Mar 30, 2023

State of the Region 2023: Northeastern Illinois supports equity and resilience in new survey; 7 community projects and leaders lauded for achievements

For immediate release 

CHICAGO — Residents in northeastern Illinois value many of the region’s assets — including transportation, open space, and access to good jobs — but are increasingly concerned about economic issues, according to a new survey by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP). 

For its State of the Region program, CMAP worked with a leading survey agency to collect responses from a representative sample of northeastern Illinois’ nearly 8.6 million residents. The program brings attention to public sentiment on key quality-of-life issues. It also recognizes the agencies and individuals who go above and beyond to improve the region, its communities, and its people.   

“The 2023 State of the Region is an opportunity to highlight and celebrate the necessary, challenging, and meaningful work that comes with building a more inclusive and thriving northeastern Illinois,” said CMAP Executive Director Erin Aleman. “The firsthand feedback from our residents also reminds us that a strong quality of life requires an everlasting commitment, and our award winners remind us why we should always uphold that commitment.” 

While public opinion has remained largely consistent since CMAP’s last survey in 2021, northeastern Illinois residents are increasingly worried about affordable housing, personal finances, and other economic issues. 

Residents also showed support for more equitable transportation investments, regional collaboration, and local action on climate change, recognizing the need for proactive solutions that can address the region’s most pressing challenges. CMAP and its partners continue to advance these solutions, implementing priorities in the region’s long-range plan, ON TO 2050, related to transportation, the economy, and the environment. 

CMAP also is celebrating seven projects and leaders that have helped make northeastern Illinois more inclusive and thriving in the face of these challenges. 

CMAP’s 2023 Regional Excellence Awards honors the Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation, the City of Aurora, the Regional Transportation Authority, Pace Suburban Bus, the Village of Oak Park, Skokie Mayor George Van Dusen, Chairman of Engineering Enterprises Peter Wallers, and others, for championing and advancing numerous quality-of-life improvements within their communities. 

Through their projects and careers, the award winners all have helped prioritize equity, strengthen resiliency, and make the region’s communities more economically competitive.

The winners were selected by a jury of local government officials, advocates, and students. For a full recap of our award winners, visit the 2023 Regional Excellence Awards page.

The 2023 public opinion survey, completed by 2,213 residents in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties, was conducted for CMAP by Embold Research in January 2023. For more key findings, visit the survey page. 

Contact

Natalie A. Kuriata 
nkuriata@cmap.illinois.gov 
312-386-8608

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Mar 30, 2023

State of the Region 2023: Northeastern Illinois supports equity and resilience in new survey; 7 community projects and leaders lauded for achievements

For immediate release 

CHICAGO — Residents in northeastern Illinois value many of the region’s assets — including transportation, open space, and access to good jobs — but are increasingly concerned about economic issues, according to a new survey by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP). 

For its State of the Region program, CMAP worked with a leading survey agency to collect responses from a representative sample of northeastern Illinois’ nearly 8.6 million residents. The program brings attention to public sentiment on key quality-of-life issues. It also recognizes the agencies and individuals who go above and beyond to improve the region, its communities, and its people.   

“The 2023 State of the Region is an opportunity to highlight and celebrate the necessary, challenging, and meaningful work that comes with building a more inclusive and thriving northeastern Illinois,” said CMAP Executive Director Erin Aleman. “The firsthand feedback from our residents also reminds us that a strong quality of life requires an everlasting commitment, and our award winners remind us why we should always uphold that commitment.” 

While public opinion has remained largely consistent since CMAP’s last survey in 2021, northeastern Illinois residents are increasingly worried about affordable housing, personal finances, and other economic issues. 

Residents also showed support for more equitable transportation investments, regional collaboration, and local action on climate change, recognizing the need for proactive solutions that can address the region’s most pressing challenges. CMAP and its partners continue to advance these solutions, implementing priorities in the region’s long-range plan, ON TO 2050, related to transportation, the economy, and the environment. 

CMAP also is celebrating seven projects and leaders that have helped make northeastern Illinois more inclusive and thriving in the face of these challenges. 

CMAP’s 2023 Regional Excellence Awards honors the Greater Auburn-Gresham Development Corporation, the City of Aurora, the Regional Transportation Authority, Pace Suburban Bus, the Village of Oak Park, Skokie Mayor George Van Dusen, Chairman of Engineering Enterprises Peter Wallers, and others, for championing and advancing numerous quality-of-life improvements within their communities. 

Through their projects and careers, the award winners all have helped prioritize equity, strengthen resiliency, and make the region’s communities more economically competitive.

The winners were selected by a jury of local government officials, advocates, and students. For a full recap of our award winners, visit the 2023 Regional Excellence Awards page.

The 2023 public opinion survey, completed by 2,213 residents in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties, was conducted for CMAP by Embold Research in January 2023. For more key findings, visit the survey page. 

Contact

Natalie A. Kuriata 
nkuriata@cmap.illinois.gov 
312-386-8608

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