Planning for Illinois’ Water Future
Northeastern Illinois’ water resources are finite and constantly under stress from population growth, aging and inefficient infrastructure, and climate change. Illinois’ withdrawals from Lake Michigan are limited by U.S. law, while our underground water stores are being drained faster than they can recharge. Given that our water supply is not growing, but demand is, it is essential that we conserve existing resources and use them as efficiently as possible. Water supply policy and investment must respect the regional nature of water supplies and the local nature of water management. Since 2003, MPC and Openlands have advocated for greater regional coordination on water supply issues. In 2010, this project will advocate for increased state support for regional water supply planning, a rethinking of federal and state infrastructure investment policies, and more flexible tools for local conservation and efficiency upgrades.
Articles
MPC in Springfield: Solutions for a strong economy-
- Good policy doesn’t have to be expensive – in fact, it can lead to cost savings – and MPC’s 2010 Springfield legislative agenda is proof. This session, MPC is advocating for several bills that would improve state policies related to water supply planning, pedestrian safety,…
MPC by the numbers, 2009-
- From jobless rates to the Dow Jones Industrial Average, from Illinois’ budget gap to foreclosure trends, news reports in 2009 were awash with gloomy figures. It’s been a challenging year, and the numbers don’t lie.
Yet, fortunately, they rarely tell the whole…
More must be done to preserve water supply-
- This letter to the editor ran Dec. 7, 2009, in Crain's Chicago Business.
Crain's recent coverage of projected water shortages in Northeastern Illinois drove home a fact many of us living near Lake Michigan are just beginning to realize: This region's water supply is valuable and limited, and we…
New MPC and Openlands report tackles Illinois water supply concerns-
- MPC and Openlands, both longtime advocates for sustainable water supply management, have released Before the Wells Run Dry: Ensuring Sustainable Water Supplies in Illinois, a joint report with recommendations for improving local and regional water supply planning and conservation strategies across…
Why privatize?-
- This letter ran in the Chicago Tribune on Nov. 23, 2009, in response to the Nov. 16 article, "Leasing water system could be a risky move for Chicago."
The most important question to ask about privatizing public assets is, “Why?”
Yes, public-private partnerships have potential to…
Multimedia
Rainwater Harvesting for Non-Potable Uses
SB 2549: A new tool for sustainable water resource management in Illinois-
- Publication
- (131 KB)
- posted by Peter Skosey
- January 19, 2010
- Chief Sponsors: Ill. Sen. Susan Garrett (D-Highwood) and Rep. Kevin McCarthy (D-Orland Park)
Currently there are no minimum standards in the State Plumbing Code for capture of rainwater on site and re-use for non-potable purposes. As a result, local health boards have minimal ability to assure…
Before the Wells Run Dry: Ensuring Sustainable Water Supplies for Illinois-
- Publication
- (4 MB)
- November 19, 2009
- This report recommends coordinated planning and implementation strategies that will capitalize on the work of the pilot regional planning groups, integrate regional plans with state and local practices, and ensure the long-term sustainability and efficient use of our finite, fragile water…
- Executive Summary
Before the Wells Run Dry: Ensuring Sustainable Water Supplies for Illinois
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- Publication
- (1 MB)
- November 19, 2009
- This report recommends coordinated planning and implementation strategies that will capitalize on the work of the pilot regional planning groups, integrate regional plans with state and local practices, and ensure the long-term sustainability and efficient use of our finite, fragile water…
Before the Wells Run Dry: Ensuring Sustainable Water Supplies for Illinois-
- Listen to this recording of the Oct. 13, 2009, half-day forum, co-facilitated by Openlands and Metroplanning Planning Council, which examined recommendations for sustainable water supply planning. The event featured panel discussions on four topics paramount to Illinois' water future: reinventing…
- Sustainable Choices for a Greener Chicago Region
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- In the third event in MPC and Chicago Architecture Foundation's 2009 summer roundtable luncheon series, "Reinventing Public Investment," panelists discuss opportunities to affect change in Washington, D.C. – through federal legislation on climate change mitigation, water infrastructure…
Before the Wells Run Dry
(2009) – Presents a series of recommendations for how Illinois can support and continue the existing regional water supply planning groups, reform state policies and programs to support regional water supply planning throughout Illinois, increase the efficiency of investment in water-related infrastructure, and ultimately reward local management that conserves shared water resources.
Troubled Waters
(2005) – Urged the State of Illinois to establish a statewide framework for regional supply planning, based on data, integrated management of surface water and groundwater, and inclusion of water demand analysis in land use planning.
Changing Course
(2003) – Examined the relationship between development practices and water quality and quantity in a 12-county northeastern Illinois region.
Collaborators
Openlands
Joyce O’Keefe, Deputy Director
Lenore Beyer-Clow, Policy Director
Funders
The Field Foundation of Illinois
The Seabury Foundation
