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Chicago Tribune
August 1, 2007
Expressway foes hold photo contest
On the theory that pictures can be worth a thousand words, or nearly
$1,000 in this case, a coalition of environmental groups opposed to
construction of a far western expressway through Kendall and southern
Kane Counties is sponsoring a digital photo contest to focus attention
on what its members contend would be lost if the so-called Prairie
Parkway is built.
State transportation planners are putting the final touches on an
environmental impact statement that they expect will lead to federal
approval of the project by year's end. The proposed $1 billion highway,
which is less than one-third funded, would link Interstate Highways 88
and 80 from roughly Kaneville to Minooka, in Grundy County.
The deadline for submitting public comment to the Illinois Department
of Transportation on the 11 road closings that freeway construction
would necessitate is set for Aug. 13. IDOT is looking to start
construction of a portion of highway near Yorkville as soon as 2009.
In support of its yearslong opposition effort, Citizens Against the
Sprawlway is sponsoring the photo contest with various categories,
including one for children, which "highlight and preserve images of the
environment, farming and rural community life that would be lost if
this highway is built," said group spokesman Jan Strasma.
Contest winners will share in $900 in prizes, Strasma said. The
deadline for entries is Sept. 15. Contest details are available online
at http://www.sprawlway.org or by e-mail to ppcontest@mac.com, he said.
William Presecky