American Planning Association - Illinois Chapter
 
   

Pro Bono Services Program


Mission Statement - History - Past Projects - Pro-Bono Services - Volunteer - Talent Bank - Contact Us

Announcements

  • Call for projects - The Pro Bono Program needs your help in identifying groups or communities that could use the Pro Bono services. Contact us for more information

  • Call for volunteers - the Pro Bono Committee is looking for a few (more) good planners


Mission Statement

The mission of the Pro-Bono Planning Service Program is to provide planning services on a pro-bono basis by the Illinois Chapter of the American Planning Association (ILAPA) membership, to assist eligible non - profit organizations, community groups, service agencies and governmental units in the initiation, organizing and fine tuning of early stage planning projects. The program is not intended to compete with private sector planning services which may be needed to perform and complete any of a full range of planning activities.


History

The ILAPA’s Pro Bono Program was established to benefit both the communities/organizations we serve and to provide an outlet for creative community service activities of our membership. The program is the only one of its kind among APA Chapters and Sections in the country. It has been recognized as highly successful by the national organization, and the ILAPA was provided a grant from National APA organization to prepare a video about the program which is now used in training other chapters in how to conduct similar activities. Also in 2003 the ILAPA was recognized nationally with the AICP President’s Award in recognition of their work in the communities and in the area of professional development.


Past Pro Bono Projects

Since 1998, the Pro Bono Committee has undertaken a number of diverse projects. These include:

an open space/water retention project plan and preliminary retail development feasibility discussions for Ford Heights, IL
a Cal Sag waterfront plan and preliminary comprehensive plan discussion for Robbins, IL
a commercial development plan for a commercial strip along Irving Park Road in Chicago, IL
a residential density discussion for Chicago's Edison Park neighborhood
an organizational plan for downtown revitalization in Riverdale, IL
a transit oriented design plan for the Metra Robbins/Blue Island commuter train station
an action plan & agenda setting for a commercial TIF district in the Chicago's Mount Greenwood neighborhood
a downtown Minooka, IL strategic planning session focusing on marketing, organization, and design
a strategic planning session to start the framework for the new town of Homer Glen, IL
● organized local participation in the National Conference charrette in Chicago's Humboldt Park neighborhood
● a planning session in Joliet, IL with a faith based organization to begin a comprehensive planning process
● a priority setting exercise for the Village of Harwood Heights, IL focusing on a variety of planning issues
● design charrette for the recovery efforts of Utica, IL after the tornado disaster of 2004
● a Northwest Highway commercial strip revitalization planning exercise for Chicago's Norwood Park neighborhood


What the Pro-Bono Service Program Provides

The Pro Bono Program, originated in 1998, is an outreach service offering initial planning services to:

organizations
community groups
service agencies
government entities


Pro Bono Committee’s involvement begins with organizing a planning session in conjunction with a local group or municipality. From that foundation we tap into the resources of ILAPA membership for talent, conduct the planning session on location, and work out an action agenda with the local entity. The local entity sponsoring the meeting is required to include a local, representative base of residents, merchants, political interests and other players that have a vested interest in the success of the project. The sessions have typically lasted half a day.

The ILAPA team usually consists of 5 to 15 planning professionals with expertise in the general area being explored. Typically the teams have been mixed groups ranging in experience from recent grads to veteran planners. To date all projects proved to be win - win in situations for both ILAPA and the sponsoring community.


Become a Volunteer

Regardless of how many years of experience you have or your current job's focus your help is needed. If you do volunteer, you will need to fill out a form identifying yourself and your professional talents. Once you have filled out the form, e-mail the form to . Your information will be placed in a "talent bank". Your information will remain private, for use by the pro-bono committee. When the pro-bono committee is going to organize a planning session with a group they will search through the talent bank for the professionals with talent most relevant to the project.

Do join us in a rewarding experience. Your input and talent will be appreciated and you'll have the opportunity to network with your peers and grow in a professionally.


For Those Already in the Talent Bank

If you have registered for the talent bank previously but have:

changed jobs
gained new experience
● developed new professional interest areas

Let us know so we can update our records! Fill out a form. Don't remember the last time you updated your info?
-- CONTACT US ANYWAY!!!!


For More Information

Contact Pro Bono Committee Officer Grace Bazylewski at 708-895-7174 or by

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