Municipal leaders from the DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference along with nearby Councils of Government gathered on Friday to review fresh survey data and raise objections to the proposed Building Up Illinois Developments Act. They called on state legislators to pursue cooperative approaches to housing instead of expanding state oversight of local development rules.

The recent DMMC county-wide survey found that more than 70 percent of participants want zoning and land-use choices kept at the local level. Over half indicated that growth is already occurring at an appropriate rate. Participants ranked affordability, taxes, and overall living costs higher than efforts to boost neighborhood density or expand outward.

Residents clearly prefer that individual communities keep control over planning and zoning matters affecting their neighborhoods, infrastructure, and daily quality of life, noted DMMC President and Roselle Mayor David Pileski.

Housing measures that add to local inventory should strengthen resident investments rather than weaken them by removing local zoning authority, stated Donna Johnson, Libertyville Mayor and Northwest Municipal Conference President.

Local governments handle community infrastructure upkeep, which remains tied directly to development choices, explained Palos Hills Mayor Gerald Bennett on behalf of the Southwest Conference of Mayors.

Statewide rules may appear straightforward in theory, yet local officials manage the practical outcomes on the ground, observed Debby Sosine, Algonquin Village President, speaking for the McHenry County Council of Government.

Leaders pointed to ongoing local work that responsibly adds housing options and welcomed state partners to join those efforts. More than 6,100 multi-family units have been completed in DuPage County since 2020, with thousands more underway. This measured strategy matches survey results showing residents favor preserving community character over rapid expansion.

The focus today centers on achieving growth responsibly through sustained planning that maintains community viability for years ahead, said Wheaton Mayor and DMMC Vice President Phil Suess.

Communities require room to tackle housing issues in line with local infrastructure capacity and taxpayer priorities, remarked Carpentersville Mayor and Metro West Council of Government President John Skillman.

State policy ought to back local cooperation rather than bypass established community planning steps, added Billy McKinney, Lake County Municipal League President and Mayor of Zion.

Responsible growth begins by hearing residents and aligning development with each community's long-range vision, stated Barrington Village President Mike Moran, representing the Barrington Area Council of Governments. We remain prepared to collaborate with legislators on balanced housing approaches that honor local communities, taxpayers, and forward-looking plans.

DMMC and partner organizations urged state lawmakers to advance collaborative housing solutions that retain municipal planning powers, supply infrastructure support, and give communities flexibility to meet their specific housing needs.

Supporting Organizations:
DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference
Southwest Conference of Mayors
West Central Municipal Conference
Northwest Municipal Conference
Metro West Council of Government
Lake County Municipal League
McHenry County Council of Government
Barrington Area Council of Government

SOURCE DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference