Aurora Beacon-News
January 12, 2002
Communities sound off: List of official stances on highway growing
By Dave Parro
STAFF WRITER
Economic leaders from Plano and village officials from Somonauk voiced support for the Prairie Parkway this week, further polarizing communities that will be affected by the construction of the proposed, 33-mile, outer-belt highway.
The Plano Economic Developmental Corporation sent a letter of support to the Illinois Department of Transportation Thursday, stating that the four-lane road would "assist in controlling growth in certain areas of our community."
The Somonauk Village Board passed a resolution of support this week by two-vote margin.
The Yorkville Economic Development Corporation already has stated its support for the highway, and the city of Yorkville likely soon will follow.
Big Rock and Kane County already have voiced their opposition.
Sugar Grove is waiting to hear from residents at a Jan. 29 meeting.
All the communities will send their positions to the state to be included in IDOT's official public comment.
The Plano Economic Development Corporation, which represents residential and commercial taxpayers in Plano, states its mission as ensuring community growth without negative impacts on the city's infrastructure. The letter to IDOT says the proposed, north-south highway through Kane, Kendall and Grundy counties would accomplish that goal.
The letter voiced support in particular for IDOT's chosen central-corridor-protection area, which runs just east of town.
"If the roadway is not constructed, as proposed, as a limited access roadway, continued suburban sprawl will eliminate current commercial corridors and some of our rural property," wrote N. Michael Tucker, the corporation's president. "We believe this would be detrimental to the best interest of our community over the next several years."
John Henning, the corporation's executive director, said board members also felt the highway would relieve congestion on local road networks, especially with development rapidly moving west.
"The growth is coming here," Henning said. "Already, people can see that. Look at Oswego. Look at Yorkville. It's coming down the road."
The Somonauk ordinance faced some opposition but passed 4-2. Although the proposed link between Interstates 88 and 80 is a good 10 miles east of the village, Becky Morphey of the Laws and Ordinances Committee brought the ordinance to the table.
"I'm personally in favor of it," said Village President Jim Back.
Some trustees questioned whether the road would have much impact on the community, and the negative votes were primarily a result of personal inconveniences the highway could create.