Lake County—a local view

In 2004, the county board adopted a Lake County Regional Framework Plan which recognizes the high value of its treasured environment and features two interconnected goals:

• A strong local economy that provides well-paying jobs and tax support for good schools and other government services.
  
• A regional environment that is healthy for residents, offers scenic and recreational open space and provides habitat for wildlife.

According to the plan:

• To accommodate demand, Lake County will need to add 2,775 housing units per year for the next 20 years. Residential land use is projected to grow from 25% in 2000 to 40% in 2020.
  
• Lake County will lose 24,000 acres of farmland between 2000 and 2020. The 44,000 acres present in 2000 is expected to shrink to 20,000 acres by 2020.

Lake County—a regional view

The 2040 Regional Framework Plan offers a new set of planning tools to guide land-use decisions in northeastern Illinois. Released in 2005 by the Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission, this plan results from a process that included 200 workshops and 4,000 participants. The vision states:
“Northeastern Illinois will be known for its healthy natural environment. The quality of the region’s air, water, land and other natural resources will be preserved and enhanced by public and private action and by an environmentally literate populace.”
The detailed plan emphasizes a respect for local decision-making. By using the 2040 Plan, communities can proactively update their own comprehensive plans, adopting best practices to cooperate with neighboring communities for a better future.

Lake County—a national view

According to a recent report from the National Wildlife Federation¹, demand for land in Lake County will outstrip supply by 160% by 2025. Of all counties in the nation, Lake County ranks ninth in terms of demand for land. With 226 square miles of open space projected to be developed in Lake County between 2005 and 2025, the county ranks 17th nationwide for land consumption.

1. Endangered by Sprawl: How Runaway Development Threatens America’s Wildlife, 2005, by National Wildlife Federation, Nature Serve and Smart Growth America.