 Get Involved:
Public Involvement/CSS:
Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS) is a collaborative
public involvement approach that engages all project
stakeholders and uses a flexible, creative design approach
to develop, construct and maintain cost effective
transportation facilities. A stakeholder is defined as
anyone who could be affected by the project and has a stake
in its outcome. The inclusive process contributes to the
selection of an improvement design that fits into its
surroundings or its “context”. CSS addresses all modes of
transportation, and strives to preserve scenic, aesthetic,
historic and environmental resources while maintaining
safety and mobility.
The purpose of CSS is to gather and duly consider project
input from all interested parties by promoting extensive
public involvement and frequent communication with
stakeholders. A detailed program is developed and tailored
to the specific outreach needs of each project, compiled in
a document known as the Stakeholder Involvement Plan, or
SIP. The information collected through the CSS process,
coupled with detailed technical analysis, form the basis for
ultimate project decisions made by the joint lead agencies
for the project, IDOT and the Federal Highway Administration
(FHWA).
Stakeholder Involvement Plan (SIP):
As part of the overall public involvement
program for the Illinois Route 2 Study, a Stakeholder
Involvement Plan, or SIP, has been developed and will set
forth opportunities for public involvement and participation
in the study. The SIP serves as a blueprint for defining the
outreach tools and methods, creates a framework for
promoting and achieving consensus, identifies the roles and
responsibilities of study participants, and establishes the
timing of activities planned throughout the study to engage
the public in the process. The SIP also provides the forum
for communicating the decision-making process between the
public, local agencies and government officials to identify
transportation solutions. The Illinois Route 2 Stakeholder Involvement Plan (V.5
- August, 2012) is available for review.
Click here to view the
Stakeholder Involvement Plan.
Citizen Advisory Group (CAG):
To assist with the development of the
Illinois Route 2 Phase I Study, IDOT will create a Citizen
Advisory Group (CAG). The purpose of the CAG is to provide
input on various study elements including defining needs,
developing evaluation criteria and determining means of
addressing the needs. The CAG consists of community leaders
from the study area and stakeholders with specific interest
in the project corridor. CAG membership will initially be
developed by the Project Study Group, and will include a
wide cross-section of corridor interests. Municipal and
County leaders and technical staff, property and business
owners, residents and interested citizens will be invited to
attend. In addition, individuals wishing to be considered
for serving on the CAG can do so by signing up on the
project website or by filling out a form at public meetings.
CAG membership will promote balanced representation of
corridor stakeholders in an effective and manageable
workshop setting. The responsibilities of this group include
providing input to the study process and reaching a
consensus at key project milestones. Information from
CAG
meetings will be posted here as it becomes available.
Meetings and Minutes
Outreach Meetings:
Public Meetings - There will be two
public meetings scheduled for the Illinois Route 2 Phase I
Study, a Public Information Open House meeting and a
Public Awareness Meeting.
Public Informational Open House Held March 9, 2011
– IDOT hosted a second public meeting, the Public
Informational Open House, for the IL 2 N. Main Street
Project Study on March 9, 2011. The meeting was held at the
Spectrum School located at 2909 N. Main Street in Rockford.
The purpose of the meeting was to share initial design
concept recommendations developed by the IL 2 Citizen’s
Advisory Group (click here for meeting materials), and
solicit feedback from interested stakeholders. The meeting
was held in an open house format, and interested persons
could visit anytime between 1:00 and 6:00 p.m. Attendees had
the opportunity to review exhibits, provide comments, and
meet with IDOT and study team representatives to discuss the
project.
Public Awareness Meeting – IDOT hosted the first
public awareness meeting on August 5, 2010 to kick off the
Illinois Route 2 Phase I Planning and Environmental Study.
It was held at EIGERlab which is located at 605 Fulton
Avenue in Rockford. The purpose of the meeting was to
introduce the project and gather input from the public.
Interested persons could visit anytime between 1:00 and 6:00
p.m. IDOT provided information regarding the study schedule
and process, study area characteristics and public
involvement opportunities. Attendees had the opportunity to
review exhibits, provide comments, and meet with IDOT and
study team representatives on a one-on-one basis.
