Former BNSF Railroad Improvements CAG Application - Little Village

The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) is inviting you to submit an application to become a member of the Community Advisory Group (CAG) for the Former BNSF Railroad Improvements project which aims to reimagine how the old industrial railway can better serve the community.

The goal of this study is to identify potential opportunities for using the space along the abandoned Burlington Northern Santa Fe railway right-of-way from Western Avenue & Blue Island Avenue and 32nd Street & Central Park Avenue in Little Village.

The CAG is a group of volunteer community members that includes study area residents, local organizations, and business and property owners who represent a broad range of interests. Throughout the study, this working group will provide insights, discuss goals, and find opportunities for improvements as they pertain to the study area.

Please share this application with other individuals or organizations in your community who may be willing and able to commit to participating on the CAG.

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* 1. Contact Information

First and Last Name *

Mailing Address *

City/State/Zip Code

Email Address *

Phone Number *

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* 2. What is your preferred method of contact?

Phone

Mail

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* 3. CAG meetings are anticipated to be held in-person and during the weekday. Which time slot typically works best for you?

Morning (10am - 12pm)

Afternoon (2pm - 4pm)

Evening (6pm - 8pm)

Anytime

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* 4. What is your connection to the community?

Resident

Business/Property owner who lives within the community

Business/property owner who does not live within the community

Employed within the community

Customer or visitor to the community

Student

Other (please specify)

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* 5. What are your interest areas?

Active transportation

Public art, programming and aesthetics

Recreation

Community preservation

Community cohesion

Socio-economics

Pedestrian experience

Other (please specify)

CAG Responsibilities

Please read and check each box to confirm your understanding of the following responsibilities that are required of all CAG members.

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* 6. If I am selected to be a member of the CAG, I understand that it is my responsibility:

To attend and be on time to all CAG meetings. This may include weekday meetings that occur during business hours.

To stay well informed of study issues. This may include reviewing informational materials between CAG meetings.

To assist in planning efforts related to proposed improvements within the study area.

To create awareness of the study within the community and to promote open communication within the group.

To provide two-way communication between the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT), who is conducting the study, and stakeholders by sharing stakeholder interests and concerns.

To be willing to step down from the CAG or send a representative in my place if I am unable to fulfill my responsibilities to the CAG and CDOT in a timely manner.

CAG Ground Rules

Please read and check each box to confirm your understanding of the following ground rules that will be used to form the basis for respectful interaction of all parties involved in the stakeholder process.

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* 7. If I am selected to be a member of the CAG, I understand that:

Input from all participants in the process is valued and considered.

All participants must keep an open mind and participate openly, honestly, and respectfully.

All participants should work collaboratively and cooperatively to seek a general understanding of agreement.

A general understanding of agreement is “when a majority of the stakeholders agrees on a particular issue, while the remainder of stakeholders agrees its input has been heard and duly considered and that the process as a whole was fair.”

A summarized report will be made available on the study website.

CDOT will serve as the lead agency and make final study decisions.

Thank you for your interest in joining the CAG.

CDOT strives to establish a balanced, inclusive CAG whose members reflect a broad range of community stakeholder interests and who are committed to consistent and full participation.