The development of the 2040 Regional Framework Plan was based on the foundation work of creating a regional vision and broad planning goals. The 52 goals, listed below, were finalized in March 2003 following more than 20 goals-development workshops. They were consolidated into five core themes to summarize the main issues that participants wanted addressed.

At each of the hands-on cluster workshops held in 2004, participants translated these goals into physical maps via the “Paint the Region” exercise. Participants were provided the goals prior to attending the cluster meetings and asked to keep these goals at the forefront during their discussions.

Common Ground Core Themes for the 2040 Regional Framework Plan:

Northeastern Illinois will be Globally Competitive The region will have an internationally competitive economy, supported by a diversity of businesses and workers with the skills, tools and infrastructure needed to succeed. Jobs and business opportunities will be equitably distributed throughout the region.

Northeastern Illinois will be a region of Livable Communities The region will be characterized by communities with diverse populations, accessibility to jobs, pedestrian-friendly residential and commercial areas, and economically diverse housing stocks. All the region's residents will have access to high-quality open space and recreation opportunities, convenient public transportation, and excellent, equitable schools, health care, social services, and cultural amenities.

Northeastern Illinois will be known for its Healthy Natural Environment The quality of the region's air, water, land, and biotic resources will be preserved and enhanced by public and private action and by an environmentally literate populace.

Northeastern Illinois will build on the Diversity of its People The region will view its racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity as an asset and will be characterized by inclusive communities and neighborhoods and by equity in the distribution of opportunities and resources.

Northeastern Illinois will be Governed Collaboratively The public's business will be done by governments which cooperate effectively and with widespread public involvement

Common Ground Regional Goals for 2040

Access to Education: Quality education provided in formats appropriate to a wide variety of learning styles and situations, will be readily accessible and affordable for youth and adults in all parts of the region.

Accessibility of Arts and Culture: Opportunities to engage the arts, culture, and science in a variety of forms and institutional venues will be supported, accessible, and affordable throughout the region.

Air Quality: The region will enjoy healthy clean air which no longer threatens those at-risk for respiratory ailments.

Balanced Economy and Environment: Public policy and civic action will recognize that economic development and environmental stewardship are mutually attainable and beneficial to all, and that the region's high-quality environment has economic value and is a competitive advantage

Balanced Growth: The benefits of economic growth in the region will be balanced between mature and developing communities. This will be achieved using strategies which are permissive and encouraging.

Biodiversity and Natural Communities: Biodiverse natural communities will thrive in the region's natural areas, which will be protected and enhanced by public and private action to increase the acreage of natural resource lands and to restore habitats supportive of native species, particularly those which are threatened or endangered.

Business Attraction and Retention: The region's economic base will be continually strengthened and diversified through the attraction and creation of new businesses and the retention and expansion of existing businesses.

Civic Involvement: Along with the decision-making responsibilities of elected officials, broadly based public participation will be a regular part of the formation of policies and programs at all levels of governance. Technology in metropolitan and subregional networks will give all residents access to information and policy development.

Community Economic Development: The growing number and wide variety of businesses in the region will include many which are community-based, locally-owned, or actively engaged with the communities in which they operate. The region's financial institutions, economic development organizations, and governments will encourage entrepreneurship and support locally-owned businesses and franchises committed to the communities they serve.

Cultural Diversity: By 2030 neighborhoods and communities throughout the region will respect cultural and social diversity.

Economic Development: The region with businesses in many economic sectors and strong clusters in strategic industries, will maintain its dominant position in the Midwestern and national economies.

Education Funding: Funding of the region's educational system will ensure the equitable distribution of quality education.

Energy: The region will consume less energy, increase the efficiency of its energy use, ensure a sufficient supply of affordable energy, and explore alternative sources of energy; and will do all this in a clean and renewable manner that protects human health and the environment.

Environmental Education: The region's citizens will be environmentally literate, aware of and educated on environmental issues in order to sustain and protect natural resources. The region will be a model world-class center for environmental learning and program development.

Environmental Justice: All people and all places in the region will benefit from the interaction of economic development, social development and environmental protection.

Environmental Protection: The quality of the region's air, water, land, and biotic resources will be improved through regionwide planning, coordination, regulation, and increased use of renewable resources.

Equity in Law Enforcement: The region will have a system of justice and law enforcement that provides equal and fair treatment to all.

Existing Transportation: Improved movement of people and goods will be provided for by maintaining and enhancing the existing multi-model transportation system and by facilitating better connections.

Expanded Public Transportation: The region will have an integrated public transportation system, supported by land management policies, which provides convenient, affordable service throughout the region such that any trip in the region can be made on public transit.

Farmland Preservation: Preservation of prime farmland and environmentally sound agriculture practices will contribute to the protection of the region's soil and water resources and to sustainable development patterns in rural and suburban communities.

Freight Transportation: The regional transportation system will provide for the efficient movement of freight by all modes.

Global Competitiveness: Business, labor, and government will work through partnerships and strategic alliances to position northeastern Illinois as one of the world's top ten exporting regions.

Health Care: Quality affordable health care will be accessible to all in the region. People throughout the region will have easy access to and incentives to participate in programs and activities that enable them to take greater responsibility for their own health and wellness.

