There are 102 counties in
Illinois and the Southland encompasses three county governments of Cook, Will
and Kankakee Counties. Southland residents number 2.5 million and represent a
significant voice in Illinois and Regional politics. The area is also organized
into townships, as has been the tradition in Illinois for some time.
Even communities that border each other have unique and strong local
government. Particular to the Southland is the high degree of collaboration and
coordination between local governments. Modern suburban life with a sense of
community is a personality of the Southland. While individual communities
create unique living experiences for their citizens, extensive coordination
between mayors and communities groups creates continuity unparalleled in
suburban life anywhere in the country.
This extensive cooperation has led to corridor-based incentives and marketing
efforts designed to highlight the area as a place ripe for economic
development.
Other governmental organizations that represent our region include regional
transportation bodies and partnerships between governmental jurisdictions
designed to coordinate municipal services across
community lines. The Northeast Illinois Planning Commission has leadership from
the Southland and works on long-range strategic development for the region.
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The Southland is represented by some of the State's most experienced state
legislatures and strong Congressional representatives that represent the
region. The Chicago Southland Chamber of Commerce is a center pin to
representing the best interest of business at all areas of government.
Government services at the local, county and state levels assist your business
through the efforts of staff and their proactive elected officials. Chicago
Southland Chamber of Commerce members extend into DuPage, northern Cook and
Lake County Illinois as well as numerous communities in Indiana. These members
are located outside the Southland but do business in the Southland. Most
communities within the Southland region have active chambers of commerce and
support articulation between your business and local government. A complete
list of local chambers is available at the Chicago Southland Chamber.
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