anything changes. Read More |
| 05/01/2026Highlights from the 2026 National Planning Conference. Read More |
| 04/18/2026Live virtual conference, April 16-17, 2025. Open to all!Join fellow Illinois planners for a virtual "camp" where you’ll earn “merit badges” (CM Credits) in practical urban planning skills and swap real-world stories around the campfire. Read More |
| 03/09/2026Give back to the profession! Read More |
| 03/09/2026Listen to the Only Planners in the Building podcast Episode 19 on your favorite app. Read More |
| 02/20/2026The event took place on 2/13 and was the best Planada yet! Read More |
| 02/08/2026What happens when four planning firms ditch the pitch and come together instead? Listen in as they share what actually works in the field, hard-won lessons, and how collaboration and healthy competition can (and should) coexist. Recorded 1/30/26 through the APA Chapter Webcast Series. Read More |
| 01/28/2026Get the report and learn how to use the report! Links to documents, websites and upcoming webinars. Read More |
| 12/19/2025for APA National members... Read More |
| 12/17/2025Get your questions answered. Connect with others. Open to members and non-members. Sept 9th is the next and last virtual event! Read More |
| 11/19/2025Inclusionary housing is moving beyond basic diversification to advance broader, equitable community outcomes. Read More |
| 08/05/2025The American Planning Association - Illinois Chapter (APA-IL) was proud to offer two (2) scholarships to attend the 2025 Spring Midwest Leadership Institute. MLI is a week long seminar to enhance leadership skills and further personal growth headed by former city administrators David Limardi and Bob Kiley in collaboration with organizational psychologist Dr. Daven Morrison. Read More |
| 07/09/2025As new recreational devices and trends continue to evolve, planners can help their municipality stay ahead of potential injury claims by leveraging the planning process. Read More |
| 07/02/2025Listen to the Only Planners in the Building podcast Episode 16 on your favorite app. Read More |
| 07/01/2025As new recreational devices and trends continue to evolve, planners can help their municipality stay ahead of potential injury claims by leveraging the planning process. Read More |
| 05/21/2025Students participating in the UIUC SPO 2025 Firm Crawl toured planning, architectural, and engineering firms throughout the day, making connections and learning about the profession in Chicago. Read More |
| 05/19/2025Discover how e-commerce is transforming cities and communities in unexpected ways. Read More |
| 01/30/2025A March 14th joint event with WP+D and APA-IL DEI Committee celebrating Women’s History Month! Read More |
| 01/20/2025What is a thoughtful planner to do? Read More |
| 09/22/2024When considering whether to—or how to—grow their local industrial base, municipalities can benefit from understanding several factors. Read More |
| 08/13/2024The case created broad speculation regarding local governments’ power to regulate homelessness. Read More |
| 08/08/2024Illinois Chapter list as of the June Assessment Cycle. Read More |
| 08/05/2024Yes, we're talking about our brand new, shiny, members-only website! Read More |
| 07/18/2024This article highlights new federal resources, such as the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program, available to help Illinois communities reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate future climate change impacts. Read More |
| 11/06/2023A campus of knowledge, a playground of ideas. The laughter and the hum of excitement have faded as the 2023 APA-IL State ... Read More |
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