Title
Resolution submitting the results of the advisory referendum to the State of Illinois, the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, and the Lake County State and Federal legislative delegation.
Staff Summary
· The Illinois Department of Transportation and the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority have completed numerous studies over the years for extending IL Route 53.
· In 2006, a Lake County Transportation Summit was held at which 69% of Lake County elected officials voted in support of the extension of IL Route 53 into central Lake County.
· The Lake County Board authorized a non-binding referendum to determine the level of public support for the extension of Illinois Route 53 through Lake County.
· On April 7, 2009 Lake County voters were asked: “Shall the State of Illinois construct the extension of Route 53 from Lake Cook Road northerly to the existing IL Route 120?”, and the results showed 75.72% of voters supported the future extension of IL Route 53, (a three to one margin); 63,645 voted “Yes”, out of 84,049 total voters.
· The referendum results indicate there is overwhelming consensus among Lake County voters to extend Route 53 into Lake County.
· Lake County strongly urges State Legislators, as well as the Illinois Department of Transportation and the Illinois Toll Highway Authority, to plan for the extension of Route 53, including identifying a funding source, and further, the County will seek assistance from Lake County’s U.S. legislators to identify federal funds to implement this critical regional transportation project.
Body
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, the 2030 Regional Transportation Plan for Northeastern Illinois, adopted October 8, 2006 includes the possible extension of IL Route 53 from Lake Cook Road north to IL Route 120; and
WHEREAS, the Illinois Department of Transportation has historically accomplished the planning and environmental assessments required for new expressways in northeastern Illinois whether they were constr...
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