Planning Process

Regional Vision

Northwest Illinois is a resurgent rural region actively tackling demographic and economic challenges. Loathing complacency and genuinely engaged, local government officials experiment with smart growth/decline strategies. Decisions proceed from thoughtful, well-maintained plans developed using robust public input.  People invest in themselves, their neighbors, and their communities. Facing population loss, residents welcome and support newcomers. 

Critical industries - like agriculture, energy, manufacturing, and tourism - reinvent themselves.  Entrepreneurs, startups, and independent businesses strengthen and diversify the local economy. Investments in people and infrastructure enable fruitful development, generating wealth and creating resilient communities that are healthy, sustainable, and equitable. Everyone who needs it has access to broadband, childcare, education, local food, housing, and healthcare. The region's stakeholders preserve natural resources, cultural assets, and historic places in throughout the Driftless Area and Rock River Hills.