"This is an important opportunity for individuals from across the greater Chicago area to join together and be heard through the RPB," said Elliott Hartstein, chair of the board's Public Participation committee and mayor of Buffalo Grove. "The new board's authorizing legislation specifies for creation of the CAC to ensure the broadest possible public input. In forming that committee, we will give preference to individual residents representative of the region's diversity and geography, as opposed to representatives of particular organizations. There will, however, be other opportunities for interest groups or advocacy organizations to share their concerns and ideas with the Board on an ongoing basis. Individual applicants not selected for the CAC will also have other opportunities to participate."

On August 8, 2005, Governor Blagojevich signed into law Public Act 95-510, legislation that had unanimously passed both houses of the Illinois General Assembly. The law established the Regional Planning Board to consolidate CATS (Chicago Area Transportation Study) and NIPC (Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission) into a single organization that will help the region speak with one voice on matters of transportation and land use. The legislation states that the Board shall "create a standing Citizens' Advisory Committee to provide continuous and balanced public representation in the development of regional plans and policies."

UPDATE, April 26, 2006:  Over 200 applications are now under review by the Public Participation committee, which consists of Mayor Hartstein and fellow RPB members Zenovia Evans (mayor of Riverdale), Marilyn Michelini (mayor of Montgomery), and Raul Raymundo (executive director of The Resurrection Project).

Hartstein said he and his committee will coordinate their work with the CAC to promote public awareness and engagement in RPB activities.  The RPB consists of 15 members appointed by the region's mayors and county board chairs (plus one ex officio member each from CATS and NIPC). The board is in the process of hiring its first executive director, a position that was advertised in early 2006. Later this year the board will submit a report of initial recommendations to the State of Illinois.
 

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Committee Contact:
Elliott Hartstein (847-830-6474)

Media Contacts:
Tom Garritano (312-386-8609)
Jock Hardy (312-386-8766)