FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Governor Pritzker Backs Planning for Iconic Lake County 'Greenway' With Proposed Funding in New State Budget
Elated local advocates praise Governor, Lake County's legislative delegation, County Board members, and municipal officials for critical support
A proposal to create a nature trail and natural area for Lake County – a destination heralded as a “scenic jewel” – advanced forward Wednesday when Governor JB Pritzker included funds to plan for the site in the Fiscal Year 2025 budget submitted to the Illinois General Assembly.
Pritzker’s proposal would allocate $1 million to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to prepare a master land use plan to preserve the vital band of open space in central Lake County and make it accessible as a public amenity. A state task force recommended in 2022 to transform state property originally purchased for the now-defunct Route 53 Tollway into a state park or “greenway.”
The major step forward for the new greenway was greeted with jubilation by local and regional advocates, who paid tribute to the Governor and his administration; Lake County’s legislative delegation; County elected officials; municipal Mayors; and grassroots leaders who were instrumental in reaching this funding milestone.
“I am grateful to Governor Pritzker for his continued leadership in defending our natural spaces,” said Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart. “Ensuring that this vital greenway is protected is of the highest importance for our board. Lake County is home to more endangered species than any other county in the state of Illinois, and the forests, prairies, wetlands, and lakes in this corridor play a critical role in supporting our rich biodiversity. By funding the greenway’s master plan, Governor Pritzker is taking the essential next step to protect this important open space. This would not be possible without the decades of unwavering support from advocates who had a vision for what the land could be, if only it were protected. I thank them for their commitment, and their foresight.”
The proposed Greenway features a mosaic of natural treasures, including flourishing meadows, creeks, ponds, and sanctuary for wildlife. The site would incorporate the approximately 12-mile linear land corridor where the Route 53 extension was planned before its extinction, linking the communities of Long Grove, Hawthorn Woods, Mundelein, and Grayslake.
“This is a landmark moment for the Village of Long Grove, in every sense of the expression,” said Bill Jacob, President of the Village of Long Grove. “For decades, our residents have been at the forefront of the effort to preserve this venerable landscape, and the support that Governor Pritzker, our state lawmakers, our County Board representatives, and my fellow municipal leaders have committed to the Greenway honors their legacy, while putting the Village of Long Grove and our neighbors in position to maximize the value of our natural heritage. I couldn’t be more thrilled.”
Leaders of local conservation groups echoed that sentiment.
“A greenway will forever protect one of the most scenic landscapes in Lake County and unleash its value as an accessible conservation area that residents can enjoy, all while spurring economic development,” said Chris Kessler, Director of Policy at Openlands. “With this proposed investment, Governor Pritzker continues to show he's a national climate leader, embracing this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to ensure cleaner air and water, protect natural habitats and wildlife, and enrich lives for generations to come.”
In budgeting money to study the Greenway, the Pritzker administration embraced the findings of a state task force, which in late 2022 recommended that the state fund a working group of local and regional stakeholders to plan for the conversion of the land into a protected natural area accessible to the public. That was followed in early 2023 with the Lake County Board’s resounding vote in favor of a resolution supporting the Greenway.
“Governor Pritzker’s support 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,” said Sierra Club Illinois Director Jack Darin. “We look forward to working with IDNR to bring the Greenway to life, and the day when everyone can enjoy these beautiful landscapes in the heart of Lake County.”
Pritzker’s proposed $1 million allocation to IDNR would fund initial collaboration on the character of the site and the additional investment needed to prepare it for public access. The budgeted funding comes as groundswell of grassroots support for the Greenway has surfaced in recent years, led by a coalition of community residents, conservation organizations, and civic groups.
“We are profoundly grateful to the Governor, his administration, the elected officials, local villages and the many others who have helped us reach this important milestone,” said Barbara Klipp, Executive Director of Midwest Sustainability Group, based in Grayslake. “For decades, the communities of Lake County have fought to protect this regionally significant treasure. We look forward to working together with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the local communities to protect the fragile ecosystems, scenic landscapes and natural resources within this greenway and to create a public amenity for all to enjoy while protecting our communities and enhancing our local economy.”