About
About The GIS Consortium
The GIS Consortium is an organization of Chicago-area communities unified by a common goal: to share resources, information, staffing, and technology so that municipalities can optimize the value of geographic information systems (GIS).
GIS helps communities automate and improve local government business processes, from mapping incidents to supporting infrastructure systems and projects. GIS is a visualization technology that integrates information, uncovers complex information relationships, and supports local government decision-making. GIS results in better understanding, more effective communications, and greater operational efficiencies.
The GIS Consortium creates value for its members by identifying opportunities for minimizing cost and risk. Members do not pay annual dues, but apply their entire GIS investment directly to solutions. All intellectual property developed by the GIS Consortium belongs to its members.
The GIS Consortium is a proven solution for communities who are increasingly being challenged to do more with less. Its collaborative approach reduces costs while improving public services.
MISSION
To reduce the cost and risk of GIS for small- and medium-sized communities.
VISION
To create value for our membership through collaboration, sharing, and smart solutions.
VALUES
- Put Residents First
- Specialize and Partner
- Make It Happen
- Constant Innovation
- People Drive Success
HISTORY
In 1994, the City of Highland Park formed a GIS program based on an in-house staffing approach. Although the system achieved its early objectives, staff attrition and stagnation put the program in jeopardy.
In 1998, Municipal GIS Partners, Inc. (MGP) founder Thomas Thomey introduced a staffing concept to David Limardi, City Manager of Highland Park. This model was based on a shared-staffing approach that would provide multiple communities access to the necessary professional resources without the full-time cost. By combining staffing, communities could target their investment on data, solutions, and staff development.
The City of Highland Park invited other communities to help develop the model, and in 1999 the GIS Consortium was formed with the following four communities:
• City of Highland Park • Village of Glencoe • Village of Lincolnshire • City of Park Ridge
LEADERSHIP
The GIS Consortium Board elects officers every two-years to provide leadership and innovation. The current Board officers are:
Annette Cardiff
Chuck Meyer
Charity Jones
Nikki Larson
Marc Talavera
FAQs
Who owns the data?
The community member owns its own data.
Who owns the software applications?
Software developed for the GIS Consortium, or its community members, is owned by all member communities.
How many people does the GIS Consortium have on staff?
None.
How often are the service providers evaluated?
All service providers are evaluated annually by the GIS Consortium Board to ensure they are offering the best value the market has to offer.
How large does the GIS Consortium plan to become?
The model was built to scale so that every additional member accrues value to the existing members. We continue to see value by continually dividing up the pie.
GOVERNANCE
Each member community has one vote, regardless of their population, geographic size, or membership date. Each community owns its data and has equal rights to intellectual property. Data sharing among members is encouraged to facilitate greater efficiencies, better business processes, and mutual aid support.