Commissioner Liz Gorman announces agreement between the Village of Orland Park and the Forest Preserve District of Cook County allowing for the widening of 143rd Street west of LaGrange Road

Commissioner Liz Gorman announces agreement between the Village of

Orland Park and the Forest Preserve District of Cook County

allowing for the widening of 143^rd Street west of LaGrange Road

Cook County Commissioner Elizabeth “Liz” Doody Gorman today announced that the Board of The Forest Preserve District of Cook County have given final approval for an agreement with the Village of Orland Park which will allow the widening of 143^rd Street.  The Forest Preserve will allow a permanent easement of 17 feet for a span of 1000 feet on the north side of  143^rd Street [approximately 1.5 acres] to Orland Park. 

This clears the way for 143^rd Street to be widened to five lanes – 2 in each direction with a left turn center lane from LaGrange Road to Wolf Road.  The Village will deed almost 14 acres to the Forest Preserve District:  10.9 acres of wetland near Wolf Road and 135^th Street; and a 3-acre parcel across the street from the wetlands.  At the same time, outstanding litigation between the Forest Preserve and Standard Bank and Trust has been settled resulting in the Forest Preserve purchasing approximately 52 acres of land adjacent to the land being deeded to the Forest Preserve from Orland Park.  The end result is that the Forest Preserve District will add almost 60 acres to its holdings.

Commissioner Gorman said “this is a win-win situation for all concerned.  The Forest Preserve District will increase its holdings with quality lands and the public will be able to travel a safer roadway along 143^rd Street.

“This widening project is saving the homes on the south side of 143^rd Street, as well as improving the quality of people’s  lives who both live and travel in the area.  It has been a priority since being elected Commissioner.  I am thrilled and forever grateful to the staff of the Forest Preserve District, Gallagher & Henry and my staff for the endless hours that we worked with Village Manager, Paul Grimes, and Planning Director, Bob Sullivan of Orland Park, to negotiate and finalize this important agreement.

“This is a fine example of what can be accomplished when governmental and civic organizations, such as the Friends of the Forest Preserve and other environmental groups, work together to the benefit of the common good.”