Citizens' advisory committee to provide input to regional planning board

Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) is responsible for combined transportation and land-use planning in the region

CHICAGO, July 11, 2006 -- Thirty-four residents of the seven-county region were announced today as members of the Citizens' Advisory Committee of CMAP, the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning. 

CMAP was created in 2005 by the Regional Planning Act, passed unanimously by the Illinois General Assembly and signed into law by Governor Blagojevich with widespread support from the region's mayors.  The agency is responsible for the integrated planning of transportation and land use in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry and Will counties.  Its authorizing legislation called for the organization to "create a standing Citizens' Advisory Committee to provide continuous and balanced public representation in the development of regional plans and policies.”

"Formation of the Citizens' Advisory Committee is an important step toward increased public participation in our region's planning," said CMAP executive director Randy Blankenhorn.  "We were gratified by the response from more than 200 citizens willing to serve, and we intend to keep them all -- whether appointed to the committee or not -- engaged as CMAP develops its plans for the region.  As an organization, we are dedicated to incorporating residents' input to improve our planning processes and outcomes."

The CAC members are: