RTA Community Planning program Call for Projects open now, includes new People Over Parking implementation category

The RTA Community Planning program, in partnership with the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning’s (CMAP) Technical Assistance program, is now accepting applications through April 17, 2026, for funding and technical assistance that helps local governments create sustainable, equitable, walkable, and transit-friendly communities.

Communities can apply online for technical assistance on projects similar to those that have been completed in the past through the Community Planning program, including equitable transit-oriented development plans, transit corridor plans, neighborhood access to transit improvement plans, and developer dialogues.

A new project category added this year will help municipalities update transit-area parking and zoning regulations to comply with the People Over Parking Act, which takes effect as part of the NITA Act on June 1, 2026. The law eliminates minimum off-street automobile parking requirements for most new development located within one-half mile of a transit hub or one-eighth mile of a qualifying high-frequency transit corridor.

In addition to parking, the RTA will support municipalities in updating other sections of their code, creating development standards and review processes that make investment more attractive to potential developers, business owners, and residents seeking to improve their property. Project scopes may include an assessment of current regulations and existing conditions and result in a revised parking ordinance, zoning ordinance, subdivision ordinance, unified development ordinance, overlay district, or other regulations. Projects selected in this category will go through an expedited project selection and award process so that work can begin as quickly as possible given the effective date of the People Over Parking Act.

If you are unsure if areas of your community are impacted by the People Over Parking Act, please reach out to RTA Principal Planner Alex Waltz at alex.waltz@rtachicago.org.

Attend a virtual Open House to learn more

RTA and CMAP staff are offering two virtual Open House sessions during which applicants can ask questions about the application process, about specific project ideas, and anything else related to the Call for Projects. Potential applicants can participate at any time during the Open House sessions—at the beginning, at the end, or any time in between—on the following dates:

Thursday, April 2, 2026 — 9:30–10:30 a.m. Register here.

Wednesday, April 8, 2026 — 1:30–2:30 p.m. Register here.