HR0616 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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 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 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.