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Planning and navigating tensions in the new industrial age

CMAP’s The Century Plan: Catalyst Series brings together regional voices to solve for tomorrow — today

The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning’s journey to shape The Century Plan — northeastern Illinois’ long-term vision for a better, stronger future — led us to the Fox Metro Water Reclamation District facility in Oswego for a thought-provoking discussion around industrial land use and development.

Planning for new industrial growth

There is tension between the desire and need for economic growth through technological investment and innovation while balancing the substantial demand for energy, water, infrastructure, and a skilled workforce.

Development is moving farther south and west — and projects are growing in scale. All seven counties in Northeastern Illinois are seeing a boom in data centers, solar farms, and manufacturing projects in their pipeline. Data centers and artificial intelligence require significant amounts of water for cooling.

Northeastern Illinois’ freshwater resources — Lake Michigan and our rivers — are an incredible natural and economic asset, but their abundance is not guaranteed. And groundwater is being depleted at an unsustainable rate in some areas of the region.

“We heard ComEd say there is an unprecedent need for power,” Village of Lockport Mayor Steven Streit said. “There is also unprecedented need for water resources and land resources. This means coordination is more necessary than ever.”

Mayor Streit was one of several elected officials at CMAP’s Catalyst Series event to hear from expert panelists on the future of industry, its impacts, and how we navigate together.

Part of the solution to the growing strain will require reduced water demand and use, McHenry County Water Resources Specialist Scott Kuykendall said.

“You can actually have increased population and increased economic development and decreased water demand,” he added, “but that does not happen by magic. You have to intentionally make decisions to decrease your water consumption, and we need to be making that decision now.”

Measures include expanding the use of modern, sophisticated, super-efficient municipal water management systems, treating wastewater for drinking, and incentivizing greater use of low-flow toilets and showers.

Planning for our future water supply is imperative and will require greater coordination across existing utilities and jurisdictions, better alignment between water withdrawals and long-term growth, and shared investment in modern infrastructure. Questions around water governance policies and practices are emerging as we convene stakeholders around The Century Plan.

Navigating the tension

Honesty and transparency early and often — that’s the expert advice when hearing questions and concerns.

Romeoville Mayor and CMAP Board Member John Noak said being candid with constituents about the pros and cons of a proposed development is crucial. His town leverages workshops — rather than formal board or committee meetings — where unbiased experts answer residents’ questions.

“Our obligation is to make sure we’re giving our residents the truth and as much access to that as possible,” Noak said.

Also, communities need to look beyond their own backyard and consider the far-reaching impacts of new development, including the aggregate use of water tables and the impact on the greater power grid.

Mayor Streit said it’s too difficult for individual communities (like his) to coordinate this on their own. He welcomes the information-sharing, ideas-exchange, and regional approach.

“I’m not anti-data center, but I am anti-small ideas,” he said. We can come up with some really good ideas – if we work together on this.”

The takeaway was clear: it’s going to take thoughtful planning and strong regional coordination to solve these big, complex problems.

“There are three things that are always changing,” CMAP Executive Director Erin Aleman said. “People, technology, and our climate. As we think about how a regional agency can really step up and help coordinate, we want to play that quarterback role. But we also need support, coordination, and collaboration as we do that.”

And that’s exactly what The Century Plan is about. Learn more.

Thank you to our Century Sponsors

Solving for tomorrow, today

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.

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. The journey is just beginning, and we invite you to join the ride!