Program looks into the past, then to Lake County's future

Stretches of rural character still can be found in Lake County, but much of the past is preserved only in photos and memories.

A lot has changed in the past half-century, and the landscape will continue to evolve in the coming decades. Next week, the public has an opportunity to look back -- and ahead -- in a unique program.

"Changing Lake County: The Last 50 Years and the Next 50" will be presented by the American Association of University Women as one of its periodic public events. It is at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 17 at the Libertyville Civic Center, 135 W.t Church St.

The Libertyville-Mundelein Historical Society also is a sponsor.

The past will be represented in photos selected by Arlene Lane and Sonia Schoenfield, who have more than 40 years experience as research librarians with the Cook Memorial Library District.

The future will be envisioned by Randall S. Blankenhorn, executive director of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, which is responsible for comprehensive planning in seven northeastern Illinois counties.

Longtime Libertyville resident and AAUW member Peg Ransom came up with the idea about eight months ago.

"I am a bit of a futurist," she said. "I don't know what sparked the idea -- traffic?"

Special invitations have been sent to local leaders.

"It seems to me this is well beyond the interest of Libertyville. It's a county interest," Ransom said. "The look ahead is because all Lake County residents have to own the future and do more than sit in their car stalled."

Lane and Schoenfield, who have been honored for their local history projects available on Digital Past, will juxtapose then and now through images and memorabilia, such as Carl Cizek's photo collection of the 1950s.

Special attention will be paid to elections, entertainment, schools, shops, fashions, cars, telephones, computers, farms and developments.

The focus will shift ahead as Blankenhorn previews what is characterized as the region's first truly comprehensive plan.

The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning was created in 2005 by state law to replace separate planning agencies. Its 2040 regional plan is scheduled to be complete by 2010.

"This new plan is the first one that integrate land use and transportation planning," said Tom Garritano, spokesman for the group. "What we're in right now is a visioning stage."

Forecasts for 2030 estimate Lake County's population would increase to about 842,000 from about 644,000 listed in the 2000 census.