Michael Blue, FAICP
Principal, Teska Associates
Michael has been a planner for over 35 years. That time working in both the public and private sectors of planning have given him a broad perspective of the field and how planners can best serve communities. Prior to joining Teska in 2013, Michael was the Director of Community Development in Highland Park, IL for 11 years. There he managed a department of 30 staff, worked on a range of planning projects, refined the Department's organization, supported City Council and Commission activities, and managed passage and implementation of the City's affordable housing ordinance. Prior to Highland Park Michael was Deputy Community Development Director for the Village of Mount Prospect, IL, managing planning, building permit and code enforcement efforts. Michael been actively involved in Illinois and national leadership of APA. He is the formerly the Chair of the national APA’s Planning Officials Committee and the Illinois Planning Officials Development Officer. Michael has BAUP and MUP degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign.
Laurie Marston, FAICP
Advisor, Chaddick Institute, DePaul University
Laurie has over 40 years of experience and has worked as a consultant for more than 18 years, providing planning and economic development services to municipalities, businesses, developers and nonprofit organizations. She worked in zoning and community development for local governments for 22 years, including nine years as Director of Community Development for the Village of Wilmette, Illinois. Laurie is a past member of the Evanston Plan Commission and a current member of the American Planning Association and Lambda Alpha International Land Economics Society. In 2015, she was selected as the LAI Member of the Year for her strong leadership, guidance and steadfast support. In 2011, the Ely Chapter (Chicago) recognized her with the Distinguished Chapter Service Award for excellence in publishing the book The Plan of Chicago @100. The American Planning Association – Illinois Chapter honored her with the Distinguished Service Award for selflessly providing robust plan commission training in 2012. Laurie has a B.A. from Bucknell University and a M.A. from the University of Chicago.