 Kane County 2040 Green Infrastructure Plan adopted by County Board
The Kane County Board unanimously adopted the Kane County 2040 Green  Infrastructure Plan on December 10th, marking the completion of a planning process that began in early 2012. With the support of the Board and Energy and Environmental Committee, the Plan was undertaken by the Planning Division with assistance from the Chicago Wilderness and Geosyntec Consultants. Valuable feedback was received from the Kane County Planning Cooperative.
The Plan and associated map establish the county's existing network of natural resources and can be used as a tool to enhance and expand the network. The Plan promotes the use of green infrastructure best management practices and incorporating green infrastructure considerations in land use decision-making.
The ultimate goal of the Plan is to lay the groundwork for green infrastructure planning at the regional, community, neighborhood, and site levels, as well as to serve as a starting point for Kane's communities to do their own green infrastructure planning.
View the adopted Plan here!
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Kane County Health Department receives accreditation
First county in Illinois to be accredited
The Kane County Health Department has received national public health department five-year accreditation status through the Public Health Accreditation  Board (PHAB). KCHD is the first county health department in Illinois to be awarded this status, and is one of only 22 accredited health departments in the national, since the PHAB program launched in September 2011.
To receive accreditation, the Health Department underwent a rigorous peer-reviewed process to ensure it meets or exceeds a set of quality standards and measures. Benefits of accreditation include:
- Increased credibility, accountability, and visibility
- Valuable, measurable feedback to continuously improve the quality of work
- Evidence that public dollars are being spend on effective and useful programs
- Enhanced services that lead to healthier people and communities
- Possible funding advantages
Click
to learn more about the Health Department's accreditation!
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Call for Projects!
Health Impact Assessment
County receives LTA grant to perform a HIA for a local municipality
Kane County has been awarded a 2014 Local Technical Assistance (LTA) grant from the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) to prepare a health impact assessment (HIA) for a Kane County municipality! Kane County will partner with CMAP to perform the HIA, while also training CMAP staff in the HIA process. When finished, the HIA will serve as an example for the Chicago region.
HIA is an emerging planning tool used to evaluate how a plan, program, or policy will affect the overall health of a population. An HIA is designed to inform policy makers
before a plan, program, or policy is adopted. The topic of study selected by the County and CMAP will be a municipal plan, program, or policy that directly implements CMAP's GO TO 2040 Plan and the Kane County 2040 Plan.
Interested in utilizing HIA in your community? Please contact KC Development & Community Services Director Mark VanKerkhoff
(630)232-3451
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| Safe Routes to School Call for Projects
New round of funding available through IDOT
The Illinois Department of Transportation has announced a new Safe Routes to School (SRTS) application cycle for 2013-2014. IDOT is seeking proposals for projects initiated in FY2014 and FY2015. The SRTS program supports projects and programs that enable and encourage walking and biking to and from school. Selected projects will be funded 80% by federal funds and 20% by local match.
Learn more and apply here. Contact KKCOM staff here
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City of Aurora seeks buyer for historic "Octagon House"
City will sell for $1 in exchange for rehabilitation
The City of Aurora is seeking a buyer for the historic "Octagon House" located at 83 North Avenue in Aurora. The City is offering this unique property for just $1 to a developer or builder who agrees to complete a historically sensitive rehabilitation of the building.
This rare house was constructed around 1870 and is a locally designated historic landmark. It may be eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
Interested in this exciting opportunity? Contact Manager of Neighborhood Redevelopment at the City of Aurora, Jeff McLaughlin (630) 256-332
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 New blog posts on Food & Farm- Kane County! Check out new posts on Food & Farms- Kane County, our new blog about local foods and farming in the county. We've also created a page on the blog dedicated to Growing for Kane.
As always, we welcome guest writers! Those working in agriculture and/or local foods are welcome to contribute content anytime. Contact Ellen Johnson if interested. |
