News Updates

State of the Region report starts conversations about regional systems and trends

What does it take to live in northeastern Illinois? Will we have the water we need in the future? Will the region remain a global economic center?

These are just a few of the questions the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning’s (CMAP) new State of the Region report examines. As northeastern Illinois embarks on defining a shared vision for the future — The Century Plan — we need to understand where we’ve been, where we are today, and what the future may hold. This report helps start those conversations.

The State of the Region report highlights how northeastern Illinois has evolved over the past 10 to 20 years, providing snapshots of where we are today to inform where we want to go in the future. The featured topics are closely related to residents’ quality of life and issues that are ripe for regional coordination — for example, housing supply, water usage, transportation options, and living-wage jobs.

Key takeaways:

• Although northeastern Illinois’ population has not grown significantly in recent years, there have been significant changes in who lives here — resulting in an older and more diverse population.
• Some households are struggling to make ends meet as the cost of essentials like housing, food, and healthcare have been on the rise. Without a bachelor’s degree, living wage jobs in the region are particularly hard to access.
• The region is already feeling the effects of climate change through recurring flooding and more days of extreme heat. Looking ahead, northeastern Illinois’ drinking water resources will be crucial to strategically protect and maintain. 
• Many homeowners and renters across the region are burdened by housing costs. New housing construction has favored large, single-family homes and studio/one-bedroom apartments, leaving fewer mid-size options and adding to financial strain.
• The region’s transportation system is a competitive economic advantage, but congestion and aging roads and bridges make it harder for people and economic goods to move efficiently across northeastern Illinois. 
• The region’ economy is growing, but at a slower pace than other metropolitan areas and the nation overall. Industries that contribute most to the region’s growth have especially struggled to rebound from recent economic disruptions, like the Great Recession and COVID-19 pandemic.

Solving for tomorrow, today

Throughout 2026 and 2027, CMAP is bringing together regional decision-makers and action-takers from government, civic, business, and community organizations to think big about the challenges and opportunities facing northeastern Illinois. Together, we’ll set a path for systems that support transportation, the economy, and the environment — with priorities defined by the region, for the region.

As you read the State of the Region report, we’d love to hear what resonated with you. What was surprising? What could we to dive deeper into? The journey is just beginning, and we invite you to join the ride!

The Century Plan is a shared, overarching vision for northeastern Illinois that will guide policies for transportation, the environment, and the economy for decades into the future.