Metropolitan Planning Council

05/13/2026

Calling all water enthusiasts! Join our team as an Associate on our water team. For more info and the application, visit: https://bit.ly/49uC6pQ

05/12/2026

You're invited! Join MPC next Tuesday (May 19) for a conversation on how transit-oriented development can unlock economic growth, enhance walkability, lower transportation costs, and increase ridership across suburban communities. Drawing on lessons from peer regions, we’ll explore what it takes to create vibrant, transit-centered places.

This free in-person event will take place in Chicago and will feature Vicki Davis (Managing Partner at Urban Atlantic), Monte Anderson (President of Options Real Estate Investments Inc.), and Ignacio Montojo (Partner at HR&A Advisors), who will share insights from their experience shaping successful transit-oriented projects in their respective geographies. The discussion will be moderated by MPC Senior Director Audrey Wennink.

RSVP for free today: https://bit.ly/4typVQd

05/08/2026

Interested in improving our region's water system? Apply to join MPC as an Associate on our water team. Additional information and the application available here: https://bit.ly/49uC6pQ

Application deadline: May 22

05/05/2026

Join our team! We are hiring an Associate to support our water work. Learn about this role and apply here: https://bit.ly/49uC6pQ

03/27/2026

Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) Senior Manager Justin Williams was quoted in a recent WBEZChicago article about Illinois' lead service line replacement project and its potentioal to create 90,000 jobs. WBEZ promoted our collaborative report, "Leveraging Lead Service Line Replacement for Workforce Growth" that makes the assertion that Illinois has the rare opportunity to tackle two challenges at once: address its toxic legacy while laying the groundwork for a more inclusive economy. Read the full article here: https://bit.ly/4sIpLWM

02/26/2026

Illinois needs to replace up to 820,000 lead service lines—a $6+ billion infrastructure challenge and a public health imperative.

A new report developed by Current, Elevate Community Events, HIRE360, and MPC shows how Lead Service Line Replacement can support workforce opportunity, create apprenticeship pathways, and deliver long-term impact—particuluary in communities most affected by lead exposure.

Read the full report and recommendations here:

Lead service line replacement (LSLR) throughout Illinois offers a dual opportunity: protecting public health while creating job opportunities across a variety of industries. This report, prepared by MKM Consultants in collaboration with Metropolitan Planning Council, Current, Elevate, and HIRE360 pr...

01/23/2026

WE ARE HIRING! 🌟 Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) is an interdisciplinary organization with a small but nimble team and vast network of influence. We are looking for candidates who bring strong project management skills, experience with housing or community development issues, and a commitment to racial and economic justice.

Join our team of dedicated leaders who turn complex problems into lasting solutions. MPC is an equal opportunity employer offering a robust and competitive compensation package. ➡️ APPLICATION DEADLINE: Friday, February 13, 2026, 4:00 PM CST: https://ow.ly/6uhH50Y1NA9

12/16/2025

Today, Illinois took a historic step to advance reliability, expand access, improve connectivity, and strengthen our transit system!

Governor Pritzker stated, “The Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) Act is designed to modernize Illinois’ transit systems—from the far northern reaches of our state, to East and West Central Illinois, to Southern Illinois... we are bolstering operations and upgrading trains, tracks, and buses, and we’re doing it in the most responsible way, with no new statewide taxes. For families, workers, businesses, schoolchildren, and visitors, this is a once in a generation investment that will benefit everyone, especially the overall Illinois economy. We need to continue pushing forward until Illinois truly has the best transit system in the nation, the one our riders need and deserve.”

MPC Senior Director Audrey Wennink, along with other advocates and partners from the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition (ICJC), watched on as Governor Pritzker signed the Act into law today. Continued congratulations to the hardworking, tenacious staff at MPC (especially Thomas Bamonte), Active Transportation Alliance, Illinois Environmental Council, Center for Neighborhood Technology, and Cook County. Congratulations, as well, to the passionate and knowledgeable legislative champions who worked on this issue day and night for years: Senator Villivalam (D-8), Representative Eva-Dina Delgado (D-3), and Representative Kam Buckner (D-26). Onward!

Active Transportation Alliance The Illinois Environmental Council Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT)

12/04/2025

STAFF SPOTLIGHT: 🌟 THOMAS BAMONTE 🌟 Get to know MPC Senior Advisor Thomas Bamonte below!

How long have you been at MPC❓ ➡️ I have been at MPC for 2.5 years (started August 2023).

Which MPC teams or projects do you work on❓ ➡️ Transportation

Share any (associate) boards, steering committees, task forces, coalitions, and volunteer roles you take on ❗ ➡️ I've recently adopted two barren bumpouts at an intersection near my home and turned them into little community gardens.

Where do you call home ❓ ➡️ Raised in rural Ohio; Chicago is home.

What do you love most about our region ❓ ➡️ I love this region because it's not Ohio; but seriously, the variety and energy of the people in this region make it special.

Who or what inspires you ❓ ➡️ The example of my parents, who both retired early so they could devote their time and energy to volunteer work for many years.

What keeps you motivated in your work ❓ ➡️ MPC colleagues who are thoughtful, creative, and inquisitive.

What's one of your favorite local restaurants or cafes? What do you order there ❓ ➡️ Ann's Ukranian Bakery & Grocery on Chicago Avenue. I've tried most everything. All good.

12/02/2025

STAFF SPOTLIGHT: 🌟 STEVEN QUISPE 🌟 Get to know MPC Development Director Steven Quispe below!

How long have you been at MPC❓ ➡️ I have been at MPC for 2.5 years.

Which MPC teams or projects do you work on❓ ➡️ I lead the Development team, aka The MPC Dev Divas.

Share any (associate) boards, steering committees, task forces, coalitions, and volunteer roles you take on ❗ ➡️ I previously served as the Chair of the Housing Committee of North River Commission, the community and economic development organization serving Albany Park, Irving Park, and North Park. I regularly participate in Chicago Mobility Collaborative gatherings and am a member of the CTA Rider Lab. I also recently became president of my HOA, lol.

Where do you call home ❓ ➡️ New York City is my childhood home, but Chicago has become my adulthood home. I’ve been living in Chicago for over 12 years now!

What do you love most about our region ❓ ➡️ Chicago is known to be a city of neighborhoods, and I truly appreciate how distinct the neighborhoods can be from one another. I love the strong sense of community and pride each neighborhood has and that of the City overall. There’s a place for everyone. Also, let’s be real, Chicago has one of the most iconic flags.

What's something that most people don't know about you ❓ ➡️ I completed junior year of high school and some college in France, and speak French fluently as a result. That said, despite earning a bachelor’s degree from UChicago, I technically have neither a high school diploma nor GED.
Also, I drove the E train of the NYC Subway in midtown Manhattan as a child.

What keeps you motivated in your work ❓ ➡️ Building and cultivating relationships with MPC stakeholders. Whether they are program partners, donors/funders, members of our key stakeholder groups, or fellow colleagues, I greatly enjoy connecting with people and getting to know their stories.

What's one of your favorite local restaurants or cafes? What do you order there ❓ ➡️ Steak and Egg Sandwich with an iced Café con Leche from Sissy’s Sandwich. Krapow Moo Krob from Chim Thai Cuisine.