Bill
HR 479
Deeply expresses support for a contiguous Great Lakes Waterfront Trail linking shoreline communities and urges interstate coordination to develop a shared regional trail.
Status: Resolution Adopted
Introduced: January 16, 2025
Classification: Resolution (non‑binding)
Related: S 561 (companion)
Purpose
- The resolution expresses support for the creation of a U.S. Great Lakes Waterfront Trail — a connected recreation corridor along the Great Lakes shoreline — and urges Illinois state agencies to coordinate with other states to develop a shared identity for the regional trail.
Key provisions and content
- Expresses support for ongoing work toward establishment of a contiguous Great Lakes Waterfront Trail linking shoreline communities and recreation routes across the Great Lakes region.
- Notes ongoing mapping by the National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance program of a potential route through all eight Great Lakes states.
- Cites benefits of waterfront/recreation trails: connecting people with nature, improving public health, promoting recreation and active transportation, and fostering local economic activity.
- References an existing Canadian Great Lakes Waterfront Trail and existing Illinois Lake Michigan shoreline trails (e.g., Lakefront Path, Green Bay Trail, McClory Trail) as examples or complements.
- References a 2019 study (Friends of the Chicago River) estimating significant economic and job benefits from establishing blue/green corridors along the Chicago River area (the text as filed attributes roughly $192 million in economic benefits and about 1,614 full‑time equivalent jobs over a stated timespan).
- Urges Illinois state agencies to continue coordination with other states on a shared identity for the regional trail.
Who would be affected
- The resolution is symbolic and non‑binding; it does not appropriate funds or create regulatory obligations. Its direct “effect” is to signal state legislative support and to encourage interagency and interstate coordination.
- Indirectly affected parties include shoreline municipalities, parks and recreation agencies, trail planners, tourism and outdoor recreation businesses, conservation groups, and communities along Illinois’ Lake Michigan shoreline.
Procedural / timeline notes
- Introduced January 16, 2025. Committee referrals and calendar placements are recorded in the file (Agriculture committee and various rules/local calendars).
- Reported enrolled April 1, 2025; adopted/laided before the House March 31, 2025 (records show multiple calendar actions and final adoption dates through October 2025).
- As a resolution, it does not establish a program, appropriate funding, or change law — it expresses the legislative body’s position and encourages coordination.
Important caveat about source material
- The provided document appears to combine or conflate text from more than one resolution (including a separate commendation for Kathryn Fletcher, CPA). Sponsor and procedural entries also mix names and jurisdictions. The substantive summary above focuses only on the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail material as presented; consult the official enrolled resolution text in the jurisdiction’s legislative record for authoritative language and sponsor information.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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