Chicago Suburban Alliance
Over the past few years, the issue of infill development and teardowns has come to the forefront in suburban communities all around the Chicago metropolitan area. Numerous grassroots citizen groups have formed, educational forums and panels have been held, and city governments are grappling with how to manage this increasing problem.
As a result of the prominence of this issue, representatives from citizens groups across Chicagoland have joined to form the Chicago Suburban Alliance. The group began meeting in August 2003 and membership continues to grow with approximately 120 members from more than 40 suburban groups represented, including Glen Ellyn, Elmhurst, Kenilworth, Oak Park, Downers Grove, Hinsdale, Forest Park, Winfield, Naperville, Lake Forest, Winnetka, Glencoe, Riverside, Batavia, Arlington Heights and Park Ridge. Representatives from the first City of Chicago neighborhood – Old Irving Park – have recently joined the Alliance.
Even though these communities are different in many ways they all share the characteristics that make them targets for developers. They are land locked, they are desirable places to live, and their property values are high enough to bear the million dollar plus price tag placed on many of these new homes. In addition, many of them have city governments that are struggling or reluctant to do anything about this problem.
The Chicago Suburban Alliance has become a network for information and personal contacts. The group has met several times and plans to continue to meet at least quarterly. They meet to discuss common issues, and to learn what has been proposed in other communities to help manage infill development. Political strategies, zoning ordinances, flooding control, landmark preservation, community surveys and downtown commercial redevelopment have been among the topics discussed.
The group has set up a listserv, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/chicagolandcitizens/, to promote communication on a regular basis and to share documents. Future plans may include collaborative educational forums, and inviting experts to the meetings to discuss architectural design, real estate marketing, flooding and other areas that need to be explored and understood. Click here for instructions on how to join the listserv.
