About the Study: Public Involvement Program

A new process for McHenry County…
… Stakeholder Involvement Program that incorporates a modified CSS Approach

The Randall Road Improvements Study is incorporating an expanded Stakeholder Involvement Program based on principles of a context sensitive solutions (CSS) approach. This approach is a new process for McHenry County which is being used to ultimately develop a transportation solution which is sensitive to the communities' needs and the environment while considering the total context within which a transportation project will exist. Although the study is not using the formal Illinois Department of Transportation or Federal Highway Administration CSS process, the study is using CSS principles which include the employment of early, continuous, and meaningful involvement of the public and all stakeholders throughout the project development process.

Goals and Objectives of the expanded Public Involvement Program include:

• Determine project context with stakeholder input and consensus
• Develop a project purpose
• Treat all involved parties with respect and dignity, in a transparent manner and in a way that ensures that their input is duly heard and considered
• Identify reasonable alternative solutions to solve identified transportation problems with stakeholder input and concurrence
• Choose a preferred alternative solution to identified transportation problems for the project with stakeholder input and concurrence

The expanded public and stakeholder involvement program for the Randall Road Improvements Study includes a Public Meeting for Scoping, a Public Meeting for Alternatives Evaluation, a Public Hearing for Preferred Alternatives and the Review of Environmental Results, a website, newsletters, meetings with agencies and special interest groups, and a Community Advisory Council that will work with McHenry County throughout the entire Phase I process to achieve their purpose of being a liaison between the public and McHenry County to ensure community views are expressed and recommendations are made in the best interest of the communities.