Gov. Pritzker Celebrates Ribbon Cutting at Illinois Beach State Park

ZION- Governor JB Pritzker and local and state officials gathered today to celebrate the completion of the Illinois Beach State Park Shoreline Stabilization Project in Lake County. The $73 million investment provided for the preservation of several miles of natural shoreline in three areas of the park.

“Illinois Beach State Park is one of the many natural beauties that make our state special, with dunes and swales, sprawling marshes, forests of oak and vast arrays of animal life and vegetation — and of course the last remaining natural shoreline in Illinois. And I am so proud and grateful that we could come together to protect it,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Thanks to all those who tirelessly worked to execute this project – Illinoisans will continue to visit the lakefront here for generations to come, and we’ll keep this habitat and the local economy flourishing.”

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 new offshore stone breakwater structures shelter the Lake Michigan shoreline from wave energy and preserve the surrounding ecosystems. The breakwaters assist in retaining the newly placed sand, slowing down the littoral process, and enhancing public access to the beach.

"Illinois Beach State Park is a natural treasure, and this project ensures its beauty and ecosystem are preserved for future generations," said Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton. "Protecting our environment is not just about today but about creating a legacy of stewardship that will benefit our communities for years to come."

“Prior to this project, we faced a very real possibility that the shoreline and the landscape beyond it that make Illinois Beach such a special place would vanish forever. By working together, we were able to preserve precious natural shoreline and irreplaceable habitat,” said Illinois Department of Natural Resources Director Natalie Phelps Finnie. “In addition to the ecological benefits, this restoration is already attracting more visitors and special events to Illinois Beach State Park, to the Illinois Beach Hotel, and to the surrounding communities, driving more tourism dollars into this region.”

Remarkably, the park remained open to the public throughout construction of the breakwaters, necessitating careful coordination with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to ensure safety and accessibility as 35,000 truckloads of sand were hauled within the park. The General Contractor Michels Construction collaborated with landscape architecture firm, Living Habitats, to install various habitat features at the park, including 10 tern nests, limestone ledges, 36 vegetated ecoblocks, 15 pieces of driftwood habitat salvaged from the area, five rock spurs, custom 3D-printed ecoblocks, and 4,000 tons of cobblestone.

“The inventive design and strategic use of repurposed materials made Illinois Beach State Park unlike any project the Capital Development Board has managed for the State of Illinois,” said CDB Executive Director TJ Edwards. “From start to finish, the project teams took great care in protecting the natural habitats, while providing a sustainable solution for shoreline erosion.”

"Michels Construction is truly thankful for the opportunity to improve Illinois Beach State Park, ensuring that this natural treasure is preserved and enjoyed by the public for years to come," said General Manager of Michels Construction, Inc. Paul Wiedmeyer.

Illinois Beach State Park Shoreline Stabilization Project marks the first project in the Midwest to achieve WEDG (Waterfront Edge Design Guidelines) Verification, a national rating system that recognizes resilient, ecological, and accessible waterfront projects. External specialists in engineering, architecture, and landscape architecture determined that the project exceeded the requirements for WEDG Verification, earning the gold standard under guidelines outlined in WEDG’s Version 3.0.

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.

“The Illinois Beach State Park is one of our community’s greatest assets,” said State Senator Mary Edly-Allen, D-Grayslake. “Over the years I have witnessed the landscape change and evolve, so to now see it revitalized to this magnitude gives me great joy. As a member of both the Senate Environment and Conservation Committee and the Appropriations Public Safety & Infrastructure Committee, this project highlights the investment in assets that cannot be replaced – our environment. I hope the one million annual visitors to the park can see how committed Illinois is to preserving and protecting our environment.”

“Illinois Beach State Park has been a big part of my life over the past four decades,” said State Representative Joyce Mason, D-Gurnee. “I camped here as a kid, made special memories here with my own children, and have been honored to spend the past six years representing the area as state representative. This park is one of the most important and wonderful parts of the 61st district. It offers recreation and educational opportunities, economic investment through tourism, and is home to a very special and dynamic ecosystem that brings people from around the world to study. The continued maintenance and upkeep at the park is something I have long advocated for. We owe it to the residents and visitors of the area, as well as the native species calling the park home, to invest in, protect and care for one of the most beautiful examples of Illinois’ natural environment.”

“As Vice-Chairperson of the Senate Environment and Conservation Committee, I am thrilled to see this project come to completion,” said State Senator Adriane Johnson, D-Buffalo Grove. “Years of natural erosion had compromised this unique habitat, and this shoreline stabilization will not only protect the park, but also the hundreds of native plants and animals that make this their home. Having served as Chair of the Illinois Association of Park Districts, I recognize how truly special a place Illinois Beach State Park is.”

“As a lifelong resident of Waukegan, I know the significance Illinois Beach State Park has on the surrounding area and its residents. As Representative of the 60 House District, I hear members of the community talk about their time spent here and the positive impact it has on their family’s lives,” said State Representative Rita Mayfield, D – Waukegan. “Not only is this park a beautiful place of nature and serenity, it’s also a tremendous economic driver for the surrounding areas of Lake County. I am proud of the State’s investment in this shoreline revitalization work so that it can be enjoyed for years to come.”

“The beachfront here at Illinois Beach State Park has always been a great place to visit for kids of all ages,” said John Hucker, Mayor of the Village of Beach Park. “It is great to see the improvements completed so future generations can enjoy the beach and all that park has to offer.”

“Illinois Beach State Park is situated within a larger 4,500-acre complex of globally significant habitat,” said Lake County Chair Sandy Hart. “Along with other public landowners such as the Lake County Forest Preserves, the Village of Winthrop Harbor, and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and in partnership with private landowners, a bi-state public-private partnership is caring for this rare dune and swale habitat, which has been designated a Wetland of International Importance. The State’s investment in Illinois Beach State Park will accelerate the protection of this critical landscape.”

“Unlike anywhere else in Illinois, the communities of Zion, Beach Park and Winthrop Harbor are blessed with this phenomenal state park and the adjoining Lake County Forest Preserve’s Spring Bluff Preserve,” said Winthrop Harbor Mayor Dr. Michael Bruno. “The Illinois Beach State Park has miles of shoreline, thousands of acres of forests, dunes, beaches, and a hotel/conference center. This area is cris-crossed with hiking and biking trails, unlimited connectivity with other paths and trails extending throughout the Chicagoland area and Southeast Wisconsin. The Illinois Beach State Park surrounds the North Point Marina with nearly 1500 slips, it is ranked among the very largest inland marinas in the entire United States. The location of our marina offers a unique setting – it’s almost an island – where active recreation can meet passive activities to refresh and recharge the soul. These are the reasons why this park has the distinction of having the second-highest tourist visits per year in the State. ​ This park is the pride of our region.”

Governor Pritzker’s bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital plan provides essential funding to support the revitalization and improvement of Illinois roadways, state facilities, universities, bridges, and railways over a six-year period. The initiative seeks to address critical infrastructure and economic opportunity.

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