This manual is intended for use as a technical reference by developers, planners, engineers, government officials and others involved in land use planning, building site development, and natural resource conservation in rural and urban communities and developing areas. The standards and associated materials describe best management practices (BMPs) for controlling non-point source pollution impacts that affect ecosystems in existing communities and developing areas.

The manual includes an array of BMPs in the following broad categories:

• soil erosion and sediment control

• stormwater management

• green infrastructure

• special area protection

Beyond conventional BMP considerations, the manual addresses fish and wildlife habitat improvement, visual and environmental quality, and other relevant ecosystem enhancement applications. Where previous BMP manuals have tended to focus on limited aspects of construction site erosion or stormwater runoff control, this manual is designed for more comprehensive, multi-objective ecosystem protection and enhancement.

This Illinois Urban Manual is intended for use as a technical reference by developers, contractors, planners, engineers, government officials and others involved in inspection of soil erosion and sediment control best management practices on construction sites in Illinois. This  manual was written and reviewed by members of the Illinois Urban Manual Technical Review Committee (TRC) and Steering Committee (SC).

The initiative to update the IUM is a cooperative effort. The TRC and the SC are actively tasked with the revision of the manual. The SC is comprised of the following public agencies representing the entire State of Illinois: AISWCD, IEPA, Soil & Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs), Illinois Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Land & Water Resources (IDA-BLWR), Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), United States Army Corp of Engineers Chicago District (USACE), and United States Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS). The TRC is comprised of the above mentioned public agencies in addition to the following public and private professionals: Illinois Department of Natural Resources-Office of Water Resources (IDNR-OWR), environmental consultants and engineers.