27AL2459 Moraine Hills State Park Farm Lease SS

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), with the Chief Procurement Office for General Services handling the procurement, issued a notice of intent to award a sole source agricultural management lease at Moraine Hills State Park to Spencer Herchenbach under Contract 27AL2459, and the October 16, 2026 comment deadline has passed. The award is made without competitive bidding under Illinois Administrative Code Title 17, Chapter 1, Part 150, Section 150.20(c)(3), which permits negotiated leases of tracts of 50 acres or less. The State Purchasing Officer approved the justification on August 18, 2026, and Chief Procurement Officer Ellen H. Daley authorized the award on October 21, 2026. The justification records that no public hearing was held.

The lease covers approximately 30.20 acres in McHenry County (Township 44 North, Range 9 East, Sections 7, 8, 17, and 18) for agricultural use. The lessee must supply all labor, machinery, tools, seed, fertilizer, equipment, and insurance, and must farm under IDNR requirements and Best Management Practices. IDNR's stated objectives are wildlife support, soil health, erosion control, and water quality.

The term is five years, from March 1, 2027 through February 28, 2032, with no renewal options. The estimated value is $145,365.90, with approximately $127,245.90 going to the vendor and $18,120.00 to the state. The lease is funded by its own revenue rather than state or federal appropriations. IDNR states that losing the lease would cost the site $3,624.00 annually.

Spencer Herchenbach (vendor V00032490) is the incumbent. The vendor held two prior IDNR leases on this parcel: a 2020–2022 contract valued at $9,060 and a 2023–2027 contract valued at $14,496, the latter running through February 28, 2027.