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CITY OF WEST CHICAGO
DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
ITEM TITLE:
AGENDA ITEM NUMBER: A.
An Ordinance Modifying the City Code and
Establishing an Economic Development FILE NUMBER:
Commission
COMMITTEE AGENDA DATE: March 14, 2022
Ordinance No. 22-0-0009
COUNCIL AGENDA DATE: March 21, 2022
A
STAFF REVIEW: Tom Dabareiner, AICP SIGNATURE _@—QE—>>—
CITY ADMINISTRATOR REVIEW: Michael Guttman SIGNATURE
ITEM SUMMARY:
As part of its continued desire to better focus efforts to promote healthy and sustainable community and
economic development, the City Council commissioned a Chicago area planning firm to draft a Strategic
Plan. The Plan was adopted in May 2016, and offered guidance on how to effectively marshal and
deploy the resources needed to promote the type of dynamic growth within West Chicago desired by its
residents and members of the City Council. Among the primary recommendations was the formation of
an Economic Development Commission or Task Force that would serve as an advisory body to the City
Council. According to the Strategic Plan, the group would “[meet] regularly to act, in effect, as local
economists who are experts on West Chicago’s development trends and potential...and [advise] on what
course of action the City should take, if any at all” (West Chicago Strategic Plan, 2016). Creation of an
Economic Development Commission was subsequently incorporated into the City’s Economic
Development Plan (2019).
Formation of the Economic Development Commission would provide an opportunity to encourage
additional connections and coordination with the business community, area non-profits, and regional,
state and national organizations. It would enhance communication and understating of economic
development strategies and build relationships between the City of West Chicago public sector, members
of the public, and the business community. The Economic Development Commission would advise and
make recommendations to the City Council on economic development policy and issues that advance
the economy and prosperity.
ACTIONS PROPOSED:
Recommend approval of Ordinance No. 22-O-0009 modifying the City Code and Establishing
an Economic Development Commission
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:
By a unanimous (6-0) vote, Development Committee members recommended that the City Council
approve the ordinance to create an Economic Development Commission.