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The role of planning for
Illinois'
future will be the featured topic at a statewide planning
conference, and the attendance of five major
Illinois
leaders reinforces how important the topic is in today's economy.
"Partners in Planning," an initial conference co-sponsored by the
Campaign for Sensible Growth, Illinois Association of County Board
Members and Commissioners, Illinois Association of County Zoning
Officials, and the Illinois Association of Regional Councils, takes
place in Peoria today (Wednesday). The conference features experts
and leaders from throughout the state speaking about issues ranging
from sustainable development, zoning and economic development to
agricultural preservation and wind power.
Among the Illinois leaders confirmed as speakers are U.S. Rep. Ray
LaHood, R-Peoria; Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn; state Treasurer Judy Baar
Topinka; and state Reps. Ricca Slone, D-Peoria, and David Winters,
R-Rockford.
"Illinois' governmental leaders are attending the conference because
they realize the urgency of speaking about planning with public
officials throughout the state," noted Ronald Thomas, executive
director of the Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission, and
co-chair of the Campaign for Sensible Growth. "Well-thought-out
planning means counties and communities consider how to achieve
economic development and protect prairies, streams and farmland at
the same time."
Growth is no longer an issue only for those who live in highly
urbanized areas. Rural land conservation, the role of resource
conservation and development councils, and developing county
strategic plans are among the topics for the expected 200 attendees,
most of whom are from around the state, outside the northeastern
Illinois region.
Illinois political leaders who have confirmed to speak are concerned
about growth and investment in downstate and rural communities. Rep.
Slone is the sponsor of the Local Planning Technical Assistance Act,
which defines a comprehensive plan and anticipates state aid to
communities for planning. Rep. Winters, R-Rockford, is the sponsor
of the recently passed Local Legacy Act, which promotes cooperative
planning between counties and municipalities, with the goal of
protecting cultural, historic and natural resources. Illinois'
lieutenant governor heads up the state's Rivers Coordinating
Council.
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The final panel of the day deals with an issue in front of many, if
not most, Illinois counties: wind power. The session will be a forum
for stakeholders concerned with the objectives of utility-scale wind
facilities, with case studies of Bureau and Lee counties.
Other sessions include:
--“Zoning at Its Best,” which
looks at what can and cannot be done with county zoning and what to
do when county and municipal zoning collide.
--“Taking Back Our
Neighborhoods,” which focuses on investment in older neighborhoods
and revitalizing downtowns.
--“Ecotourism,” which
explores ecologically sustainable tourism, including the use of
conservation easements and the thriving Illinois wine industry.
--“Protecting Farmland,” which
examines the pressures of unwanted development.
The Campaign for Sensible Growth is an action-oriented coalition of
200 organizations working to promote economic competitiveness in the
northeastern Illinois region while protecting natural resources. The
statewide associations of county board members, zoning officials and
regional planning councils are the professional organizations for
elected and publicly appointed officials who are faced with planning
decision-making on a regular basis.
For more information about the conference, contact
Ellen Shubart
of Campaign for Sensible Growth at (312) 863-6009 or
Kelly Murray of the Illinois Association of County Board Members
at (217) 528-5331.
[News release]
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