The success of the Regional Growth Strategy will depend on active participation by local governments and other interests in the region. In the final analysis, they will implement the policy tools needed to shape the way the region grows. The Commission's Planning Committee has therefore authorized the formation of an areawide advisory process to work with NIPC in carrying out the Strategy project.

The advisors reflect the diversity of interests in the region with respect to growth and development. The Regional Growth Strategy assumes that the growing suburbs have an interest in the health of the older communities and vice versa. NIPC envisions the advisory process as a forum in which to conduct some of the negotiation on how to realize those interrelated interests. The advisors' primary responsibility is to advise the Commission, through the Planning Committee, on various aspects of the Regional Growth Strategy project. They may also be the source of independent actions consistent with the Strategy to be pursued by other entities.

The Planning Committee envisioned five general tasks for the advisors. Others may emerge as the Strategy project proceeds.

• Review the draft policy statement on the Regional Growth Strategy and recommend revisions to the Planning Committee. This statement provides overall direction to the project
• Review the policy tools referenced in the policy statement, recommend additions and/or deletions, and advise on priorities for their development
• Suggest specific actions needed to implement particular tools
• Recommend individuals or entities which should be involved in the detailed analysis of particular tools
• Recommend to the Commission a coordinated package of tools

The advisory process has two parts. The first is an Areawide Advisory Committee which meets periodically to pursue the above five tasks. The members are senior local government staff professionals with broad perspectives on regional development issues. They are employed by the following jurisdictions but were selected because of their ability to represent a larger constituency.

The municipalities of Aurora, Bellwood, Channahon, Chicago, Orland Park, and Park Forest; the counties of DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will; the Cook County Forest Preserve District; the Woodridge Park District; the Regional Transportation Authority; the Downers Grove Sanitary District; the Northwest Municipal Conference; and the Lake County Stormwater Management Agency.

Liaison representatives to the committee have been appointed by the Illinois Departments of Commerce and Community Affairs, Natural Resources, and Transportation; the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency; and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 5.

The Areawide Advisory Committee is augmented by a larger group which does not meet together but which is given regular opportunities to respond to study findings and proposals on a mail-out-and-back basis. Referred to as the Tier II advisors, this group includes each NIPC Commissioner and another individual designated by the Commissioner. Representatives of eighteen civic and other advocacy organizations with a history of involvement in regional issues have also been appointed to this group by the Planning Committee.

Last modified 7-10-98