Broad, regional vision brings coveted planning honor to Will County for its Land Resource Management Plan
Many communities at Chicago's suburban fringe are grappling with phenomenal population growth. Will County's population grew by 40 percent between 1990 and 2000, presenting county and municipal officials with a host of issues: overtaxed infrastructure, rising demand for services, disappearing farmland and green space, strained tax bases, competition between municipalities and political conflicts over what growth should ultimately accomplish.
Will County walked headlong into these challenges when it began a decennial update of its Land Resource Management Plan in 2000. The resulting plan encourages high-quality growth in and around areas already served by infrastructure, while identifying crucial natural resources and open spaces that should be preserved before development encroaches. The plan emphasizes collaboration, and clearly identifies the roles both the County and municipalities will play in its implementation.
With the adoption of the Land Resource Management Plan, Will County has taken a significant step forward in advancing proactive planning in the Chicago region.
The Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) is proud to announce that the 2002 Daniel H. Burnham Award for Excellence in Planning has been awarded to Will County for its Land Resource Management Plan. "The selection committee was impressed with the dedicated effort of Will County to craft an inclusive plan that values collaboration and community input," said Lori Healey, of Perkins & Will, chair of the 2002 Burnham Award selection committee. "The plan has a solid empirical groundwork because they took the time to find out what would best serve the needs of the people of their area."
"I am extremely proud of our planning department for this wonderful accomplishment and award," said Will County Executive Joseph Mikan. "Special thanks are due Ron Grotovsky our Land Use Director."
Perkins & Will underwrote the 2002 Burnham Award for Excellence in Planning, which for the first time carries a $5,000 cash prize. Now in its 15th year, the Burnham Award recognizes planning efforts — whether in the private, civic or government arena — that raise both professional standards and our spirits as Chicagoans.
The Burnham Award will be presented Tuesday, June 25, 2002, at the Metropolitan Planning Council's Annual Luncheon Meeting at the Hilton Chicago and Towers. The meeting will feature gubernatorial candidates U.S. Rep. Rod Blagojevich and Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan presenting their visions for the state's role in tackling regional challenges.
Founded in 1934, MPC is a nonprofit, nonpartisan group of business and civic leaders committed to serving the public interest through the promotion and implementation of sensible planning and development policies necessary for a world-class Chicago region.