SUSTAINABLE ORGANIZATIONS

ILLINOIS ALLIANCE OF BYWAYS 

Illinois Statewide Project 

IllINOIS


2007 A W A R D  W I N N E R  f o r 

S U S T A I N A B L E  O R G A N I z A T I O N S 

Sustainability is more than a buzzword for 
the newly formed Illinois Alliance of Byways. 
The growing number of major corridors with 
National Scenic Byway designation convinced 
the State’s byway leaders to form an alliance, 
anticipating that byways as a collective force 
would have a better chance of gaining needed 
support at the State and Federal levels than 
individual byway groups. 

PARTNERS IN SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGIES 

After forming the Illinois Alliance of Byways in early 2006, the 
members issued a joint request for funding from the Illinois 
Bureau of Tourism that resulted in a $40,000 budget allocation 
for each byway for FY 2007. The byways then immediately 
developed two joint projects that applied a portion of their 
funds: six-foot banners that share a common design theme 
but highlight individual byways and a rack card promoting all 
seven byways. Both of these promotion tools were rolled out 
at the Illinois State Fair in August 2006. 

INNOVATION IN APPROACH

The Illinois Alliance of Byways was a breakthrough approach 
for sustainability. The funds were the first ever received by the 
byways from the State. The Federal Highway Administration 
had issued all previous dollars. Expanding potential sources for 
funding enhances the members’ viability. The Alliance has also 
brought together the Illinois Bureau of Tourism and the Illinois 
Department of Transportation to discuss a future partnership 
to support byways. Through these efforts, the Alliance hopes 
to implement projects that will contribute to the long-term 
sustainability of Illinois’ byways. 

Model of cooperAtIve leAdershIp 

Bonnie Heimbach, Executive Director of the Northern Illinois 
Tourism Development Office, said in her letter of support for 
this award, “Thankfully, our State’s leadership understands the 
necessity for supporting these great byways and accepted the 
challenge made by the Illinois Alliance of Byways. This support 
is helping to ensure that they become and remain self-sustaining 
organizations, while they continue to increase economic 
development through tourism throughout the State.” 

This model of cooperation among byways clearly demonstrates 
that a unified approach can bring sustainability benefits for 
all members, and that joining together to support common 
efforts encourages future partnerships that can further fortify 
long-term sustainability. 

Photo courtesy of deverman Advertising 

Photo courtesy of cindy Patterson 


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