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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, Shabbona Lake State Park and Recreation Area
3offers a peaceful and unspoiled natural haven located just west
4of the Chicago metropolitan area, which includes 1,550 acres of
5rolling grass-covered meadows, upland mesic woods, bottomland
6woods, a native, undisturbed fen, and 318.8 acre man-made
7fishing lake; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Originally, the park was home to tribes of Native
9Americans and derives its name from Chief Shabbona; pioneer
10settlement of the area began in the 1830s to utilize the rich
11soils for farming; and
 
12    WHEREAS, In 1965, it was decided to develop the lake and
13recreational area in Shabbona; land acquisition was begun in
141969; in 1973, the lake area was cleared of trees, the
15shoreline was modified, and earthen fishing piers and fish
16congregators were erected; by 1975, a 3,000-foot-long earthen
17dam and a concrete spillway was completed and the lake was
18formed; day use facilities were constructed in 1976 and
19continue to serve the public today; and
 
20    WHEREAS, Areas of Shabbona Lake have been restored with
21prairie grasses, such as Big Blue Stem, and prairie flowers,
22such as purple cone flower; in addition, Shabbona Lake contains

 

 

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1a 15-acre seasonal nesting area for migratory waterfowl, such
2as canvasback, redhead, and pintail ducks, as well as Canada
3geese; and
 
4    WHEREAS, Shabbona Lake has facilities for year-round
5picnicking, camping, hiking, fishing, hunting, and winter
6sports; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Shabbona Lake is a pilot site for accessibility;
8all features of the park are accessible to those with physical
9disabilities, including 8 campsites, the fishing pier and dock,
10dove hunting stations, a 35-acre archery deer zone,
11concessions, and a restaurant; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Local members of Lions Club International have
13held an annual Handicapped Children's Fishing Derby since 1979
14and a cross-county snow skiing event for the visually impaired -
15 Ski for Sight - since the early 1980s; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Shabbona Lake recently passed the 12 millionth
17visitor and has over 425,000 visitors annually, making the park
18the second largest tourist attraction for the area after
19Northern Illinois University; and
 
20    WHEREAS, Shabbona Lake is the site of numerous
21achievements, including 4 State of Illinois Record Muskie and 2

 

 

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1State of Illinois Record Crappie catches; and
 
2    WHEREAS, Shabbona Lake is recognized as the "Muskie Capitol
3of Illinois" and as "Illinois' Best Fishing Lake"; and
 
4    WHEREAS, Visitors at Shabbona Lake can view numerous
5species of wildlife, including whitetail deer, fox, coyote,
6raccoon, squirrels, turkey, waterfowl, and songbirds; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Shabbona Lake's great beauty and many
8achievements are due in large part to the efforts of the park's
9outstanding and dedicated volunteers and staff, and support
10from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources; therefore,
11be it
 
12    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
13NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
14we recognize the importance of Shabbona Lake State Park for the
15people of the State of Illinois and thank the park's staff and
16volunteers for their hard work in maintaining this beautiful
17area; and be it further
 
18    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be
19delivered to the Director of the Illinois Department of Natural
20Resources and the Site Manager of Shabbona Lake State Park.