Given the challenges and opportunities faced by the region, the need is greater than ever to create a vision for Northeastern Illinois.

With the metropolitan area growing both in population and land use, issues of urban growth and development are at center stage for Illinois residents and their elected leaders. There is a growing awareness that these issues need to be addressed at a regional level. Unbalanced growth is causing citizens and their leaders to look at ways to ensure that northeastern Illinois continues to be the kind of place where they want to live and work.

The Illinois General Assembly's Growth Task Force and the Illinois Tomorrow initiative have looked at growth from a state policy perspective. The six counties of northeastern Illinois, in particular, need a shared long-range vision and an understanding that public participation is essential for effective regional planning.

Dramatic shifts are underway in the six county area. An aging population and increased cultural diversity will create new demands on housing, transportation and natural resources. Traffic gridlock, airport congestion, threatened natural resources, a changing workforce and the lack of affordable housing near jobs challenge our region today. Innovation and change are possible, but no one city or county can meet this challenge alone.

The time to act is now.