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The Caucus provides a forum through which the chief elected officials of the region cooperatively develop consensus on common public policy issues and multi-jurisdictional challenges. With a foundation of collaboration and consensus-based decision-making, it serves a number of functions for its partner organizations and local governments:
- The Mayors Caucus is a voice for regional approaches to issues and challenges, such as: economic development, school funding and tax reform, workforce readiness, energy reliability and security, air quality, funding for transportation and other infrastructure, housing, and emergency preparedness.
- The Caucus cooperates with leaders and agencies from the private, non-profit, and public sectors that seek to work toward the common goal of improving the well being of all who live in the region.
- The Caucus provides a forum for the discussion and resolution of issues that impact the overall quality of life in the region.
- The Mayors Caucus develops consensus positions on a broad range of key issues facing the Chicago region and is a strong advocate for their adoption at the federal, state, and local levels of government.
The Chicago region has some strong traditions. One of these is the tradition of independence frequently defined by our political and geographical boundaries. While independent voices and thinking are needed for a clear and fair perspective on issues, any region should embrace a grander vision that seeks value for many, not just a few. This was the “grand plan” of Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley when he recognized the need several years ago for a new spirit of cooperation among the municipalities and regional municipal associations in the metropolitan Chicago region.
Mayor Daley’s vision was to unite Mayors from our six-county region. He wanted to push past geographical boundaries and local interests to work on economic challenges and other public policy issues that could impact the lives of millions of people in our 272 municipalities. His vision became reality. On December 2, 1997, Mayor Daley convened a meeting of Mayors representing nine suburban municipal associations. Initially called the Economic Development Forum, the event made history: it was first time that Mayors from all over the Chicago area had ever met together to share concerns and work toward resolution of common challenges.
This five-hour planning session began it all. The Mayors emerged with a strategy to establish the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus as a forum to foster regional cooperation. With a foundation in collaboration and consensus-based decision-making, they pledged to work toward the common goal of improving the quality of life for all those in the greater metropolitan area. The Mayors also agreed to meet again to identify other vital issues for discussion and ways that they, as elected officials of their communities, could enhance partnerships with other government, business, and civic leaders. The Caucus: a forum for discussion and a force for change had been launched.
One of the great strengths of the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus is its informal organization. With freedom and flexibility built in, the Caucus is structured for success. While each of the quarterly meetings has an agenda, discussion is wide-ranging and free-wheeling with Mayors sharing ideas and developing joint solutions and positions of consensus on critical municipal and regional issues.
The members of the Caucus include the City of Chicago and nine partner suburban municipal groups – the DuKane Valley Mayors & Administrators, DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference, Lake County Municipal League, McHenry County Council of Governments, Northwest Municipal Conference, South Suburban Mayors & Managers Association, Southwest Conference of Mayors, West Central Municipal Conference and Will County Governmental League . These 10 members each appoint one director and one alternate to serve on the Executive Board. The Board meets every other month and is charged with the responsibility of overseeing general operations of the Caucus. The Board selects a Chairman and Vice Chairman from its membership to preside at meetings and provide inspiration and leadership. The Caucus itself meets at least three times a year. Terms for Board members and officers are for one year only.
We respect the different perspectives that all the independent municipalities bring to the Caucus. We hear these voices, air differences, and then work at achieving a single vision and focus so we can leverage the strength of a unified position on key issues. Consensus remains the basis for decision-making and actions taken by the Caucus as a whole. For this reason, the decisions and positions taken by the Caucus are advisory to the City of Chicago, participating associations, and their individual member municipalities. Each partner organization and each mayor may act on recommendations of the Caucus as they see fit. We remain a strong and viable organization because we recognize the power of unity while never forgetting the importance of independence, flexibility, and freedom.
The Caucus thanks the following past chairs for their leadership and dedication to regional leadership and cooperation.
2002-2003 President Mark W. Damisch, Village of Northbrook
2003-2004 President Gerald Bennett, Village of Palos Hills
2004-2005 President Thomas J. Murawski, Village of Midlothian
2005-2006 Mayor Thomas Adams, Village of Green Oaks
2006-2007 President Gayle Smolinski, Village of Roselle
2007-2008 Mayor Jeffery Schielke, City of Batavia
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