Indian Head Park is partnering with the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning to develop its first comprehensive capital improvement strategy, a move that will let residents help decide how the village spends on roads, stormwater systems, and municipal facilities over the next five to 10 years.
The initiative marks a shift toward what planners call participatory budgeting — residents won’t just be informed about infrastructure decisions; they’ll help make them. The village will hold public engagement activities to identify priorities and will use objective criteria to evaluate projects, making the decision-making process transparent.
“By planning ahead, engaging our residents and making data-driven decisions, we’re ensuring that every infrastructure dollar is spent wisely,” Village Administrator Gavin Morgan said.
The plan builds on earlier work. Indian Head Park already participated in CMAP’s Pavement Management Technical Assistance Program, which focused narrowly on roads. This new effort expands that foundation into a broader strategy covering the full range of village assets.
The payoff is practical: advance planning reduces unexpected costs, maximizes taxpayer value, and strengthens the village’s ability to compete for state and federal grants.
Work begins in the coming months. The village will announce public engagement opportunities as the process unfolds.
Indian Head Park is one of 26 municipalities selected for CMAP technical assistance this year. The agency has supported more than 400 Chicago-area projects through competitive application since its program launched.