TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF MARCH 6, 2008
COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC INFORMATION & EDUCATION
Mr. Richard Lanyon, General Superintendent
Title
Requesting Authority to Participate in the Burnham Plan Centennial
Body
Dear Sir:
Recently, the District has been invited to be a partner in programming for the Burnham Plan Centennial Committee (BPCC). Presently, other governmental members of the Committee include Addison Public Library, Chesterton Public Library, Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, Chicago Park District, City of Chicago: Chicago Public Library, Department of Cultural Affairs, Department of the Environment, Department of Planning & Development, Landmarks Division, and the Mayor’s Office of Special Events, Forest Park Public Library, Forest Preserve District of Cook County, Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, Forest Preserve District of Lake County, Glen Ellyn Public Library, Glenside Public Library District, Hammond Public Library, Kenosha Public Library, Metra, Michigan City Public Library, Oak Brook Public Library, St. Charles Public Library, Town and Country Public Library District, Regional Transit Authority, and the Village of Winnetka.
The Burnham Plan Centennial also has a cross-section of over 150 other major regional cultural institutions, civic and non-profit organizations, educational institutions, neighborhood and community development organizations, and professional associations participating.
The vision of the Burnham Plan 100th Anniversary is to inspire our region’s communities, leaders and institutions to build on the success of the Burnham Plan and act boldly together to shape the region’s future. A focus of the vision for BPCC is environmental and conservation programs that includes the education of area residents about these topics. The District's public education activities would be useful to the BPCC and such collaboration may be useful to further education about the District's operations and services.
The Centennial’s theme is, “Bold Plans. Big Dreams.” The core idea underlying this theme is to challenge children and adults to think and act beyond boundaries to advance the region’s quality of life. Beyond boundaries means examining the full range of new possibilities, having a regional mindset, and reinforcing the connections that bring our diverse region together.
Objectives of the Burnham Plan Centennial are:
1. Inspire and educate adults and children about both the legacy of the Burnham Plan and their opportunities to make bold new plans for the region’s future.
2. Advance enduring physical legacies that complete elements of the Burnham Plan and contribute to the region’s quality of life.
3. Initiate bold plans for the next century that will make the Chicago region one of the world’s best places to live and work.
The District's corporate interests and operations are consistent with these visions and themes and would benefit from success in the objectives.
The BPCC has proceeded through its formation and prepared its Strategic Plan.
While, the District would not be providing funding to the BPCC, it would be in the District’s interest to participate in BPCC activities.
The District has cooperative alliances already in place with several of the agencies/institutions participating in the Burnham Celebration. These include the Field Museum of Natural History, Water: H2O=Life Exhibit and Programs, and the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, Public Input on 2040 Regional Plan Scenarios.
It may be germane to note that in addition to the region’s celebration, the year 2009 is the 120th Anniversary of the District.
There does not appear to be any negatives to the District in becoming a programming partner of BPCC. Our participation could benefit the District to the extent outlined above and also having the District being viewed as an integral component of the development of the region into the great metropolitan area it is that Burnham envisioned.
For the reasons set forth above, it is requested that the Board of Commissioners grant their authority for the District to become a program partner in the BPCC.
Requested, Edmund J. Cook, Deputy Chief Engineer, EJC:JBH
Respectfully Submitted, Frank Avila, Chairman Committee on Public Information and Education
ORDERED passed by affirmative roll call vote of a majority of the Commissioners present this March 6, 2008. Approved, President Terrence J. O’Brien