Macomb, IL – Now is the time for McDonough County residents to share their thoughts on issues such as housing, public safety, and land use.
The comprehensive plan questionnaire has been sent out by the Western Survey Research Center at Western Illinois University. The survey process was organized by the Western Illinois Regional Council.
WIRC's Shannon Duncan says the data collected will be used by the county board. "It's very important," says Duncan. "This is one of the public's opportunities to weigh in on the topics that will be part of the comprehensive plan and get their feelings heard."
The survey has been sent to 2,000 randomly chosen homes. Those who don't receive one in the mail can still offer input. The survey is available at the courthouse and at public libraries in the county.
It can also be completed on-line.
Duncan acknowledges the survey is long - it's eight pages. But she hopes people will set aside 15 or 20 minutes to fill it out. She points out it's been trimmed down from a longer survey.
Duncan is urging people to complete and return the survey within the next couple weeks. She hopes to present results to the county board in a couple months.
The comprehensive plan is being paid for with a $35,000 grant.
The county says an updated plan is sorely needed. The only known comprehensive plan for McDonough County is from 1972. It was designed to be a 20-year plan.