Collaborate for inclusive growth

Data on economic outcomes reveals stark disparities in how low income and minority populations share in regional progress. These outcomes are particularly negative for the region’s black residents, who face lower incomes, higher unemployment, and longer commutes.^{{{Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, “Economically Disconnected Area clusters in the CMAP region,” January 23, 2018, https://cmap.illinois.gov/cmap-news/economically-disconnected-area-clusters-in-the-cmap-region/.}}} Yet, regions that have stronger potential for upward economic mobility — for all residents — are more economically successful. To meet its potential, the region’s economy requires opportunities for all residents to contribute to and benefit from its growth.^{{{Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, “Inclusive Growth,” July 2017, https://cmap.illinois.gov/wp-content/uploads/Inclusive-Growth-strategy-paper.pdf.}}} By creating new pathways and systems that challenge existing inequalities, the region can place itself on a path to higher, more durable growth. Because the causes of inequality are myriad and no single solution exists, the region needs multiple, sustained initiatives to tackle the many issues that perpetuate economic inequality and impair regional prosperity.

Regional partnerships and shared goals are critical to implementing ON TO 2050’s many strategies for inclusive growth. Existing initiatives such as Partnering for Prosperity show the potential for regional collaboration to decrease economic inequality.^{{{Cook County, “Partnering for Prosperity,” April 2013, http://blog.cookcountyil.gov/economicdevelopment/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Appendix-B-Partnering-for-Prosperity.pdf.}}} Yet the region’s inclusive growth goals will also require some actions targeted to particular communities’ needs and others designed to reform and integrate activities across public and private institutions. While this strategy includes new and existing activities for CMAP, it will also require additional partners to take the lead and foster regional collaboration. For example, political, civic, and business leaders should continue developing a regional career pathway system, increase investment in disinvested areas, and ensure that emergent transportation technologies support inclusive growth. These and other strategies highlight the far-reaching nature of problems driving inclusive growth and the number of private sector and public actors that will be required to implement effective solutions.