Public Informational Open House Held July
11, 2012 – IDOT hosted a third public meeting, a Public
Informational Open House, for the Illinois Route 2/N. Main
Street Phase I Study on July 11, 2012. The meeting was held
at the Spectrum School located at 2909 N. Main Street in
Rockford. The purpose of the meeting was to share the
preliminary design layout developed from recommendations by
the IL 2 Citizen’s Advisory Group (click here for meeting
materials), and solicit feedback from interested
stakeholders. The meeting was held in an open house format,
and interested persons could visit anytime between 1:00 pm
and 6:00 pm. Attendees had the opportunity to review
exhibits, provide comments, and meet with IDOT and study
team representatives to discuss the project. Attendees also
had the opportunity to view and comment on the anticipated
impacts of the project to Brown Park. The displays included
a variety of information including proposed right-of-way and
temporary construction easement needs. The meeting was the
last public meeting scheduled as a part of the Phase I
preliminary design.
Meeting
Summaries
Citizen Advisory Group Meetings
IDOT will be enlisting the input of the Illinois Route 2
Citizen Advisory Group (CAG) to assist with the project.
This group of community leaders from the study area, and
stakeholders with expertise or technical interest in
environmental, land use, transportation, and economic
development will meet throughout the duration of the study.
CAG membership will initially be developed by the Project
Study Group, and will include a wide cross-section of
corridor interests. Municipal and County leaders and
technical staff, property and business owners, residents and
interested citizens will be invited to attend. In addition,
individuals wishing to be considered for serving on the CAG
can do so by signing up on the project website or by filling
out a form at public meetings. CAG membership will promote
balanced representation of corridor stakeholders in an
effective and manageable workshop setting.
Involvement Opportunities:
There will be several methods for the public to become
involved and obtain information about the project. These
methods will provide information and opportunity for
feedback regarding upcoming public meeting events, project
schedule, and general project status updates within the
study area.
Citizen Advisory Group – To assist in the development
of the environmental and engineering studies for the
Illinois Route 2 study, IDOT is forming a Citizen Advisory
Group (CAG). The purpose of the CAG is to provide input on
various study elements including defining needs and
alternative development and evaluation criteria. The CAG
consists of community leaders from the study area and
stakeholders with specific interest in the project corridor.
The responsibilities of this group include providing input
to the study process and reaching a consensus at key project
milestones. Stakeholders can contact CAG members to make
them aware of specific concerns and questions. Contact
information will be provided when it becomes available.
Public Outreach Meetings - Stakeholder involvement
for the Illinois Route 2 study will be an ongoing process
from project initiation through completion. Various meetings
will be held throughout the project development process to
provide opportunities for all stakeholders to offer project
input and feedback, including:
Agency, Municipal, County and Civic Group
Meetings: Agency, Municipal and County meetings will be held
on an as-needed basis to discuss and coordinate specific
project issues with those that would be impacted by the
project.
Public Meetings: Public meetings will
be held at key points during the project development phase
to engage the public. The purpose of the meetings will be to
gather the thoughts and concerns regarding the information
presented. Questions raised by meeting participants,
depending on the nature, will be either answered immediately
or addressed in subsequent meetings, letters or other
communication mechanisms. Comments received at the public
meetings will be documented, and the information will be
considered as a part of the analysis and evaluation of the
proposed improvements. Individuals on the mailing list will
receive invitations in the mail announcing future meetings.
Other Public Involvement Opportunities
In addition to the meeting opportunities
described in the preceding section, there will be several
other methods for the public to obtain information about the
project. These methods (noted below) will provide
information and opportunity for feedback regarding upcoming
public meeting events, project schedule, and general project
status updates within the study area.
Mailing List and e-subscription
To support public meeting invitations, newsletter
distribution and other direct public contact, a mailing list
has been developed and will be regularly updated. Phone
numbers and e-mail addresses will be added to the list, as
available. If you would like to be added to the mailing list
to receive printed project materials or to receive
electronic notices about website updates, please fill out
the Question/Comment Submittal Form in the “Contact Us”
section of the Information Center.
Newsletters
Newsletters will be printed over the course of the study.
These publications will feature the latest project news and
will be used as a means of communicating information about
the project.
Question/Comment Submittal Form
Please fill out a comment form, as we are interested in your
thoughts and ideas. This will add you to our mailing list to
receive meeting notices and other mailings unless you ask
not to receive them. The comment form is located in the
“Contact Us” section of the Information Center.
|
