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Expand Public Recreational Access to Illinois Rivers
Since our inception, Openlands has actively pushed for policy reforms at all levels of government to clean up rivers, safeguard shorelines, and ensure public access to nature. Illinois boasts some of the Midwest’s most stunning and accessible waterways, yet your right to responsibly enjoy them is under threat.
A combination of federal and state laws regulate public waterways in Illinois, but the laws are widely misunderstood. As a result, unfair public access restrictions are being imposed and adversely affecting individuals and businesses.
The recently introduced House Bill 1873 clarifies that people may enjoy outdoor recreation on Illinois public waters that are “navigable” under federal law as defined by the U.S. Supreme Court, and/or that are “Public Waters” as defined by the Illinois Rivers, Lakes, and Streams Act. The bill also protects landowners by imposing a standard of responsibility on public users to avoid littering and nuisance activities.
Don’t let your right to access some of your favorite Illinois Water Trails float away. Contact your state representative and ask them to co-sponsor and support HB 1873.
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Expand Public Recreational Access to Illinois Rivers
Since our inception, Openlands has actively pushed for policy reforms at all levels of government to clean up rivers, safeguard shorelines, and ensure public access to nature. Illinois boasts some of the Midwest’s most stunning and accessible waterways, yet your right to responsibly enjoy them is under threat.
A combination of federal and state laws regulate public waterways in Illinois, but the laws are widely misunderstood. As a result, unfair public access restrictions are being imposed and adversely affecting individuals and businesses.
The recently introduced House Bill 1873 clarifies that people may enjoy outdoor recreation on Illinois public waters that are “navigable” under federal law as defined by the U.S. Supreme Court, and/or that are “Public Waters” as defined by the Illinois Rivers, Lakes, and Streams Act. The bill also protects landowners by imposing a standard of responsibility on public users to avoid littering and nuisance activities.
Don’t let your right to access some of your favorite Illinois Water Trails float away. Contact your state representative and ask them to co-sponsor and support HB 1873.
Organization Name
Org Address Line 1
Org City, Org State Org Zip
Get in touch! Org Email or Org Phone
We're not able to contact your elected officials, but you can still help!
This advocacy alert is only open to residents of Illinois. You can still speak up for the Environment in many ways. Visit Openlands.org/Advocacy to view our active campaigns.
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Your message has been sent!
Want to make an even greater impact and make sure your voice is heard? Phone calls are even more effective than emails!
Look up your state representative's contact information with this tool and call their office directly with a personalized message using the sample phone script below.
Sample Phone Script:
Hello my name is (your name) and I am a constituent in your district at (your address) in (your city).
I am a (kayaker/canoeist/paddleboarder) that paddles the (local river or rivers preferably in your representative’s district).
A combination of federal and state laws regulate public waterways in Illinois, but the laws are widely misunderstood. As a result, unfair public access restrictions are being imposed and adversely affecting individuals and businesses.
This session, Rep. Janet Yang-Rohr filed HB 1873 which amends the Illinois Rivers, Lakes and Streams Act to make clear that all rivers in Illinois should be accessible to paddlers across the state of Illinois without fear that they may be trespassing on private property.
I am asking for you to please co-sponsor HB 1873 so that Illinois paddlers can access Illinois rivers.
I hope you will be willing to join this effort by co-sponsoring and supporting HB 1873. Would you be willing to do that?
Thank you very much for your time.
Organization Name
Org Address Line 1
Org City, Org State Org Zip
Get in touch! Org Email or Org Phone