<span class="field field–name-title field–type-string field–label-hidden">Starved Rock to Receive $30M in State Funds for Much Needed Improvements, Maintenance</span>
<span class="field field–name-uid field–type-entity-reference field–label-hidden"><span>Patty Wetli</span></span>
<span class="field field–name-created field–type-created field–label-hidden"><time datetime="2025-01-31T17:13:05-06:00" title="Friday, January 31, 2025 – 17:13" class="datetime">Fri, 01/31/2025 – 17:13</time>
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<div class="clearfix text-formatted field field–name-body field–type-text-with-summary field–label-hidden field__item"><p>Illinois is showering some love on its natural resources, with officials on Friday announcing $60 million in funding for improvement projects at five parks and historic sites.</p>
<p>The lion’s share of the money — $33.8 million — is being funneled to Starved Rock, which is consistently ranked as Illinois’ <a href="https://ift.tt/p4X96KE" target="_blank">most popular state park</a>.</p>
<p><a href="https://ift.tt/XE6bzIi" target="_blank">More than 2.5 million people visit Starved Rock annually</a>, 85% of them coming from central and northern Illinois. This includes a sizable contingent from the Chicago area, lured by the park’s scenic waterfalls and extensive network of hiking trails.</p>
<p>Several of the park’s heavily used paths are slated for upgrades as part of the funding allocation, according to the state’s Capital Development Board.</p>
<p>Additional work at Starved Rock will include construction of a new wastewater system and replacement of some deteriorating facilities.</p>
<p>“By investing in these projects, we are not only supporting economic growth in several rural areas, but also ensuring our state parks and historic sites remain accessible for years to come,” TJ Edwards, executive director of the Capital Development Board, said in a statement. </p>
<p>Also included in the funding announcement:</p>
<p>— <a href="https://ift.tt/CFAc8vk" target="_blank">Volo Bog State Natural Area</a> in Lake County will receive $5.1 million for a complete replacement of the existing boardwalk and floating trail. Volo is home to Illinois’ only open-water quaking bog, which begs the question, “What’s a quaking bog?” It’s a thick mass of floating vegetation that shakes when walked on.</p>
<p>— Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park<strong>: </strong>$10.2 million to plan and repair Lock 33 near Rock Falls in Whiteside County.</p>
<p><strong>— </strong>Lake Murphysboro State Park: $4.1 million in upgrades to sewage treatment and campground electrical systems.</p>
<p><strong>— </strong>Dana-Thomas House State Historic Site:<strong> </strong>$6.6 million to restore and repair historic elements of this Frank Lloyd Wright-designed site.</p>
<p>The $60 million was made possible by the Rebuild Illinois capital plan.</p>
<p>No timeline for the start of construction or anticipated completion dates on any of the projects was provided in response to a request from WTTW News.</p>
<p><em>Contact Patty Wetli: </em><a href="https://twitter.com/pattywetli" target="_blank"><em>@pattywetli</em></a><em> | (773) 509-5623 | </em><a href="mailto:pwetli@wttw.com"><em>pwetli@wttw.com</em></a></p>
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January 31, 2025 at 05:21PM
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