On January 16, 2003, IDOT held a public officials briefing to inform the counties and municipalities that the Prairie Parkway Preliminary Engineering Study was about to begin.

Following the briefing, the study team began a series of one-on-one meetings with the elected officials to learn about the community plans, answer questions about the study, and collect opinions on transportation issues in the study area. The study team also collected opinions on effective methods of continuing public involvement.

Meetings that have been held with the following counties and municipalities through the end of October are:

These meetings are an important part of the process, as they allow the counties and municipalities to speak with IDOT officials about the study, ask questions about the approach to the forecasting, and discuss the land use plans they have developed for the next 30 years.

Agency and municipal meetings are being held to discuss and coordinate specific project issues with those communities that would be affected by the study findings. Nearly early all counties and municipalities are updating their comprehensive plans. This results in a study that is current and representative of the intended land uses for the area.