NIPC Uses Latest Technology to Spur Citizen Involvement

The Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission (NIPC) unveils a dramatic, new public participation process that will affect how more than $100 billion of public money will be spent over the next 50 years.

At a news conference on Thursday, January 18, 2001 at 1 p.m., NIPC kicks off "Common Ground: A Blueprint for Regional Action," its innovative citizen engagement process to develop a new Comprehensive General Plan for the 6 counties of northeastern Illinois. The news conference will be held at the NIPC offices.

"Common Ground" will use the latest technology to bring together hundreds of community leaders and thousands of area residents to agree on a shared vision for the future. Together, community leaders and citizens will develop common goals for the region, identify common issues and concerns, and make commitments to each other to address them.

"Common Ground" will also provide key input to the Regional Transportation Plan for 2030 and keep the public involved in major regional issues and decision-making in the future.

According to Commission President Herb Schumann, the Commission is enthusiastic and committed to creating a new regional plan and the process that NIPC is using. "We need a plan that begins in our local communities and creates an exciting and compelling vision for the region. Today’s technology gives NIPC the chance to involve the many communities and their citizens from the beginning in a way that fosters discussion not just with planners but also among themselves."

NIPC Executive Director Ronald L. Thomas has created similar award-winning programs in other cities, "This is the way democracy is supposed to function," he says, "engaging citizens in real dialogue and real decision-making."

NIPC’s initiative represents an unprecedented cooperative effort among a wide range of elected officials, civic organizations, and governmental agencies. It is being undertaken in partnership with the Metropolitan Mayors’ Caucus and is endorsed by NIPC’s Interagency Agreement partners; the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Regional Transportation Authority, and the Chicago Area Transportation Study. The effort is also supported by the Metropolitan Planning Council, Chicago Metropolis 2020, and the Campaign for Sensible Growth, among many others.

For more information, please contact Alice Kaderlan, Director of Communications and Public Affairs, (312) 454-0401x707, kaderlan@nipc.org.

For more on Common Ground: A Blueprint for Regional Action, including the dates for upcoming leadership workshops, please click here.

The Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission was created by the Illinois Legislature to undertake comprehensive planning for the six-county metropolitan area. NIPC also provides technical and research assistance and reviews state and federal grant requests for local governments.

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