 Illinois Main Street has produced more than $675 million in private
investment in downtowns, along with $250 million spent on public
improvements since 1993. That means a net gain of more than 1,200
new businesses and 5,400 full-time jobs.Before the rally at the
state Capitol, Gov. Pat Quinn was honored with the "Champion of
Illinois Main Street" award. The designation recognizes his long
history of support for the program, both as governor and lieutenant
governor.
"Illinois Main Street represents the best of Illinois -- men and
women working together at the grass-roots level to make their
communities stronger, prouder and healthier," Quinn said. "I'm
pleased that I could help them as they help all of Illinois."
Illinois Main Street is part of a successful national movement to
revitalize America's traditional downtowns, neighborhood business
districts and urban corridors.
The state Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the
Illinois Historic Preservation Agency provide advice and expertise
to local volunteers who restore business districts, attracting new
shops and new customers. Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon serves as ambassador
for the program as she travels the state.
"The downtowns of Illinois communities are full of history. We
want to help them make even more history," said Amy Martin, director
of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. "Working together, we
can reinvigorate them while preserving their beauty and
architecture."
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Forty-four communities are part of Illinois Main Street, from
Waukegan in the north to Golconda in the south. Many are small
towns, but Main Street Illinois also includes cities like
Bloomington, Rock Island and two areas in Chicago.
"Downtowns and neighborhood business districts can account for
nearly one-third of a community's job and revenue sources. Downtowns
also define the local identity and 'sense of place,'" said Christina
Rogers, the Illinois Main Street coordinator.
The rally also included the lieutenant governor and Diana Kenney,
longtime executive director of the Crystal Lake Main Street program.
After the rally, local Main Street officials and volunteers met
with their legislators to discuss the program and urge continued
state support for economic development at the grass-roots level.
[Text from
Illinois Main
Street news release]
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