27AL2081 Clinton Lake State Recreation Area Farm Lease SS

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources, through the Chief Procurement Office for General Services, issued a notice of intent to award a sole source agricultural lease (27AL2081) at Clinton Lake State Recreation Area to Brian Riddle, with written comments or public hearing requests due October 16, 2026 at 4:00 p.m., a deadline that has passed. The award bypasses competitive bidding under 17 Ill. Adm. Code 150.20(c)(3), which permits negotiated agricultural management leases of 50 acres or less.

The lease covers approximately 29.30 acres in DeWitt County for farming. The five-year term runs March 1, 2027 through February 28, 2032, with no renewal options. The lessee must supply all labor, machinery, tools, seed, fertilizer, equipment, and insurance, and must operate under IDNR requirements and Best Management Practices for agriculture and wildlife management.

The estimated initial term value is $116,982.02, with $6,299.50 going to the state and $110,682.52 to the vendor. The lease is funded by revenue-generating proceeds rather than state or federal appropriations. Rent is $43.00 per acre annually. IDNR states that non-approval would forgo $1,259.90 in annual site revenue.

Brian Riddle is the incumbent, having held Contract 19AL2081 (March 2019 through February 2023) and Contract 23AL2081 (March 2023 through February 2027) on the identical parcel and terms, each valued at $5,039.60 annually.

The notice posted October 1, 2026 and lists an October 19, 2026 due date. A public hearing on whether the sole source approach is appropriate was scheduled for October 21, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. via WebEx, conditioned on receipt of written comments or hearing requests by October 16. The State Purchasing Officer approved the justification on August 18, 2026, and the Chief Procurement Officer authorized the agency to proceed on October 21, 2026. Dianne Richman is the notice contact.