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1
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The Illinois State Toll Highway Authority
3(Authority) has been asked to consider a northern extension of
4IL Route 53 through central Lake County since the early 1960s;
5the Authority created a Blue Ribbon Advisory Council to develop
6a consensus as to whether the Tollway should build the road,
7and if so, to guide the planning and potential building of an
8IL-53 and IL-120 North Extension; and
 
9    WHEREAS, As noted in the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for
10Planning (CMAP) comprehensive regional plan, entitled GO TO
112040, an extension of Illinois Route 53 could ease congestion
12that has resulted from Lake County's rapid development in
13recent decades; the project could improve access and mobility
14in the county and in the region as a whole; GO TO 2040 calls for
15a 21st Century urban highway - a "modern boulevard" - with a
16smaller footprint to minimize potential negative impacts while
17protecting the natural environment and preserving the
18character of nearby communities; and
 
19    WHEREAS, This roadway is intended to serve central Lake
20County extending north from the terminus of IL-53 and Lake Cook
21Road for 12.5 miles to just south of IL-120; the extension
22would continue to the east, where it would tie into an existing
23interchange at US-41; the road would continue to the west and

 

 

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1terminate at U.S. 12; and
 
2    WHEREAS, Approximately 70% of the needed right of way is
3currently owned by the State; however, the size, configuration,
4and operation of the roadway have not been determined; the
5extension must coexist with dense existing residential
6development and projected commercial development, as well as
7wetlands, organic farms, and environmental resources
8throughout the corridor; and
 
9    WHEREAS, An extension of IL-53 and IL-120 provides an
10opportunity for the Authority to explore options for an
11entirely new roadway concept; the Advisory Council will be
12responsible for developing regional consensus on whether the
13Authority should move forward, the scope and configuration, the
14design and elements, and how to finance the project; the
15Council will focus on corridor design, storm water management,
16integration of transit, use of congestion pricing to manage
17demand, visual and noise impacts, and limited access for
18commercial vehicles; the Council includes public officials as
19well as representatives from business, labor, planning, and
20environmental groups; and
 
21    WHEREAS, The Authority has estimated the roadway cost for
22an extension of IL-53 and IL-120 at approximately $2.2 billion
23in 2010 dollars; however, this previous estimate assumed a 6-8

 

 

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1lane freeway facility, and did not include transit elements;
2and
 
3    WHEREAS, CMAP will be closely involved with the Blue Ribbon
4Advisory Council, serving as a partner with the Toll Highway
5Authority; CMAP will provide traffic projections and
6oversight, land use and environmental data and resources, and
7staff to offer perspectives for the Council's consideration;
8and
 
9    WHEREAS, A number of agencies have been involved in
10planning for improvements in the central Lake County corridor,
11with some planning efforts dating back to the 1970s; more
12recent studies have made specific recommendations regarding
13the size and basic design of the roadway; those results will
14provide a foundation of information as the Council considers
15options for design, land use, funding, and financing; and
 
16    WHEREAS, The report entitled "Illinois Route 53/120
17Project: Blue Ribbon Advisory Council Draft Resolution and
18Report" represents our view as to the necessity of building a
1921st century road in Lake County to serve the needs of
20residents and businesses; therefore, be it
 
21    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL
22ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 

 

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1CONCURRING HEREIN, that we adopt the principles and conclusions
2agreed to by the Advisory Council in its report entitled
3"Illinois Route 53/120 Project: Blue Ribbon Advisory Council
4Draft Resolution and Report", and we approve and support the
5construction of a road in the Route 53/120 corridor,
6conditioned upon the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority
7adhering to the design principles, alignments, and
8environmental commitments outlined in the report; and be it
9further
 
10    RESOLVED, That we request that the Illinois State Toll
11Highway Authority, in cooperation with federal, State, and
12local governments, continue to search for financing mechanisms
13that are consistent with those described in the report; and be
14it further
 
15    RESOLVED, That we express our sincere appreciation and
16gratitude to the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority Board of
17Directors and staff for creating the Advisory Council and
18supporting its work, and we encourage the Board to provide full
19consideration and quick action to implement the steps outlined
20in the report; and be it further
 
21    RESOLVED, That we request that the Illinois State Toll
22Highway Authority routinely report to the Advisory Council on
23its progress in realizing the recommended project, and to use

 

 

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1the advice of the Advisory Council as it proceeds; and be it
2further
 
3    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
4provided to the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority Board of
5Directors.