Latest News

07/28/2026

7/9 Waukegan Plan Commissioner Training

Trainers included Emily Egan, AICP and Andy Cross, AICP.

07/28/2026

2026 APA-IL Elections Are Coming Aug. 5

Whitelist noreply@directvote.net so you are sure to receive the email ballot.

07/28/2026

Tomorrow: CMS Happy Hour @ Snorkelbox, Old Post Office

07/22/2026

Join your planning colleagues for the Danville Dans baseball game on 7/30

RSVP by noon on 7/29! All are welcome.

07/19/2026

Call for 2026 APA-IL Awards Program Nominations!

The APA-IL is now accepting nominations for our 2026 Awards Program! Each year, the Illinois Chapter of the American Planning Association recognizes the best in planning across Illinois, celebrating those that exemplify tremendous planning efforts and outstanding achievements in innovation.

07/16/2026

Watershed Plans: A Framework for Funding, Compliance, and Community Benefits

Read more to discover how planning for water can help Illinois communities save money, improve quality of life, and build resilience.

07/15/2026

July 2026 AICP Update

August 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!

07/15/2026

8/1 - Abstract submission deadline for special AI in Planning issue of JAPA.

This special issue seeks to bring together diverse perspectives on how AI may reshape planning theory, practice, governance, and professional institutions over the coming decade. APA encourages submissions from practitioner-academic collaborations, research grounded in direct engagement with planning agencies, professional orgs, or policy actors, and contributions from international scholars.

07/15/2026

Get Ready - NPC27 Call for Proposals and Reviewers

If you're a national member, you're invited to submit a proposal to be a speaker at the 2027 National Planning Conference in Houston, TX. You can also become a volunteer proposal reviewer. Session proposals due: 8/26; Mobile Workshop proposals due 9/23.

07/15/2026

21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is now law!

Get 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.

06/29/2026

2026–27 APA-IL Sponsorship Opportunities Now Available!

Annual sponsorship offers exclusive access to decision makers, for-profit and non-profit organizations, and planning professionals throughout the year.

06/23/2026

The CMS Bylaws are going to the Ballot

Check out the shiny new draft of the APA-CMS bylaws prior to the upcoming elections later this summer.

06/11/2026

APAIL26 Hotel Block Open -- Save the Date!

The 2026 State Conference is back at the Hilton Orrington / Evanston, better than ever! Let's celebrate how we are all "Connected Through Planning".

05/29/2026

No flats, just a wheel-y good time with the APA-CMS!

The annual bike tour featured the Granville Avenue Complete Streets project on 5/28/26.

05/20/2026

Legislative Alert: HB 4948 Passes! Support HB 5081 – Tools to Improve Speed Management and Transportation Safety

There's still time to support HB 5081. HB 4948 passed 5/20/26!

05/16/2026

2026 Legislative Update as of 6/8/2026

The 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.

05/01/2026

Illinois Members had a great time in Detroit!

Highlights from the 2026 National Planning Conference.

04/18/2026

Recordings available! 2026 APA-ISS Spring Planning Conference

Live 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.

04/14/2026

"Pathways to Planning" 2026 Career Webinar

Recording now available!

03/23/2026

APA-IL Celebrates 200th Plan Commissioner Training in Lombard

03/09/2026

Volunteers Needed for APA-IL Committees

Give back to the profession!

03/09/2026

Podcast Ep 19 - Ben LeRoy, AICP

Listen to the Only Planners in the Building podcast Episode 19 on your favorite app.

02/20/2026

2026 Hockey Night in Planada IX

The event took place on 2/13 and was the best Planada yet!

02/08/2026

Recording Available: Breaking Bread, Breaking Tradition: A Masterclass in Collaborative Planning

What 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.

01/28/2026

2026 Trend Report for Planners

Get the report and learn how to use the report! Links to documents, websites and upcoming webinars.

01/22/2026

One Path to AICP: APA's 2026 Changes

APA National Website Updates

for APA National members...

12/17/2025

2026 AICP Office Hours

Get your questions answered. Connect with others. Open to members and non-members. June 9th is the next event!

11/19/2025

Evolving Tools for Housing Equity & Innovation in Illinois Communities

Inclusionary housing is moving beyond basic diversification to advance broader, equitable community outcomes.

11/14/2025

2026 APA-IL Legislative Priorities - Approved!

10/13/2025

APA-IL's 2025 Service Award Winners!

Announced at the 2025 Awards Ceremony on Oct. 8, 2025 in Chicago.

09/25/2025

2025 APA-IL Project Award Winners Announced!

09/14/2025

Six Questions to Ask Before Developing Policies for Commercial Corridors

09/05/2025

CAUTION: Sophisticated Phishing/Fraud Attempt - Municipalities Be Aware!

08/27/2025

What kind of planner are you? Take the Buzz Feed Quiz!

08/17/2025

Planners in the Making in Normal, Illinois

Aspiring young urban planners in Normal, IL build a cardboard city with expertise from Town of Normal planners.

08/06/2025

Investing in Future Planners: APA-IL DEI Committee Joins CMAP’s FLIP Program to Inspire Youth in Urban Planning

08/05/2025

2025 APA-IL Leadership Scholarship Winners

The 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.

08/01/2025

Strong Attendance at River Forest Plan Commissioner Training – 7/31/25

07/09/2025

Planning for Parks and Recreation

As new recreational devices and trends continue to evolve, planners can help their municipality stay ahead of potential injury claims by leveraging the planning process.

07/06/2025

In Memoriam: Craig Hullinger

07/02/2025

Podcast Ep 16 - Parking, Persistence, and Pendletӧg: A Discussion with Jane Wilberding, AICP

Listen to the Only Planners in the Building podcast Episode 16 on your favorite app.

07/01/2025

Tort Immunity and Planning in the Age of E-Bikes and E-Scooters

As new recreational devices and trends continue to evolve, planners can help their municipality stay ahead of potential injury claims by leveraging the planning process.

05/21/2025

SPO 2025 Firm Crawl

Students 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.

05/19/2025

Implications of the Expansion of E-Commerce on Urban Development

Discover how e-commerce is transforming cities and communities in unexpected ways.

01/30/2025

A Conversation with Clare Killman: Gender-Supportive Allyship in Local Government

A March 14th joint event with WP+D and APA-IL DEI Committee celebrating Women’s History Month!

01/20/2025

Decarbonization for Planners

What is a thoughtful planner to do?

09/22/2024

Industrial is Hot: How your Municipality can Join the Party

When considering whether to—or how to—grow their local industrial base, municipalities can benefit from understanding several factors.

08/13/2024

City of Grants Pass v. Johnson - Planners Be Aware!

The case created broad speculation regarding local governments’ power to regulate homelessness.

08/08/2024

Congratulations to our new AICPs!

Illinois Chapter list as of the June Assessment Cycle.

08/06/2024

How to Plan for Federal Funding - Helpful Hints

08/05/2024

Members Only Exclusive Access! Learn More!

Yes, we're talking about our brand new, shiny, members-only website!

07/18/2024

Leveraging Federal Funding to Mitigate Climate Impacts in Illinois

This 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.