Ready Set Wilmette Comprehensive Plan

Community-led planning to improve quality of life, with a focus on diversity & inclusion and sustainability

Wilmette, IL

Project Highlights

  • Unique planning themes included Diversity & Inclusion, Active Transportation, Housing Affordability, and Sustainability

  • A series of four “Wilmette Talks” with live Q&A engaged and educated the community, addressing nuances, data-backed trends, and perspectives

  • "Spotlights” were added to each section of the plan to focus on unique elements of the community, and were drafted for the plan by Village stakeholders

  • Subarea plans were developed for business districts where purpose and market position had changed. Recommendations focused on urban design, zoning, and development concepts

  • Market analyses were conducted for the Village and business districts to ensure subarea recommendations reflected realistic market potentials

With key themes in mind, the engaged Wilmette community was ready to dive into the comprehensive planning process. The Teska-led planning process designed and facilitated engagement and future land use recommendations. Bolstered by the expertise of Goodman Williams Group, Applied Real Estate Analysis (AREA), C-Change, EOR Water Ecology Community, and Fish Transportation Group, the Plan outlines recommendations for advancing progress in this built-out community. The Plan was adopted by the Village Board in June 2024.

“A comprehensive plan is developed with and for the people who live in that community.”

- Chapter 2 of the Ready Set Wilmette Comprehensive Plan



  • Two community pop-ups engaged Wilmette families as they were attending existing community events

    Two community pop-ups engaged Wilmette families as they were attending existing community events

  • Wilmette residents shared hundreds of ideas on an online interactive comment map, noting things and places they love, issues, opportunities, and ideas

    Wilmette residents shared hundreds of ideas on an online interactive comment map, noting things and places they love, issues, opportunities, and ideas

  • Teska prepared conceptual graphics to depict potential future development to convey goals of the plan and serve as a starting point for discussion with developers

    Teska prepared conceptual graphics to depict potential future development to convey goals of the plan and serve as a starting point for discussion with developers

  • Four community events titled “Wilmette Talks” featured presentations and panel discussions with local experts on various planning themes, followed by discussion from community members

    Four community events titled “Wilmette Talks” featured presentations and panel discussions with local experts on various planning themes, followed by discussion from community members

  • Visual summary of key findings from responses to a community poll focused on sustainability and transportation

    Visual summary of key findings from responses to a community poll focused on sustainability and transportation