Summit brings leaders together to reach public-policy consensus.

On October 3, the One Region organization sponsored a session attended by 70 leaders from throughout the region. The event was designed to tap the wisdom of the participants concerning the public-policy choices we face as an extended community. The assembly included representatives from the business community, education, social service organizations, elected officials and the media. I had the good fortune of facilitating the daylong retreat.

Using a variety of techniques, we tested for consensus as to how we might proceed with respect to a broad range of emerging opportunities and persistent challenges. The participants first brainstormed public-policy initiatives of various kinds. This was followed by the development of criteria to be used in discerning priorities. After time devoted explicitly to open advocacy for one initiative or another, a voting process ensued. The top priorities that emerged from this process were then evaluated in terms of their current “location” in the public-policy process and the steps needed to move each of them forward.

Two priorities tied for the most votes: first, advocate and fund early childhood education; and second, secure the long-term funding of the Regional Development Authority (RDA). The participants thus put great weight on one of the criteria agreed upon earlier in the session: Our top priorities should provide a foundation for other positive developments. School readiness and the funding and leadership provided by the RDA both meet this critical test.

The other priorities selected for detailed analysis included the following:

* Take steps to improve both the reality and the perception of public safety through community involvement and other crime prevention strategies.

* Support the expansion of the South Shore Rail Line and the Gary-Chicago Airport.

* Improve access to affordable health care through Medicaid expansion and other statewide and community-based strategies.

* Take steps to more effectively and consistently connect industry and education in order to strengthen the workforce.

* Expand and repair local infrastructure, including mass transit.

In my view, this meeting served a much-needed purpose. There is a sense among some that consensus regarding what needs to be accomplished in order to improve our quality of life has flagged a bit in recent years. With the RDA established and property tax reform enacted into law, we seem to have scaled back on our expectations. Yes, critical infrastructure projects are now underway, and the efficiency of local government has greatly improved, but there is more to be done. This will not be enough if we are to leave a better future to our children and grandchildren. Our conversation on October 3 showed that broad consensus still exists on a critical set of issues. Now is not the time to rest on our collective laurels.

So where do we go from here? That depends, of course, on key decision-makers and other stakeholders who are responsible for wrestling with these kinds of public-policy priorities. And it depends on the rest of us as well. “Many hands make the lifting light.” The participants at our meeting on October 3 got us off to a good start. They articulated concrete steps that can be taken over the next one to two years with respect to each of the identified priorities. We have a blueprint of sorts for action.

Just as important, the meeting again demonstrated the value of talking across business and organizational sectors and across county lines as well. The One Region organization should be congratulated for its ongoing efforts in this regard.

–Daniel Lowery, Ph.D., is president of Calumet College of St. Joseph.