EXEMPT NOTICE: DNR Real Estate Acquisition, Illinois & Michigan Canal SP

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has issued an exempt notice for a real estate acquisition in Grundy County, specifically involving the Illinois and Michigan Canal State Park. The procurement involves the acquisition of 141.94 acres of land, purchased from JB Family Holdings LP for $570,000, which is noted as a donation. The property is located in Aux Sable Township, situated in the Southeast 1/4 of Section 21, Southwest 1/4 of Section 22, and Northeast 1/4 of Section 28, Township 34 North, Range 8 East of the Third Principal Meridian. The land composition includes 96.45 acres of grass and 45.49 acres of other terrain, with multiple permanent parcel numbers associated with the property. The acquisition is part of the Illinois and Michigan Canal State Park project and is subject to a title insurance policy (number 21015569GR), with the deed dated and recorded in July 2024. The contract opportunity was posted on April 11, 2025, with a response deadline of May 2, 2025.

The land acquisition includes several existing gas and pipeline easements and is subject to federal funding use restrictions. While this is an exempt notice and not a traditional procurement, the transaction involves specific compliance requirements, including adherence to 30 ILCS 500/1-10b)6). The property transfer appears to be a direct acquisition rather than a competitive bidding process. No specific set-aside designations or disadvantaged enterprise requirements are explicitly stated in the documentation. The total value of the transaction is $570,000, with the land being transferred to the state for park expansion purposes. Existing infrastructure includes the associated gas and pipeline easements, and the property will be integrated into the Illinois and Michigan Canal State Park system. The acquisition supports the state's ongoing efforts to preserve and develop public parkland in Grundy County.