The 2020 Comprehensive Land Use and Resource Management Plan serves as Madison County’s Comprehensive Plan. The plan was adopted in 2000 and is the official plan for unincorporated Madison County as authorized by Illinois statutes.

The plan provides the public policy basis for making planning and development decisions. It ensures that development occurs in a manner consistent with the goals and objectives of Madison County and provides a framework for future growth.

The plan is regularly employed by the Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning & Development Committee when examining rezoning, subdivision, special use permit, and zoning variance applications, particularly in cases where a change of land use or density is proposed.

In order to continue to be effective and meet evolving land use objectives, comprehensive plans are generally updated every 5 to 10 years. Since the plan is over 10 years old and due to the high rate of growth in the last decade, Madison County’s plan requires an overall update and revision. Planning staff has begun evaluating components of the plan and will undertake a new comprehensive planning initiative this year.