Governor Quinn Announces $1.3 Million for Shoreline Stabilization at Illinois Beach State Park

ZION – Governor Pat Quinn today announced a capital investment of more than $1.3 million for shoreline stabilization at Illinois Beach State Park in Zion, part of his Illinois Jobs Now! capital construction program. The project is part of Governor Quinn’s commitment to create jobs and drive Illinois’ economy forward.

“Our investment will help reduce sand erosion and allow hundreds of thousands of visitors each year to continue enjoying this pristine stretch of Lake Michigan shoreline,” Governor Quinn said. “The project will also employ a number of construction workers, which will help the local economy.”

The project involves the construction and installation of onshore and offshore protective measures to allow natural movement of sediment without eroding the existing shoreline. The sand that has accumulated at the North Beach area will also be removed and redistributed. Copenhaver Construction, Inc. of Gilberts, Illinois was the lowest of four bidders for the project at $1,378,000. The project will be overseen by the Illinois Capital Development Board.

Illinois Beach State Park consists of 2,909 acres and 5.8 miles of Lake Michigan Shoreline. It is administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

“Illinois’ coastal habitats are highly diverse and very special places,” Illinois Department of Natural Resources Director Marc Miller said. “This project will allow us to give nature a helping hand and protect Lake Michigan’s valuable treasures.”

“Protecting the environment and creating jobs are not mutually exclusive,” State Senator Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) said. “This investment will maintain and improve public access to one of Lake County’s most valuable natural resources.”

“Protecting our Natural Resources is a top priority,” State Representative JoAnn Osmond (R-Gurnee) said. “We need to look for more ways to assist in keeping our shoreline in good repair to preserve Illinois Beach State Park for generations to come”.

The project is part of Governor Quinn’s $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now! program, which will support more than 439,000 jobs over six years. Illinois Jobs Now! is the largest capital construction program in Illinois history, and is one of the largest capital construction programs in the nation.