DuPage County Board members worked together over the course of 12 months to develop a strategic plan that will guide legislation for the remainder of the decade. The plan was approved on Tuesday, highlighting the goals and priorities of both the board and the community for the future of DuPage.
Led by board member Sadia Covert, the Strategic Planning Committee decided to focus on community services and economic development. Objectives include supporting local businesses, workforce development, and creating outreach programs for families, the elderly, and people with disabilities. County Board Chair Deborah Conroy emphasized the importance of the strategic plan in keeping DuPage County thriving and prosperous.
While the plan’s goals are not binding, they emphasize priorities such as community well-being, fiscal responsibility, a thriving economy, a safe community, environmental stewardship, and mobility. Debates within the board over specific language in the plan persisted until the last minute, with compromises made to address different perspectives.
Some of the smaller objectives outlined in the plan include reducing the county’s landfill presence through composting and recycling, as well as expanding bike and pedestrian pathways. Recent plans like the Solid Waste Management Plan and DuPage County Trails Plan are already paving the way for these improvements.
Community engagement was a crucial part of the plan’s development, with forums, interviews, and over 1,000 survey responses helping to shape the priorities. Board member Cindy Cahill expressed gratitude for the input from community members, recognizing their role in ensuring that the plan reflects shared values and visions for DuPage County’s future.