UPDATE ON THE CAMPAIGN to Block the Extension of Whittier Ave across the ILLINOIS PRAIRIE PATH AND

1/15/02 update

UPDATE ON THE CAMPAIGN to Block the Extension of Whittier Ave across the ILLINOIS PRAIRIE PATH & Save the Special 8 acres.

THANK YOU for your ongoing support of The Illinois Prairie Path not-for-profit corporation's campaign to Protect the IPP and it's users by Saving the Special 8 acres in unincorporated DuPage County. This morning (1/15) the DuPage County Forest Preserve District's Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to acquire the Special 8. Note the Glen Ellyn Park District acted on 1/8 to begin the legal discussions to manage the property after the County acquires it. It is estimated that once the County begins negotiations (soon) with the owners of the parcel it will take a few months to complete the paperwork and close on the property. We will keep you advised of their progress and/or any changes.

NEXT STEPS? I have been asked this question by many supporters (we had approx. 50 supporters at today's meeting!) Please consider taking the following next steps:

1. Send a Thank you note to the District 4 DuPage County Board Members/Forest Preserve District Commissioners. They found the money in the Budget and helped convince (along with your many letters/emails) other board members of the need to Save the Special 8. Please send them a note today: Paul Didzerekis mailto:pauldid@dupageco.org, John Noel mailto:jnoel@dupageco.org, Mike Formento mailto:mformento@dupageco.org and Gwen Henry mailto:ghenry@dupageco.org Send letters to: 421 N. County Farm Rd., Wheaton, IL 60187

2. KEEP AN EYE ON THE SPECIAL 8. We should watch over the parcel to ensure that the owner and/or developer does not change the character of the property to possibly try to raise its value. This has happened in the past (with other acquisitions) and it was raised as a possible risk by a County Forest Preserve Dist. Commissioner. If you see any changes or construction equipment on the site contact the DuPage County Forest Preserve District Land Acquisition office (630-933-7235) and call me too (home office 630-682-9297).

3. Advise the Glen Ellyn Park District President Sandra Minogue you would like to be a "Friend of the Special 8." This group will help the Park District with semi-annual cleanups and workdays on the parcel. Call them at 630-858-2462 or send a note to fax# 630-858-2479 (Note, they do not have official email addresses). Mail a note to them at: 185 Spring Ave., Glen Ellyn, IL 60137

4. On Friday, 1/18, I will be meeting with IL State Senator Dan Cronin along with representatives from the IL Department of Natural Resources. The purpose of the meeting is to explore ways to designate the Special 8 as an official Illinois Nature Preserve or Natural Heritage Landmark. These designations would help ensure the parcel would remain as is. If you wish to ask your state legislators to help preserve the parcel "as is" as a Nature Preserve, please contact them. To determine who are your IL legislators call the IL Board of Elections at 312-814-6440 or go to: http://wwww.state.il.us/government/gov_legislature.cfm

5. As you may know, The Illinois Prairie Path not-for-profit corporation has donated $10,000 to the County to help acquire the Special 8. To help us recoup some of those funds please consider joining The Illinois Prairie Path. Annual memberships start at the low rate of only $10.00 for individuals and $15.00 for families. Included with your membership you will receive our full color and detailed trail map along with newsletters advising you of our year-round trail stewardship programs and related activities. Check out www.ipp.org for membership info.

Please continue to help by spreading the news. Thanks again! Don Kirchenberg, President, The Illinois Prairie Path Home ofc: 630-682-9297 Email: FrndsGrtWstnTrl@aol.com Go to www.ipp.org for more information.