By Justin O'Brien
June 27, 2005

Mayors were treated to presentations by several Chicago metro area mayors, during the plenary session on Sunday June 12, who described what can be accomplished when cities within a particular geographic region work together for mutual ends and benefit. The concept for this discussion came from Mayor Richard M. Daley, who has worked very closely with neighboring mayors in the Chicago metro region through the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus.

In opening remarks, Conference President Akron (OH) Mayor Don Plusquellic noted that discussions of regionalism and enhanced regional cooperation have become increasingly important as federal and state resources are being continuously reduced for so many cities throughout the country. He further described how the Conference's series of Metro Economic Reports have demonstrated how the economic vitality of cities within particular regions is vitally and closely linked.

Daley was joined by Midlothian (IL) Mayor Thomas J. Murawski, Chair of the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, and Bartlett (IL) Mayor Catherine J. Melchert. The presentations outlined the trend towards regional governance stemming from the convergence of interests of nine different organizations of municipalities in the region, all of whose members experience and face common challenges and issues. The creation of the larger Metropolitan Mayors Caucus was the logical next step to provide a forum to foster regional cooperation with the common goal of improving the quality of life for residents of the 272 cities and villages represented in the nine regional groups.

Advisory Nature of Caucus Recommendations Assures City Independence Preserved — Air, Schools and Smart Planning Key Items for Cooperation

Noting one of the distinct strengths of the Caucus is that the independence of individual cities is never infringed upon, Mursawski explained that Caucus recommendations and outputs are advisory in nature and though jointly crafted individual cities are not mandated or required to implement recommendations. Melchert noted three areas in particular on the regional workslate in which substantial gains were made. These are Clear Air, Property Taxes with regard to Education Funding and Reform, and Land Use and Transportation. For example, through the collective strength of the regional city lobby the Caucus was able to change and improve state funding and financial accountability systems. With regard to land use and transportation, again through collective influence two previously separate but logically interdependent organizations were successfully merged into a single agency; a regional planning board, with unanimous approval of the Illinois House and Senate. Describing her experience of this regional cooperation and its potential she said, "The possibilities are endless."

Cost Effective Business, Economic Development from Denver Metro Mayors

Switching to other regions, Denver Mayor John W. Hickenlooper described the work and successful concensus-building of the Denver Metro Mayors group, created earlier by his predecessor former Denver Mayor Wellington E. Webb. Using the concensus construct, the Denver Metro Mayors group has approached regional cooperation with the concept of mayors as constituents; the cooperative working relationships have yielded highly significant and effective direct results including joint purchasing agreements which have yielded cost-efficiencies for all participants, greater regional trust and agreements regarding the attraction of businesses and private sector investment. This cooperation has extended to the creation of a Regional Economic Development Corporation where the region's mayors are "joined at the hip."

Cross Border Partnerships Vital for Shared Natural Heritage, Public Safety

The mayors were also joined by Toronto, Canada Mayor David Miller representing an international Conference partner, the international cities and world mayors group, Metropolis. Miller described a deep meaningful cross-border partnership with Chicago noting that the two cities' opportunities and challenges are the same, irrespective of the border. Miller went on to describe the importance of the Great Lakes Initiative and its overt recognition of water as an important international resource, and how public safety is enhanced by working together for inter-governmental cooperation and commonsense gun control laws.