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Elburn Herald
April 17, 2003
by Susan O'Neill
A group of public interest and governmental organizations formed a coalition to focus on regional transportation
issues.
The impetus of the coalition, called the Prairie Alliance for Sensible Transportation, is the proposed Prairie
Parkway that would connect Interstates 80 and 88 by passing through Grundy, Kendall and Kane counties.
Citizens against the Sprawlway, a grassroots organization made up of individuals opposing the highway, is one of
the founding members of the Prairie Alliance.
However, Sprawlway chairman Jan Strasma said there is a distinction between his organization and the alliance.
"The Prairie Alliance does not replace Citizens against the Sprawlway, which is flat-out against the sprawlway
(beltway)," Strasma said.
Strasma explained that the Prairie Alliance brings together organizations that represent a spectrum of interests,
and are not in total agreement about what should be done about the Prairie Parkway.
"What they do share," said Strasma, "is concerns about growth, farmland protection, open space and
transportation issues."
The member organizations have the common goals of encouraging public involvement in the Prairie Parkway study process
and ensuring that the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) considers and evaluates all of the alternatives
for meeting future transportation needs.
IDOT recently began an $18.75-million environmental and needs assessment of the 36-mile outer beltway.
The highway would connect Interstate 80 at Minooka with Interstate 88 east of Kaneville. Last July, IDOT formally
recorded a 400-foot-wide corridor for the proposed road, restricting improvement and development of property in
the corridor.
The Prairie Alliance will hold a public forum at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 7, at the restored Kendall County Courthouse
in Yorkville to discuss the status of the IDOT study, explain the environmental review process and encourage full
public involvement in the planning.
"We recognize a need for planning now for future transportation needs, but we want to ensure protection of
natural resources, farmland, and open space," said Brook McDonald, President and CEO of the Conservation Foundation,
another founding member of the alliance.
The group will focus on educating the public on the issues and process of transportation planning, as well as working
to protect natural resources, farmland and open space.
"The member organizations will share information on IDOT's activities and work to make sure the state objectively
considers all alternatives, including using existing roadways instead of paving over valuable farmland for a whole
new beltway," said Strasma.
Other founding members include the village of Big Rock and the Kendall County Farm Bureau. Additional Prairie Alliance
members are American Farmland Trust, Big Rock Creek Watershed Committee, Big Rock Historical Society, Campton Township,
Citizens for Aux Sable Creek, DeKalb County Farmland Foundation, Environmental Law and Policy Center, Fox Valley
Land Foundation, Geneva-St. Charles League of Women Voters and Kendall Citizens for Responsible Growth.
"We believe that good communication, public involvement and independent oversight will result in a better
product in the end whether it's the Prairie Parkway or some other transportation solution," said Strasma.
Additional information is available at the alliance's website, www.prairiealliance.org, or by e-mail at info@prairiealliance.org.,