Illinois House Moves to Restore Historic Lands to Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation

In a significant legislative move, the Illinois House of Representatives has passed Senate Bill 867, which proposes returning portions of land in DeKalb County to the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation. This decision aims to honor an 1829 agreement between the federal government and the Potawatomi Nation involving land that includes present-day Shabbona Lake and State Park. Despite the bill's approval, concerns have been voiced by Republican State Representative Brad Fritts, who highlighted potential oversights, such as the lack of protections for current landowners and the absence of development regulations. The bill, sponsored by Senator Mark Walker, now awaits Governor J.B. Pritzker's signature.

“Senate Bill 867 does not include any protections for landowners who currently reside on land included in the land transfer agreement,” Fritts said in a news release sent to area media. “The bill does not include any regulations surrounding the type of development permitted. The bill also does not address that the State of Illinois is giving away a State Park, worth tens of millions of dollars, without regard for the taxpayer or the residents who utilize the park.”