Aurora Beacon-News
September 17, 2004
By Matt Hanley
STAFF WRITER
A recent notice that the Illinois Department of Transportation will begin the Environmental Impact Study for the
Prairie Parkway project has some citizens concerned, but officials say it is just another natural step.
The notice of intent was published Sept. 10 in the Federal Register, a publication for legal notices available
on the Internet at www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/. Program development engineer for the Illinois Department of Transportation
Clarita Lao said that, with the transportation needs identified, this notice was required to begin the next phase.
The Federal Register is a normal place for such notices to be published, she said.
Lao said the notice isn't insignificant — it allows them to eventually start the environmental study — but it does
not mean the road is much closer to starting.
"It's still a long way off," Lao said.
However, the head of a group opposing the parkway does not believe this notice is quite so innocent.
"This is an important step," said Jan Strasma, the head of Citizens Against the Sprawlway. "This
is a turn from the studies that have been going on to a very formal legal process."
Strasma said he doesn't believe IDOT has made it clear how people can voice their concerns and problems during
the "scoping" process, which determines the issues and alternatives to be covered in the environmental
study. He said after meticulous efforts to solicit public opinions while studying the area's transportation needs,
Strasma finds it odd that IDOT didn't schedule a public meeting at this point.
"The ground rules are changing, and they need to tell us," Strasma said. "They owe it the public
to tell them about the process."