Convening the Region

One differentiating aspect of the Common Ground process is its highly participatory structure, having involved nearly 4,000 residents, elected officials and community leaders over the past three years. The project has also been supported by numerous sponsors, which have been critical to the creation of a 2040 Regional Framework Plan. Our partner organizations have been integral to ensuring that the plan incorporates the full spectrum of viewpoints in the region. We thank all of those listed below, as well as every single individual that has contributed to shaping this plan for the future.

Sponsor Organizations

Special thanks go to the Illinois Department of Transportation, the primary funder over the course of this multi-year project.

We also thank:

Chicago Community Trust
Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation
Grand Victoria Foundation
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
Illinois Department of Transportation
Nicor

Partner Organizations

We are grateful for our partnerships with a variety of organizations and would like to thank the following for their support:

• City of Chicago
• Cook County
• Du Page County
• Kane County
• County of Lake
• McHenry County
• Will County

• Chicago Area Transportation Study
• Chicago Transit Authority
• Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
• Illinois Department of Transportation
• Illinois State Toll Highway Authority
• Metra
• Pace
• Regional Transportation Authority

• Barrington Area Council of Governments
• DuKane Valley Council
• DuPage County Mayors and Managers Conference
• DuPage County Regional Planning Commission
• Kane County Council of Mayors
• Lake County Department of Planning
• Lake County Municipal League
• McHenry County Council of Mayors
• McHenry County Department of Planning and Development
• Metropolitan Mayors Caucus
• Northwest Municipal Conference
• Southwest Suburban Mayors and Managers Association
• Southwest Conference of Local Governments
• West Central Municipal League
• Will County Department of Land Use
• Will County Governmental League

• Campaign for Sensible Growth
• Center for Neighborhood Technology
• Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce
• Chicago Wilderness
• East West Corporate Corridor Association
• Joliet-Will County Center for Economic Development
• League of Women Voters
• Chicago Metropolis 2020
• Metropolitan Planning Council

• Chicago State University, Center for Urban Politics and Policy
• College of DuPage, Business and Professional Institute
• DePaul University, Egan Urban Center and Government Assistance Program
• Governors State University, South Metropolitan Leadership Center
• Illinois Consortium for Higher Education
• Loyola University, Center for Urban Research and Learning
• McHenry County College, Small Business Development Center
• Northern Illinois University, Center for Governmental Studies
• Northwestern University, Asset Based Community Development Center
• Oakton Community College
• Policy Research Action Group
• University of Illinois at Chicago