ZION — State Senator Mary Edly-Allen (D-Libertyville) alongside Governor JB Pritzker and elected local officials across the Lake County area came together Monday to celebrate the milestone of the Illinois State Beach Park Shoreline Stabilization project’s completion with a ribbon cutting.

Illinois Beach State Park required immediate intervention to restore the natural lakefront, which was eroding at more than 100 feet per year and putting rare habitat at risk. The $73 million investment by the Rebuild Illinois capital plan allowed for the necessary construction of new offshore stone breakwater structures to shelter the Lake Michigan shoreline from wave energy. The breakwaters assist in retaining the newly-placed sand, preserve the surrounding ecosystems, and enhance public access to the beach.

“This project was urgently needed and Illinois now stands as a leader in responsible shoreline stabilization,” said Edly-Allen. “This intervention was necessary to protect the last remaining natural shoreline in the state. I want to thank the governor and the General Assembly for this waterfront project that will help Lake County’s shoreline, native species, residents and visitors.”

The project is the first inland freshwater project, first Great Lakes project, and first project in the Midwest to achieve Waterfront Edge Design Guidelines (WEDG) Verification. WEDG is a national rating system that provides technical reviews of the design and construction of waterfront projects. Illinois Beach State Park earned the gold standard under the guidelines outlined in WEDG's Version 3.0 back in February. 

Additionally, the project was also selected for the 2024 Best Restored Beach award through the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA). The national recognition acknowledged the project for protecting the critical infrastructure of the park while maintaining its character and recreational user experience.

“I am proud the design for this project will achieve both stabilizing the shore and protecting habitats, as well as mitigating erosion and making the beach safer for residents and tourists,” said Edly-Allen. “When this many people come together to help save our beloved shoreline, it gives me great hope what we can do next to protect natural habitats across the state.”

To learn more about the Illinois Beach State Park Shoreline Stabilization project, visit the Capital Development Board’s project site.

Image: State Senator Edly-Allen alongside Lake County elected officials, Governor JB Pritzker, Illinois Department of Natural Resources Director Natalie Phelps Finnie and Executive Director of the Illinois Capital Development Board Tamakia “TJ” Edwards