Openlands Gears Up to Expand Recreational Access in Illinois

July 7, 2009
Contact: Charles Mutscheller
              312-863-6260

CHICAGO, IL—Regional conservation advocate Openlands is working to reconnect people with biking, birding, paddling, and other outdoor recreational opportunities throughout the state by passing a new law that restores liability protection once provided by the Recreational Use of Land and Water Areas Act.

"For forty years, this act defended willing Illinois landowners who opened their property to the public for recreation, conservation, and education purposes," explains Openlands Policy Director Lenore Beyer-Clow. "Since public agencies hold only about four percent of all the natural areas in the state, the statute permitted public enjoyment of valuable open space that otherwise might be off limits."

In 2005, however, the law was changed, affording protection to landowners who open their property for hunting and shooting ONLY—safeguards relating to all other activities disappeared. Openlands and a broad coalition of government agencies, recreation groups, and environmental organizations are working with state legislators to pass a new law restoring legal protection to private landowners—House Bill 494.

"It's unfortunate that the current law thwarts efforts by private landowners and organizations like ours that want people to access their land for so many fun and healthy activities," says Susan Donovan, director of government relations for The Nature Conservancy in Illinois. "We raise private dollars to create natural areas for people to enjoy. Members of the General Assembly should want the law to encourage public access, not restrict it."

Even though the amendment passed four years ago, its repercussions remain little known. For example, owners of the popular Illinois climbing area, Draper's Bluff, near Carbondale, published an open letter to the climbing community in mid-May announcing the immediate closure of their land to climbing and other recreational use: "Just this past week, we were informed that (unbeknownst to us) the Legislature of the State of Illinois had made a significant change in the language of the Recreational Use of Land and Water Areas Act."

Keith Bielat, programs chair at the Chicago Mountaineering Club, which has almost 200 members, states, "I'm amazed that this restriction has flown under the radar for so long, especially when it has such wide-ranging consequences."

Although Openlands and partners have been working to restore recreational accessibility since the constraining amendment passed in 2005, House Bill 494 has faced considerable opposition and has yet to make it to the House floor. There is hope that progress will be made during this fall's veto session.

Openlands urges residents who camp, climb, fish, and participate in a wide range of other recreational, educational, and conservation activities in Illinois to contact their state representative and encourage him or her to support House Bill 494.

"It's important to push forward in this centennial year of the Burnham Plan because this is an effort, albeit legislative instead of bricks and mortar, to connect people to land and water resources—in Chicago and across the state," adds Beyer-Clow. "That seems pretty true to Burnham's vision, and an overall good thing for residents of Illinois."

Founded in 1963, Openlands protects the natural and open spaces of northeastern Illinois and the surrounding region to ensure cleaner air and water, protect natural habitats and wildlife, and help balance and enrich our lives. 

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