Region 1 Planning Council (R1) is the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the Rockford Region.
The MPO plans and coordinates decisions regarding the Rockford Metropolitan Planning Area’s (MPA) surface transportation system. It is responsible for conducting a continuing, cooperative, and comprehensive (3-C) transportation planning process and fulfilling the following five core functions:
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Establish a fair and impartial setting for effective regional transportation decision making in the metropolitan area
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Evaluate transportation alternatives, scaled to the size and complexity of the region
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Maintain a long-range transportation plan covering a 20-year planning horizon
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Develop a four-year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and prioritize projects
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Involve the public
Key Projects
Structure
The MPO is governed by an interagency agreement known as the MPO Cooperative Agreement. It was written and mutually adopted by the Cities of Rockford, Loves Park, and Belvidere; Winnebago and Boone Counties; the Village of Machesney Park; Rockford Mass Transit District; and the State of Illinois through the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT).
The MPO's activities are directed by a Policy Committee made of the top elected officials from the above entities plus the IDOT Region 2 Engineer and the Chairman of the Rockford Mass Transit District Board. The Policy Committee receives recommendations and assistance from a 20-member Technical Committee made of planners and/or engineers from the above entities plus various other local partners, such as the Chicago Rockford International Airport and the Rock River Water Reclamation District.
Much of the technical work is conducted by Region 1 Planning Council staff, occasionally outsourced to professional consulting firms.