Historic Preservation: The region will be dedicated to preserving and creating awareness of our history by maintaining the integrity of historic structures, landmarks, and heritage areas.

Housing Affordability: Diverse types of affordable housing, readily accessible to jobs and public transportation, will be located in communities throughout the region to enhance our economic and social viability.

Infrastructure: Ongoing and ample investment in the region's built infrastructure will support economic development and community vitality and protect the region's natural resources.

Intergovernmental Cooperation: Governments at all levels will coordinate their actions and share resources to equitably meet community needs for transportation, infrastructure, housing, economic development, education, open space, and land use management.

Inter-regional Transportation: The region will be known for its accessibility to national and international markets through the commercial aviation, interstate highway, freight rail, and high-speed passenger rail systems. The local transportation network will support and link these national systems.

Jobs: The region will retain and create jobs in sufficient numbers and at a variety of levels through which individuals can achieve financial independence.

Jobs and Housing: Affordable, high-quality housing will be close and convenient to jobs and neighborhood amenities, and both jobs and affordable housing will be equitably distributed across the region.

Lake Michigan: Working with other Great Lakes states and provinces, the region will preserve the integrity of Lake Michigan as a sustainable source of water and as an environmental, recreational, and economic resource.

Livable Communities: The region will be characterized by interconnected, "livable" communities that have diverse populations, accessibility to jobs, pedestrian-friendly residential and commercial areas, and economically diverse housing stocks. They will have high-quality open space and recreation opportunities, convenient public transportation, and excellent, equitable schools, health care, social services, and cultural amenities.

Open Space: The region will achieve a network of open space, farmland, greenways, and waterways that protects natural resources, promotes biodiversity, provides equitable access to recreation, and shapes regional landscapes and identity.

Planning: Governments at all levels will respond effectively to the needs of diverse communities through on-going planning which is comprehensive, coordinated, region-oriented, equitable, and based on public input, with regular evaluation of outcomes and adjustment of goals and plans.

Public Safety and Security: All populations will enjoy safe and secure communities achieved through increased awareness and involvement of residents in community affairs and neighborhood policing systems. Children and youth will be secure from the effects of crime and drug use.

Public Transportation and Environment: The region will utilize public transit extensively, maximizing its environmental benefits while providing alternative modes of travel for all residents. The transit system will be attractive, economical, accessible, and safe, and the transit network will be seamless among carriers. Transit and land use planning will be closely coordinated.

Quality of Life: The region will have an overall quality of life which will distinguish it as one of the premier regions in the world in which to live, work or visit.

Racial and Ethnic Diversity: The region will view its racial and ethnic diversity as an asset and will be characterized by inclusive communities and neighborhoods and by equitable access to and allocation of opportunities and resources. Community deliberative processes will be fostered as means of increased understanding and acceptance of diversity.

Recreation: A variety of recreational spaces and facilities will be available and accessible to all citizens, serving a diversity of ages, interests, cultures and other groups in our region.

Redevelopment: Public and private investment in homes, retail and other businesses, infrastructure, and people will lead to sustainable prosperity in previously disinvested communities. This will be accomplished with minimal displacement of community residents.

Seniors: Public policy and civic action across the region will recognize and be responsive to the needs of an aging population that is increasing and will engage the assets which seniors bring to the community.

Social Services: High-quality and affordable human and social services will be readily available and accessible in communities throughout the region for persons in need

Stormwater: The region's stormwater resources will be managed through regionwide open space, watershed, and aquifer planning to promote natural stormwater drainage, storage capacity, and groundwater recharge.

Support for Agriculture: Productive farmland will remain in the regional landscape, with support from commercial and governmental activities, providing opportunity for farmers and farm products to be accessible and contribute value to the region's residents and economy.

Taxation: The revenue system will permit all levels of government to generate revenues adequate to provide necessary services without excessive disparities as a result of development patterns.

Technology and Telecommunications: The region will be a leader in providing an advanced and diverse technology and telecommunications infrastructure that is effective, efficient, and accessible to all residents for region-wide equitable economic development. Technological innovation will support the region's leading positions in manufacturing, agriculture, biotechnology, and workforce education.

Transportation and Development: Planning for transportation and for economic and community development will be fully integrated so that people will have choices among various modes of transportation and among various community types including public transit-linked and pedestrian-centered communities as well as highway-oriented development.

Transportation Funding: The region will secure sufficient funds to build a multi-modal transportation system which expands transportation choice locally and throughout the region and strengthens the region's position in the national and international economies.

Water Quality: The quality of all the region's lakes, rivers, and streams will be improved, and many water bodies will support diverse natural communities and human recreation.

Water Supply: A water supply system including conservation measures will assure an abundant, sustainable supply of high-quality water to support the region's population, economy, and natural systems into the future.

Workforce Education: Opportunities and resources for basic and advanced education, skills development, and life-long learning will be available to expand and diversify the region's labor populations through a variety of institutions and learning technologies.

Youth: Participation of young people of all backgrounds in community activities, both formal and informal, will expand throughout the region. Opportunities for all young people in education, employment, recreation, and human and social services will be increased.