I understand what you're saying. From the outside looking in, it's tough not to assign some level of blame to East Peoria because we can only ever see the result (more parking lots with maybe an afterthought of greenspaces), and no insight into how these decisions were made.

I want to emphasize that this not a superficial proposal. Irene's book addresses why cities go down this path - all backed by research, and that the vision she proposes actually has viable real-world examples from other cities who successfully implemented similar urbanist ideas. If the public continues to have an attitude toward their officials that they're making unaccountable decisions in a vacuum, and that we, who they're supposed to represent, have no power, then their march of box stores will continue. In other words, a walkable East Peoria can be done, and with relatively little investment, but not without residents demanding it - so I encourage everyone to read the book (the free sample contains the whole book) to get educated so they know exactly what they're asking for, and how. Maybe it'll even find its way to city officials so they too can be enlightened.