VILLAGE OF LINCOLNWOOD Strategic Planning Report 2012 - 2015

1. VILLAGE OF LINCOLNWOOD Strategic Planning Report 2012 - 2015

2. TABLE OF CONTENTS Vision Statement……………………………………………………3 SWOT Analysis – Where we are today?....................................4 Trends we considered…………………………………………......5 Desired Image Key Lincolnwood Vision Elements……………..6 Goals 2012 – 2015…………………………………………………7 Goals/Objectives 2012 – 2015……………………………………8

3. VISION STATEMENT The Village of Lincolnwood effectively blends the advantages of urban proximity with quality suburban amenities. Families are drawn to Lincolnwood in part because of superior schools, parks and convenience of commerce and transportation links. Lincolnwood is a stable community with long-term residents who stay here due to the consistently strong property values, variety of housing stock and the vitality of diverse neighborhoods. The Village government, through effective strategic planning and timely responsiveness to changing conditions, continues to offer excellent public services in a fiscally responsible manner, often with more attractive tax rates than surrounding communities. The Village of Lincolnwood’s vision includes a commitment to an even more business friendly environment. Attracting destination developments on several key village sites is a focus for the community. Additional restaurants in the village would be considered a plus. The development of a new community recreational center is also desired to enhance the parks programming opportunities. The Village continues to look for ways to continually improve the effectiveness of it’s services and the efficiency of the process to deliver them.

4. SWOT ANALYSIS – WHERE WE ARE TODAY?

5. TRENDS WE CONSIDERED • Our shrinking piece of the tax pie • Economy is in a global transition • Rising E-commerce without taxing ability • Community housing market influx • More diversity within the community • Public apathy • More municipal marketing creating business, consumer, and resident competition • More tax incentives being utilized to attract business • Manufacturing exodus from Cook County • Stagnant tax base/rising costs • Deferral on capital improvements • More self service approaches

6. DESIRED IMAGEKey Lincolnwood Vision Elements • Lincoln Avenue mirrors Touhy and Crawford – Lincoln streetscape, slow traffic, visually appealing • Lincolnwood is a destination – a draw for shopping, socializing, business, church, etc. • Touhy and Lincoln are more pedestrian-friendly with traffic diverted from the area • The purple hotel site has become a destination • Lincolnwood has a brand and, within the municipality, has a certain look and feel – we are distinguished from Chicago and Skokie • B&H site is fully developed or created into green space as a part of Channel Runne • Parks are a jewel • Great housing stock • Positive, diverse community • New, expanded community center • Channel Runneis developed • School District 74 has a great reputation for quality education and fiscally sound operations • Lincolnwood is business-friendly, attracting more businesses • Well managed fiscal approach and lower taxes than our neighbors • Lincolnwood’s government has customer friendly service • Lincolnwood has thorough enforcement of consistent rules – will provide help along the way – instills pride of ownership • Citizens involved and glad to live in Lincolnwood

7. GOALS- 2012 - 2015

8. GOALS/OBJECTIVES – 2012-2015 Goal 1:Continue the Village’s realistic fiscal policy; maintaining taxes lower than neighboring communities Objectives: Continue to present realistic budgets Identify capital improvement priorities Develop a plan for alternative revenue sources and begin implementation (partnerships, sponsoring, etc) Goal 2:Develop the purple hotel site as a central gathering destination Objectives: Define with the Village Board the desired use of the site and timeframe Engage EDC to drive and coordinate purple hotel site Goal 3: Further define and develop the brand and identify for the Village of Lincolnwood Objectives: Establish a workshop with the Village Board to further define the Village of Lincolnwood’s brand Staff to design branding exercise and subsequent branding plan

9. GOALS/OBJECTIVES – 2012-2015 Goal 4:Use Lincolnwood’s Economic Development Commission to drive Village’s vision for economic development Objectives: Conduct a planning workshop session with EDC and Village Board In preparation for above, benchmark other community economic development models and arrange for board and EDC community drive around Gather input from the business community though breakfast/lunch meetings Establish dollars in the budget for economic development and supporting activities Goal 5: Become a partner with the mall in promoting opportunities to reinvigorate the mall and surrounding area Objectives: Work with EDC regarding connector road Staff to workshop with property owners to explore use options Goal 6: Bring more restaurants to the community Objectives: Staff to conduct webinars to promote community development and restaurants Staff to meet with Village Board to define desired sites for restaurant development Attend Restaurant Association conference to explore current restaurant trends and needs

10. GOALS/OBJECTIVES – 2012-2015 Goal 7:Become a “friendly to do business with” government, assisting in attracting and developing business Objectives: Staff to create plans to identify and streamline key processes to do business/development in Lincolnwood Effectively communicate the business/development friendly philosophy to staff – Empower for continuous improvement Staff to develop plan to continue marketing the village’s economic development needs and business friendly environment Goal 8:Review Lincolnwood’s economic and business incentive policy, balancing incentives for development and business with those of the community and tax payer Objectives: Staff to develop data, benchmarks, and policy document for Village Board discussions and action Review with EDC for input prior to Village Board review Goal 9:Since government can not afford to be everything to everyone, focus on core services and manage expectations of citizens through appropriate communications Objectives: Involve multiple departments speaking at various community meetings, promoting the needs and operation of the municipal government Gather input from the Passport Committee to determine methods to further involve and engage Lincolnwood’s diverse population Consider methods in the development of the website for attracting and involving citizens Staff to discuss these topics (A, B, C) and other topics when meeting with school district staff Engage with the various religious groups within the community to gather input and assist with event development

11. GOALS/OBJECTIVES – 2012-2015 Goal 10:Create destinations around the pool, attracting Lincolnwood residents and visitors Objectives: Consider these sites in other planning activities Goal 11:Reexamine public transportation opportunities and connect to the new Skokie station Objectives: Explore the possibility of a public transportation loop within the community Appoint a staff member to be responsible for transportation planning Survey citizens regarding transportation needs and concerns Goal 12: Develop a constructive partnership with the overlapping and surrounding taxing body boards (i.e. surrounding, municipalities, schools, county etc.) Objectives: Meet with taxing body boards in 2013 to discuss mutual interests Staff to meet with taxing body boards staff prior, to discuss mutual interests