SR0230 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0230 LRB104 13150 MST 25279 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Great Lakes are the largest chain of freshwater lakes in the world; and

WHEREAS, Canada's Great Lakes Waterfront Trail stretches from Lake Superior to the St. Lawrence River at the Ontario-Québec border, more than 2,250 miles, and is a greenway route of interconnecting roads and off-road trails, joining more than 150 communities, including Indigenous nations; and

WHEREAS, There are currently three established or soon-to-be established pedestrian and/or bicycling international crossings; and

WHEREAS, The National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance program is currently mapping a potential route for a recreation trail along the Great Lakes in all eight states; and

WHEREAS, Recreation trails connect people with nature, improve public health, and foster economic activity; and

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois currently has trail access along its 63 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, including sections of the American Discovery Trail, the Lake Front Path, the Green Bay Trail, and the McClory Trail; and

WHEREAS, A 2019 study performed for the Friends of the Chicago River found that establishing a blue/green corridor, waterfront lands that provide people with a place to play, allow for the natural movement of wildlife, and include open space to absorb and filter rainwater, along the Chicago River would create over $192 million in total economic benefits annually over a 15-year timespan and support over 1,614 full-time equivalent jobs annually; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we support the work being done towards the creation of the U.S. Great Lakes Waterfront Trail; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge Illinois state agencies to continue to coordinate with other states on a shared identity for this regional trail.