Starved Rock State Park to receive $33.8 million in upgrades, including trail improvements

Starved Rock State Park will receive $33.8 million in state funding for a wastewater treatment plant and trail improvements.

The funding, announced by the Capital Development Board and Illinois Department of Natural Resources, will support much-needed improvements to the park’s wastewater treatment system, ensuring it can effectively serve the high volume of visitors the park receives annually. Additionally, the investment will go toward trail enhancements to improve safety and accessibility.

“Starved Rock is one of Illinois’ most beloved natural treasures, which attracts millions of visitors each year,” said state Sen. Sue Rezin, R-Morris, who has advocated for improvements to the park. “For years, I have been fighting for critical upgrades to the park’s wastewater treatment facility, which is long overdue for improvements to meet environmental and safety standards. This funding is a major step forward in ensuring that Starved Rock remains a premier destination for outdoor recreation in Illinois.”

The park tallied more than 2.4 million visitors in 2024, which was the seventh-best year on record for attendance.

“Modernizing the park’s infrastructure is not just about maintaining its natural beauty, but also about protecting the health and safety of its visitors,” Rezin said. “I’m proud to have been a strong advocate for securing these funds and will continue to fight for investments that protect our natural resources and enhance our local economy.”

Rezin said she remains committed to ensuring that the park receives the attention and resources it needs to properly accommodate its large number of visitors while preserving its unique landscape.

The Starved Rock State Park funding was among more than $60 million in investments to address deferred maintenance projects for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The funding, made possible by Gov. JB Pritzker’s Rebuild Illinois capital plan, focused on five areas.

“Through Rebuild Illinois, we are making meaningful investments in communities across the state so that Illinoisans – no matter their Zip code – benefit from our state’s progress,” Pritzker said in a news release. “Today, I am pleased to announce over $60 million in funding for vital community projects, which will help improve IDNR facilities and parks, drive economic growth and improve the lives of residents in Illinois’ rural communities.”

The projects aim to address essential repairs, including water and wastewater systems, trail and bridge replacements, and site preservation efforts. State parks, such as Starved Rock and Lake Murphysboro, will see improvements that will provide recreational and educational benefits to the public.

“The people of Illinois deserve to enjoy outdoor experiences that are safe and accessible,” IDNR Director Natalie Phelps Finnie said in a news release. “I want to thank Gov. Pritzker for getting the state’s financial house in order so that there is money available for tackling improvement projects like these that have been delayed for far too long.”

Along with Starved Rock State Park, Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park in Rock Island, Bureau, Henry, Lee and Whiteside counties will receive $10.2 million to plan and repair Lock 33 near Rock Falls in Whiteside County, ensuring structural integrity and operational capacity while preserving its historic status.