PRESIDENT'S LETTER

Dear Illinois Colleagues and Friends,

It is my absolute honor to introduce the Illinois Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects’ Folio 2021. This year, Folio showcases not only the impeccable talent of our awardwinning professionals and students throughout the state of Illinois, but also the resilience, passion and dedication of our professionals through these unprecedented times.

Although this has been a less-thanconventional Presidential term, this perfect storm of failing economic, social and political systems forced me into a journey to reach my most authentic expression of leadership. What I saw as a Latina immigrant woman through these incredibly times had nothing, yet everything to do with Landscape Architecture. Inequities in access to quality healthcare, public green spaces, and resilient infrastructure; disproportionality of the value of the non-White, lower and working class human life; with guilt and responsibility weighing heaviest on the most vulnerable and helpless of communities. These were not new happenings, but for many reasons, we were seeing a constant and increased daylighting of these issues. As the first Latina President of ILASLA, I was glad to take this as an opportunity to be an agent for forward movement, to be a worthy advocate, and to show a different face of what leadership can look like. Ultimately, was fortunate and humbled to be among a fantastic group of volunteers on our Executive Board, who welcomed my leadership, and believed in my vision for the future of the Chapter and the industry.

Although growth might be more difficult to quantify this year, I am incredibly proud of the progress we have made as a Chapter locally, and with our national exposure. One of the most important recent achievements was earlier this summer - our dedicated Advocacy Committee was finally able to push the reinstatement of the Landscape Architecture Title Act through with bipartisan support in both chambers. This would not have been possible without the strong advocacy and resilience by our Advocacy Chair, Mark Jirik, his many hardworking committee members, as well as the outspoken support by House Representative Theresa Mah and Senator Ram Villivalam.

For the last couple of years, our Chapter has been highly represented with several crucial leadership roles within the National structure. Two of our ILASLA Past Presidents, Bradley McCauley and Keven Graham are serving as Vice Presidents of ASLA - VP of Membership and VP of Government Affairs, respectively. Their contributions to the national dialogue surrounding both of these important topics has been invaluable. Along with those critical positions of leadership, ILASLA Past President Susan Jacobson and I had the honor of working beside four other ASLA members on the CEO Search Committee, which led to the eventual hiring of ASLA’s new CEO and Executive Vice President, Torey Carter-Conneen. Having our Illinois leaders in these important decision-making roles sets us apart, not only as a Chapter which cultivates diverse leadership, but also also pushes our region’s opportunities and challenges to the forefront of the industry at large.

As we close out another year, I hope we are all able to take the recent challenges as an opportunity for growth and renewal. Although I could go on and on about the progress we were able to make throughout the year, I want to challenge you to reach out to one of our amazing Executive Committee members to find out more about what we’ve done, and get more involved in volunteering! Without all of us who dedicate time to push forward the mission and vision of the ASLA, it will never be what we want and need it to be. Let’s push each other to grow and adapt, to push the boundaries of what leadership looks like, and to continue to cement Illinois as the thought leaders and exemplary professionals we are.

Thank you all, and may we all stay safe, healthy, and joyful as we finish out 2021.

Sincerely,

Magdalena Aravena, asla, pla ILASLA President

2020 In Summary

2020 was a challenging year for the world. The COVID-19 pandemic forever changed the way the world conducts business. ILASLA was fortunate to have many, if not all of the technical requirements to continue providing services to members and friends. Educational webinars and meetings moved to 100% virtual on-line.

This year also saw the loss of the Illinois Title Act. This loss makes Illinois the only deregulated state in the nation for landscape architecture. Shortened sessions in state congress due to COVID-19 added to the already difficult situation initially brought on by legislators’ political missteps. The ILASLA board worked throughout the year to meet with legislators and engage new allies to get the Illinois Title Act vote on the table before the end of the year.

390

*ACTIVE MEMBERS

16

SPONSORSHIP PARTNERS SUPPORTED EVENTS

EDUCATION

24

326 LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS

17

ASSOCIATE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS

32 AFFILIATE, CORPORATE & HONORARY MEMBERS

34

FELLOWS & EMERITUS

9

INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIPS STRENGTHENED

AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS (AIA)

AMERICAN PLANNING ASSOCIATION (APA)

ILLINOIS GREEN INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION (IGIA)

ILLINOIS LANDSCAPE CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION (ILCA)

ILLINOIS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE PROGRAM (IIT)

JB TRAINING

MILLENNIUM PARK FOUNDATION

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE PROGRAM (UIUC)

STORM WATER SOLUTIONS (SWS)

With a year that could easily have been swept aside, the Illinois Chapter was determined to provide access, services, and education to its members. Live events were postponed, including Celebration+, but each month provided on-line webinars and social activities, all free of charge for members.

76% CHICAGOLAND MEMBERS

19% SUBURBAN AND STATE-WIDE MEMBERS

5% OUT OF STATE MEMBERS

ADVOCACY

Throughout the year, the Executive and Advocacy Committee worked to raise funds for legislative efforts and to contract a lobbyist; fundraising will continue throughout the process.

PDH EDUCATION CREDITS OFFERED THROUGH ILASLA STUDENT OUTREACH

69

STUDENT MEMBERS

NETWORKING

4 ILASLA NETWORKING EVENTS

7 EMERGING PROFESSIONAL AND STUDENT EVENTS

2 SERVICE EVENTS