FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CHICAO, IL – (May 4, 2026) Momentum is building again to complete the Grand Illinois Trail. Over the past several months, more than 50 local public entities, trail advocates, cycling communities, regional agencies, and tourism leaders have come together with the renewed purpose of completing the 500-mile route of the Grand Illinois Trail. The Grand Illinois Trail Alliance was formed in September 2025 and will be a powerful voice committed to completing the trail.
Initially envisioned in 1995 by the State of Illinois, the Grand Illinois Trail has been decades in the making, as most long-distance trails are. The Appalachian Trail took 80 years to complete. The Ice Age and North Country hiking trails in Wisconsin started in 1980 and are halfway complete. The Grand Illinois Trail started 30 years ago and 90% of the route is complete, linking iconic Illinois destinations: from the Chicago lakefront and Fox River Valley, through prairie farmlands, to the Mississippi River bluffs.
Despite being the longest and most complete long-distance trail in the Midwest, the Grand Illinois Trail remains one of Illinois’ best-kept tourism secrets. Only ten gaps still need to be closed with trail development, but they represent some of the tougher and more expensive projects.
Nonetheless, local governments are actively pursuing trail projects on five of these remaining gaps, each in various stages of engineering. A Grand Illinois Trail Steering Committee has been meeting to guide the formation of the Alliance. “There is a need to regroup with a strong voice for finishing the trail. It represents the longest loop trail system of any neighboring states – Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan and Indiana networks don’t compare,” according to Terry Mattson, CEO and President of Galena Country Tourism.
These five gaps include:
- The Burnham Greenway straddling the border between Chicago and the Village of Burnham
- A Lansing Trail that will connect the Pennsy Greenway with the Thorn Creek Trail
- The Canal Connecter Trail which will link the I&M Canal Trail with the Hennepin Canal Trail
- A Carbon Cliff trail which will link the Hennepin Canal Trail with the Great River Trail at the Mississippi River
- A stretch of the Great River Trail which will link the City of Savanna with the Mississippi Palisades State Park
The Grand Illinois Trail will showcase its efforts in 2026 with four events: Crystal Lake on May 30, Freeport to Lake Le-Aqua-Na on June 6, Galena on June 13, and Ottawa on August 22. Each event will spotlight a different part of the trail with the purpose of increasing awareness of the trail system, building public enthusiasm, and highlighting the need for investment needed to fill the final gaps. “We welcome participation from the Governor’s office, Enjoy Illinois, and the Illinois Department of Transportation. The Grand Illinois Trail is possibly the largest investment in recreational infrastructure in the State, easily surpassing a quarter billion dollars so far. It only makes sense to complete it, market it, and reap the benefits,” said Nicole Haas, Marketing and Tourism Director for the Greater Freeport Partnership.
The Steering Committee of the Grand Illinois Trail is convened by Openlands, a leading regional conservation nonprofit and a nationally accredited land trust. For further information contact any of the following members of the Grand Illinois Trail Steering Committee.
Grand Illinois Trail Steering Committee
Leslie Rauer – South Suburban Mayors and Managers – leslie.rauer@ssmma.org – 708-206-1155
Bryan Schmid – Bi-State Regional Commission – 309-793-6300
Terry Mattson – Galena Country Tourism – tmattson@visitgalena.org – 815-776-9200
Mayor Val Gunnarson – mayor@savanna-il.us – 815-273-2251
Dave Simmons – RIDE Illinois – dave@rideillinois.org – 847-254-0873
Jay McCracken – Ottawa Chamber of Commerce – j.mccracken@ottawachamberillinois.com – 815-433-0084
Sarah Rummel – McHenry County Conservation District – srummel@mccdistrict.org – 815-338-6223
Steve Ehlbeck – Jane Addams Trail – sehlbeck49@outlook.com – 815-761-8717
Alex Perez – Active Transportation Alliance – alex@activetrans.org – 312-427-3325
Eric Oberg – Rails to Trails Conservancy – eric@railstotrails.org – 614-837-6782
Sara Egan – Openlands – segan@openlands.org – 312-863-6154
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About Openlands
Founded in 1963, Openlands protects the natural and open spaces of northeastern Illinois and the surrounding region to ensure cleaner air and water, protect natural habitats and wildlife, and help balance and enrich our lives. Openlands works across areas to advance nature-based solutions to climate change, improve the health and well-being of communities, and create a more verdant region for all.