On December 9, 2011, Gov. Pat Quinn announced a major partnership and conservation initiative with federal, state and local stakeholders to create the largest open space project in the country covering approximately 140,000 acres of land. When completed, the Millennium Reserve will provide public recreation opportunities and improve the quality of life for more than 433,000 residents. The state will invest $17.9 million for the first phase of the project to begin restoration of 15,000 acres of open space.
Today, the Southeast side of Chicago is home to more than 2,000 species including 40 rare plant and 20 rare animal species. Rare or endangered animals such as the glass lizards, Blanding’s turtle, Franklin’s ground squirrel, the Black-crowned Night Heron and the Bald Eagle can be found within the wetlands and marshes located along the waterways.
Over the last 20 years, efforts have been made to improve the water quality of the Chicago River including the Cal-Sag and the Little Calumet River channels on the South Side of Chicago. In 2011, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District took a historic vote to disinfect the waste that flows in the Chicago River. As a result, on April 12, 2012, the state committed to investing $10 million toward the clean-up of the Chicago River, which will allow for increased water recreation from Illinois residents.
