Phil Peters (1939-2000)

Phillip D. Peters, 61, executive director of the Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission (NIPC) from 1992 to 1998, and chair of the Chicago Region Biodiversity Council (Chicago Wilderness) in 1998, died April 18 at his home in Evanston, Illinois.

"Long before the phrase 'Chicago Wilderness' was coined, Phil recognized the richness of nature in the Chicago region and its contribution to the quality of life we enjoy here," said current Chicago Wilderness Chair John Rogner. "His efforts helped make NIPC a leader in the development of tools for sustaining nature through the development process. He did not hesitate when asked to step up and lead the Chicago Region Biodiversity Council, and I was in absolute awe of his continued focus and leadership even after falling ill. He was one of those remarkable people who could lead from behind. Phil was a true gentleman who was held in the highest regard by everyone on the Council."

Following his retirement, NIPC established the Phillip D. Peters Planning Fellowship to be awarded annually to a graduate student in regional planning or a related field.

Keith Sbiral, a graduate student in the Urban and Regional Planning Department of the University of Iowa in Iowa City, has been awarded the first fellowship and will work for three months as a member of a NIPC staff project team. In May, Sbiral was assigned to NIPC’s Natural Resources Department and his projects include working on the Strategic Plan for Water Resource Management and providing assistance to the Fox River Ecosystem Partnership on environmentally sensitive planning techniques for local government officials.