FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, December 16, 2022
Contact: Hannah Flath, hannahlee.flath@sierraclub.org, (860) 634-0225
Lake County, IL. -- Today, the Illinois Route 53 Land Expansion Alternative Use Task Force recommended that the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) transfer all of the state-owned land originally reserved for the Illinois Route 53 extension to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The Task Force voted in favor of this resolution, which would preserve the state-owned land as a protected, open-space green corridor. The Task Force also recommended that the Illinois General Assembly form a working group next month to study the feasibility of conserving the land as a State Park or State Trail.
After decades of contention surrounding the future of the land once slated to be paved over in the controversial Rt. 53 Tollway Extension, bipartisan leadership took a historic step towards protecting this land for future generations.
In response, Sierra Club Illinois Director Jack Darin released the following statement:
“This recommendation is a major step toward a fantastic new amenity for Lake County communities that will offer opportunities for outdoor recreation, flood protection from increasing storms, and better quality of life for residents.
“It is exciting to see the broad support from local governments, community organizations, and state elected officials for this project, especially after decades of division over a prohibitively expensive proposed highway. Now, we can work together with IDNR to plan for a new state park or trail on this land, which will enhance connectivity throughout central Lake County and provide open space for recreation, wildlife sanctuary, flood water retention, carbon sequestration, and natural splendor.
“We applaud the Route 53 Task Force for voting in favor of transferring the land from IDOT to IDNR, and thank Governor Pritzker for creating this opportunity for Lake County. We look forward to working with the Governor and other stakeholders to make the Greenway a reality for our communities and future generations.”