WHEREAS, subsidization of development in NE Illinois by existing residents through taxation has stimulated overwhelming and inefficient land usage that sacrifices open space and neglects urban centers; and

WHEREAS, extreme population growth has radically increased the number of drivers in our region; and

WHEREAS, extreme economic growth has radically increased the commercial transportation needs in our region; and

WHEREAS, transportation infrastructure has not been improved, and alternative modes have not been sufficiently expanded to address the increased usage; and

WHEREAS, severe road congestion has resulted that imposes environmental damage, and significant economic and social hardships to the businesses and citizens; and

WHEREAS, primary transportation needs in the W&W territory are from NW to SE; and

WHEREAS, mass transportation has not been effectively implemented in our territory; and

WHEREAS, construction of the proposed extension of Rt. 53 will perpetuate, exacerbate and ignore all of these problems, characterized collectively by the term "sprawl"; and

WHEREAS, critical wetland wildlife habitat and farms contribute substantially to our quality of life; and

WHEREAS, construction of the proposed extension of Rt. 53 would itself decimate major wetland systems in Lake County, and invite wetland degradation and loss of farmland from subsequently stimulated development to support tens of thousands of new residents; and 

WHEREAS, the State has expended large amounts of its resources in studying and proposing construction of the extension of Rt. 53 into Lake County, and the State, through its public relations Lake County Transportation Improvement Project, estimates the earliest date for beginning construction of the Route 53 extension to be the year 2009, if it is funded and all approvals are obtained; and

WHEREAS, the continued uncertainty regarding roadway improvements has made proper land use planning on the part of municipal and county governments impossible.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Woods & Wetlands Group of the Sierra Club by a unanimous vote of the Executive Committee, that:

The Governor of Illinois, the Illinois General Assembly and the Lake County Board begin immediately to provide funding through existing revenue or new revenue sources for the planning, engineering and construction of projects to improve intersections and critical arterial State and County roads in Lake County to protect environmentally sensitive areas and reduce congestion; and

The Governor of Illinois and the Illinois General Assembly support significantly improved public transportation alternatives in Lake County, including increased and expanded train and bus service, improved intermodal coordination, and bicycle and pedestrian access.

The Governor of Illinois and the Illinois General Assembly take direct action to protect critical wildlife habitat held by the Illinois Department of Transportation in the Rt. 53 corridor, and work with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and the Lake County Board to secure such protections in perpetuity.