SR0985 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0985 LRB103 40657 LAW 73379 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The history of Chicago's Du Sable Lake Shore Drive dates back to the 19th century, when Chicagoans advocated for the creation of a scenic lake shore roadway; this concept was incorporated into architect and urban planner Daniel Burnham's 1909 Plan of Chicago; and

WHEREAS, Over time, Du Sable Lake Shore Drive was extended to connect Chicago's downtown, north side, and south side lake fronts, including beaches, parks, and recreational areas, becoming an iconic and treasured part of Chicago and providing access to nature and recreation; and

WHEREAS, Du Sable Lake Shore Drive also serves as a critical thoroughfare for mobility, moving tens of thousands of vehicles per day and thousands of people utilizing public transportation; and

WHEREAS, Climate change driven by global warming has created challenges for people all over the world, including in Chicago, which has faced erosion along the shorelines of Lake Michigan and deterioration of structures designed to provide protection for Du Sable Lake Shore Drive; and

WHEREAS, The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) are considering proposals to redesign and reimagine Du Sable Lake Shore Drive, parts of which contain infrastructure constructed during the tenure of President Franklin Roosevelt as part of his administration's New Deal programs; and

WHEREAS, A redesign and re-imagination of Du Sable Lake Shore Drive offers the opportunity to ensure that Du Sable Lake Shore Drive can be a lake front transportation corridor that serves residents, attracts tourists, and provides economic benefits and does so in a climate-friendly, efficient, and reliable manner; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to transform Du Sable Lake Shore Drive into a true boulevard and to be creative and forward-thinking in their redesign of Du Sable Lake Shore Drive, to incorporate safe and efficient multimodal transportation throughout Du Sable Lake Shore Drive for pedestrians, cyclists, public transit users, and drivers, to emphasize green urban mobility, to ensure that any proposed changes are considered as part of a comprehensive plan for efficient traffic management and movement of people, including during special events and weather challenges, to create more green space and recreational opportunities for Chicagoans as well as visitors, and to repurpose, where possible, existing infrastructure as part of expanded recreational opportunities; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to CDOT and IDOT.