Daily Herald
August 29, 2005
By Charlotte Norgaard
Daily Herald Correspondent
Many of those who turned out for the Citizens Against the Sprawlway Stop the Beltway picnic Sunday were longtime residents of the areas affected by the Prairie Parkway, a proposed expressway through Kane and Kendall counties connecting I-80 and I-88.
"If they put that beltway in, it's going to run about 300 yards from my house," said Rich Kokes of Big Rock.
The picnic was at the Marvel Davis Farm in Sugar Grove. More than 165 years old, the farm is one of many that would be affected.
"It would make the field virtually land-locked," said Jan Strasma, spokesman for Citizens Against the Sprawlway.
The Prairie Parkway project has been spearheaded by House Speaker Dennis Hastert, a Plano Republican. It recently received a huge boost with President Bush's recent visit, when he approved a $207 million federal funding package to go toward the project. With Kane and Kendall among two of the fastest-growing counties in the United States, many officials view the Prairie Parkway as necessary to keep up with growth.
Citizens Against the Sprawlway members strongly disagree and believe a beltway would destroy farmland, damage the environment, and ignite sprawl.
"I think it's very important that they consider the option of helping traffic where it is, instead of creating traffic where it isn't," said Sugar Grove resident Jim O'Brien.
"We feel there are better areas that are more environmentally sound and less destructive," added Paul Evans of Big Rock. "Put it in places they have already destroyed instead of destroying new ground."
Members of the organization believe the area would be better served by putting money into improving existing roads, such as widening Route 47.
"The fate of the Prairie Parkway project rests with the state for a decision," said Strasma. "The fact that Hastert has opened up the federal purse doesn't make it a done deal."