EXEMPT NOTICE: DNR Real Estate Acquisition, Prairie Ridge SNA

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has issued an exempt notice regarding the acquisition of 106.75 acres of land for the Prairie Ridge State Natural Area, located in Marion County (though the opportunity is posted under Madison County jurisdiction). This is a land acquisition procurement, not a traditional competitive bid opportunity, issued in accordance with 30 ILCS 500/1-10b(6) requirements. The property, situated at Sigrist Road, Farina, Illinois 62838, was acquired from the Illinois Audubon Society through a deed dated November 20, 2025, and recorded January 7, 2026. The acquired land consists entirely of grassland acreage with no improvements or buildings and encompasses a portion of the Southeast Quarter of Section 6, Township 4 North, Range 4 East of the Third Principal Meridian. The total acquisition value is $1,265,000.00, representing the full land value with title insurance (Policy Number 72512-235839644) issued by Chicago Title Insurance Company effective January 7, 2026. The posted date for this notice is March 26, 2026, with a due date of April 15, 2026.

This exempt notice is not a competitive solicitation open to multiple bidders; rather, it represents a notice of completed land acquisition funded through the Natural Areas Acquisition Fund (NAAF) under Appropriation Code 355-07-18, classified as a State Natural Area property. The property is subject to two existing easements granted to the Village of Farina for sewer line construction and maintenance (recorded June 6, 2017) and a general easement (recorded June 9, 2017), which are disclosed in the acquisition documentation. As an exempt procurement notice, there are no set-aside designations, disadvantaged enterprise requirements, or competitive bidding provisions applicable to this transaction. The notice documentation includes a comprehensive Land Acquired Form Packet (355-07-18) containing legal descriptions, property maps, and title insurance information. No incumbent vendors or award selections are applicable to this acquisition notice, as this represents a completed procurement by IDNR for public land conservation purposes.