Titled “Developing a Community Strategic Plan”, this easy-to-read publication provides a comprehensive approach to creating a sustainable vision and action plan for communities. “The cooperation between the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and the Illinois Association of Regional Councils (ILARC) made this publication possible is an excellent example of how locally based organizations can work with State agencies to improve the quality of life in Illinois,” said Terry Kohlbuss, ILARC President. “We need more of this kind of collaboration if Illinois is going to compete successfully for the workers, businesses and jobs that will thrive in the decades to come.”

A strategic plan is a road map to the future growth of the community. A well thought-out community plan involves three primary components – vision, goals and objectives, and the plan process. This 52-page publication contains all of these components and offers a step-by-step approach to walk the reader through the planning process. From the formation of the steering committee to implementation of the plan itself, the reader will learn how to create the community vision, identify community strengths and weaknesses, and develop the plan framework.

“A strategic plan provides the blueprint of where a community wants to go and how to get there,” said publication co-author Doug McDermand, Executive Director of the Coles County Regional Planning and Development Commission. “This publication features concise, to-the-point explanations of strategic plan concepts, good examples of strategic plan approaches, excellent graphics, and plan worksheets designed to guide busy local officials through the strategic plan process.”

In addition to the plan worksheets, the guidebook includes a directory of Illinois regional councils and information on other Illinois strategic planning processes including DCEO’s 5 Year Economic Development Plan Process, DCEO’s Competitive Communities Initiative (CCI), Illinois Institute of Rural Affairs’ (IIRA) MAPPING the Future of Your Community, and the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS).

ILARC would like to extend its appreciation to Governor Rod R. Blagojevich, Jack Lavin, Director of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and the DCEO Policy and Planning Staff for their financial and programmatic support of this publication. Thanks to DCEO, local officials now have a valuable tool to assist their communities in creating a brighter community and economic future to benefit their citizens for years to come.

“This guidebook couldn’t have come at a better time. Most of the counties and municipalities in our region are struggling with very tight budgets, yet they have enthusiasm and energy to want to improve their communities. A Strategic Plan can provide the roadmap for doing just that.” said NCICG Executive Director, Nora Fesco-Ballerine.   “Having a Strategic Plan in place will also help communities identify and acquire funding resources for their projects.  NCICG is happy to assist local communities with this process.”

The Illinois Association of Regional Councils serves as the recognized organization in Illinois representing regional councils at the state and national levels. Nora Fesco-Ballerine holds the position as Secretary for the Illinois Association of Regional Councils. The North Central Illinois Council of Governments is the regional council serving the north central Illinois Counties of Bureau, Grundy, LaSalle, Marshall, Putnam and Stark.  NCICG’s mission is “To encourage and strengthen local governments while combining our total resources for area challenges and concerns to promote economic development, housing development, public facility improvements, and planning improvements to meet the needs of our rural communities and our region as a whole."

NCICG has received the guidebook and accompanying CD-ROM.  They are available for loan through their lending library. It is also available for downloading free in Adobe Acrobat Reader format below . The printed publication is available for purchase from NCICG for the cost of $7.50 (plus shipping and handling). For ordering information, please call 815/875-3396 or e-mail klindeman@ncicg.org

Developing A Community Strategic Plan Guide
Cover
Table of Contents
Document
Appendix A
Appendix B