Bill Text: IL HR0616 | 2011-2012 | 97th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Recognizes the importance of Shabbona Lake State Recreation Area for the people of the State of Illinois and thanks the park's staff for their hard work in maintaining this beautiful area.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 1)

Status: (Passed) 2011-11-09 - Resolution Adopted [HR0616 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2011-HR0616-Introduced.html

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HR0616 LRB097 14437 GRL 59644 r
HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Shabbona Lake State Park and Recreation Area
offers a peaceful and unspoiled natural haven located just west
of the Chicago metropolitan area, which includes 1,550 acres of
rolling grass-covered meadows, upland mesic woods, bottomland
woods, a native, undisturbed fen, and 318.8 acre man-made
fishing lake; and
WHEREAS, Originally, the park was home to tribes of Native
Americans and derives its name from Chief Shabbona; pioneer
settlement of the area began in the 1830s to utilize the rich
soils for farming; and
WHEREAS, In 1965, it was decided to develop the lake and
recreational area in Shabbona; land acquisition was begun in
1969; in 1973, the lake area was cleared of trees, the
shoreline was modified, and earthen fishing piers and fish
congregators were erected; by 1975, a 3,000-foot-long earthen
dam and a concrete spillway was completed and the lake was
formed; day use facilities were constructed in 1976 and
continue to serve the public today; and
WHEREAS, Areas of Shabbona Lake have been restored with
prairie grasses, such as Big Blue Stem, and prairie flowers,
such as purple cone flower; in addition, Shabbona Lake contains

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a 15-acre seasonal nesting area for migratory waterfowl, such
as canvasback, redhead, and pintail ducks, as well as Canada
geese; and
WHEREAS, Shabbona Lake has facilities for year-round
picnicking, camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, and winter
sports; and
WHEREAS, Shabbona Lake is a pilot site for accessibility;
all features of the park are accessible to those with physical
disabilities, including 8 campsites, the fishing pier and dock,
dove hunting stations, a 35-acre archery deer zone,
concessions, and a restaurant; and
WHEREAS, Local members of Lions Club International have
held an annual Handicapped Children's Fishing Derby since 1979
and a cross-county snow skiing event for the visually impaired -
Ski for Sight - since the early 1980s; and
WHEREAS, Shabbona Lake recently passed the 12 millionth
visitor and has over 425,000 visitors annually, making the park
the second largest tourist attraction for the area after
Northern Illinois University; and
WHEREAS, Shabbona Lake is the site of numerous
achievements, including 4 State of Illinois Record Muskie and 2

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State of Illinois Record Crappie catches; and
WHEREAS, Shabbona Lake is recognized as the "Muskie Capitol
of Illinois" and as "Illinois' Best Fishing Lake"; and
WHEREAS, Visitors at Shabbona Lake can view numerous
species of wildlife, including whitetail deer, fox, coyote,
raccoon, squirrels, turkey, waterfowl, and songbirds; and
WHEREAS, Shabbona Lake's great beauty and many
achievements are due in large part to the efforts of the park's
outstanding and dedicated volunteers and staff, and support
from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources; therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
we recognize the importance of Shabbona Lake State Park for the
people of the State of Illinois and thank the park's staff and
volunteers for their hard work in maintaining this beautiful
area; and be it further
RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
delivered to the Director of the Illinois Department of Natural
Resources and the Site Manager of Shabbona Lake State Park.