May 2019 Member Spotlight: Emily Egan, AICP

Every month, the APA-IL will turn the spotlight on members who are making an impact in Illinois urban planning and with the APA-IL. These members exemplify the APA-IL's determination to Make Great Communities in Illinois!

This month, we talk with...

Emily Egan, AICP

Assistant City Planner, City of Elmhurst

Tell us a little about yourself.

I’m from the beautiful state of Michigan and received an undergraduate degree from Grand Valley State University. I earned my Master’s degree at the University of Illinois at Chicago. After that I was a research assistant for the Metropolitan Planning Council before working for the Village of Brookfield for three years. I’ve been the Assistant City Planner for the City of Elmhurst since July 2018.

What are some of your current or notable projects?

In the Village of Brookfield, I was proud to lead the Zoning Modernization project which included major form-based and TOD zoning amendments. I was also the project manager for Brookfield’s Active Transportation and Comprehensive Plans. Both of those projects brought out the most challenging and most rewarding parts of the Plan making process and I am grateful for those experiences.

In Elmhurst, I’m working with developers on several multi-family projects in the Downtown and commercial projects throughout the City. The City has laid a great Planning foundation and is experiencing development which furthers the goals laid out in the City Plans. Recently, I worked on updating the city’s Planned Development Ordinance and Subarea Plans. I am looking forward to seeing projects within the subareas go through a more streamlined and community-driven planned development process. Additionally, I’m excited to be working on the Elmhurst Sustainability Plan which focuses on addressing many of the environmental challenges facing our region.

How have you been involved with the APA-IL?

Earlier in my career, my main role in APA-IL programming was as an enthusiastic attendee. I love the collaboration between APA-IL and organizations like the Chicago Metro Section, Women in Planning and Development, and The Municipal Design Review Network. Some of my favorite events have been on diversity, equity, signs, and green development materials.

I presented at the 2017 and 2018 APA-IL state conferences. Most recently, I joined the Planners Legislative Action Day (#PLAD) where a group of us visited Springfield to discuss issues in planning, zoning, and transportation with state legislators. Great work done by great planners in our state!

What is your favorite activity outside of the office?

I actually really love talking to planners outside of the office, but I don’t think that answers this question. When I’m not doing planning related activities, I like to ride my bike and play drums. I’ve set two summer goals: learn ten new songs on the drums and complete a one hundred mile bike ride.