Gov. Jim Edgar Has Named Matteson
Illinois' Newest Certified City

"Certified City designation is not granted lightly," the governor said. "Communities winning this honor must prove they excel in five categories considered essential to economic development — business climate and services, employment and training, community development, financial assistance and marketing.

"The people of Matteson can be proud of their efforts. The village has demonstrated its commitment to careful, long-range planning designed to ensure that future growth enhances Matteson's overall quality of life," Edgar said.

"It is a pleasure to congratulate Matteson on its designation as Illinois' newest Certified City."

Robert Saksa, marketing division manager of the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs (DCCA), the agency which administers the Certified Cities program, presented the Certified Cities Award to Matteson on behalf of the Edgar Administration at a luncheon Sept. 25 at the Matteson Holiday Inn.

"This is such an exciting occasion," Matteson Village President Mark Stricker said in accepting the award. "Out of some 1,300 communities in the state, this is indeed a rather exclusive honor . . . I'm sure Joel Matteson (the 10th governor of Illinois and the namesake of the village) would be very pleased to see his community 136 years later."

"Matteson calls itself the 'keystone of the South Suburbs'," Saksa said. "Matteson is the employment center for more than 2,100 full-time employees of many of the nation's top corporations, among them Prudential, Deltar-Illinois Tool Works, Pathway Financial, ITT Commercial Finance Corporation, Chemical Bank, Allstate, the Travelers, Massachusetts Mutual Life, Ace Hardware, Bakers Square Restaurant Corporation and Dean Witter.

"New developments promise to further extend Matteson's prominence. Three mixed-use commercial/office parks will provide 2.8 million square feet of space, while the first phase of a 2.1 million-square-foot industrial development is underway.

"Matteson is attractive to its residents, as well as its businesses. The community boasts more than 100 acres in six neighborhood parks, a community center, access to world-class cultural activities and a healthy mix of retailing," Saksa said.

"As the newest Certified City, Matteson joins an

December 1991 / Illinois Municipal Review / Page 17

elite list of communities that have proven they have the resources and the commitment to work with people and businesses to promote positive economic development. I offer my congratulations."

Jan M. Grayson, DCCA Director, said Certified Cities must document their excellence in applications submitted to DCCA. The applications are reviewed by a team of state and private-sector economic development experts to determine whether the community has satisfactorily met the program's goals. Upon designation, Certified Cities are recognized by the state with a road sign and plaque. They also may note the designation on community letterheads, in advertising materials, and in publications.

To retain designation, all Certified Cities must be recertified every three years.

Forty-eight communities have been certified since the program originated. They include Decatur, Des Plaines, Bartlett, Charleston, Quincy, Urbana, Schaumburg, Springfield, Buffalo Grove, Moline, Elmhurst, Sterling, Naperville, Sauk Village, Mattoon, McHenry, Champaign, Macomb, West Chicago, Carol Stream, Carthage, Palatine, Glendale Heights, Woodstock, Calumet City, Evanston, St. Charles, Wheeling, Aurora, Rockford, Lincoln, Salem, Bolingbrook, Rantoul, Orland Park, Oak Park, Taylorville, Dolton, Jerseyville, Pana, Dixon, Arlington Heights, Franklin Park, Oakland, Belvidere, Elk Grove Village and Matteson. •

Page 18 / Illinois Municipal Review / December 1991