18/06/2026
Remember a Lake County Forest Preserve Commissioner's job is to be a fiduciary and protect and preserve the Forest Preserve assets for Lake County residents. How can they sign a letter stating that cutting down or damaging 500 to 800 trees in the Waukegan Savanna will have "no effect". What about the surrounding area and neighbors suffering from diminished air quality, increased flooding, heat, noise, and energy needs due to growing use by private jets at the Waukegan National Airport? Don't they count?
Today, the Lake County Board voted 14-3 to approve a resolution finding that the use of Waukegan Savanna Forest Preserve land for airport runway purposes would have only a de minimis impact.
Many community members spoke against the proposal, raising concerns about environmental justice, loss of green space, and setting a precedent for using protected forest preserve land for airport expansion. Despite those concerns, the Board overwhelmingly approved the resolution.
For communities already facing environmental burdens, these impacts are not minimal.
Thank you to everyone who spoke out. We will continue to keep the public updated on future opportunities for engagement as this project moves forward.
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Hoy, la Junta del Condado de Lake votó 14-3 para aprobar una resolución que determina que el uso de terrenos de la Reserva Forestal Waukegan Savanna para fines de pista aeroportuaria tendría un impacto de minimis.
Muchos miembros de la comunidad hablaron en contra de la propuesta, expresando preocupaciones sobre la justicia ambiental, la pérdida de espacios verdes y el precedente que establece el uso de tierras protegidas de reservas forestales para la expansión aeroportuaria. A pesar de estas preocupaciones, la Junta aprobó la resolución por una amplia mayoría.
Para las comunidades que ya enfrentan mayores cargas ambientales, estos impactos no son mínimos.
Gracias a todas las personas que alzaron su voz. Continuaremos manteniendo al público informado sobre futuras oportunidades de participación comunitaria a medida que este proyecto avance.
📷CPLC
