Lincoln-Way Corridor Planning Council Chairman Ray Rossi defended the panel Wednesday night against charges it is unrepresentative of all the communities in the area as it prepares for the possible extension of Interstate Highway 355 into the far southwestern suburbs.
“I agree that citizen participation is a key issue, but we’re not exactly chopped liver up here. We are citizens, too,” said Rossi, who is the mayor of Frankfort.
He said that planning doesn’t imply total support for the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority.
“It is traditional to plan even for things that do not occur,” he said.
Some residents opposed to the proposed extension of I-355 through the New Lenox area are challenging the role of the local planning council.
The Lincoln-Way Corridor Planning Council, formerly the I-355 South Suburban Corridor Planning Council, was formed to coordinate land use and development plans among southwest suburban communities along the path of a proposed link between Interstate Highways 80 and 57.
Council membership includes representatives of Frankfort, Mokena, New Lenox and Manhattan as well as representatives of area school, park and fire protection districts and Will County.
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According to Gaylyn Grimm of New Lenox, who sought a seat on the council in October, area residents who will be affected by the tollway’s plans do not have a voice on the council.
ISTHA representatives have outlined five possible routes that cut through New Lenox and through New Lenox Township. A sixth alternative is widening I-80, which already connects with I-57 in Matteson.