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Newsletter Editor: Douglas E, Wade, 106 Depot St., Oregon, Ill, 61061 
Phone: Area Code 815 - 732-6890 

LINOIS AUDUBON SOCISTY JOINS COURT BATTLE FOR LAKE FRONT 
—————— SS Sn SR UR LAKE FRONT 
By an act of the Illinois General Assembly in 1963, the US Steel Co. obtained 
title to 194 acres of Submerged lake land at 79th Street in Chicago. The price 
was $100.00 an acre, The legislative act was challenged in the courts ina 
case known as Droste vs, Kerner, The Illinois Supreme Court heard legal arguments 
on three different occasions, In two instances the court found for US Steel; in one 
instance they found for the taxpayers and conservationists, 
In February, 1966, the Illinois Audubon Society joined the Daniel Burnham 
Committee, the Illinois Federation of Sportsmens Clubs, the Conservation Council, the 
Lincoln Park Conservation Assn,, the Loyola Improvement Assn., the Chicago Heritage 
Committee, and the Great Lakes Chapter of the Sierra Club, in a protest against 
the statute. Two separate briefs were filed. The first one dealt with the right of 
a citizen to bring suit in matters concerning the disposition of public land, The 
second brief dealt with the merit of the case, suggesting that the legislative act 
was special interest legislation, and under the Illinois law, it was unconstitutional, 
Attorneys for the conservation forces donated their legal talent, spending a great 
deal of time and research for the case, 
The Illinois Supreme Court, on March 24, 1966, reversed itself for a second time, 
and ruled in favor of US Steel Co, Needless to say, even the lawyers are confused by 
these several hearings and reversals 
Now the conservation forces intend to bring this matter before the Supreme Court 
of the United States, Over $3,750.00 mist be raised to help pay for legal costs, 
filing fees, printing, etc. Once again, the conservation-minded lawyers are donating 
their talent and time, Three conservation clubs, including IAS, are participants, 
We repeat that there are two important points in this case: (1) the right of a 
taxpayer to bring suit on an issue of public concern, and (2) the dubious right of 
a legislative body to give-away land to a Special interest or group. These two points 
‘have national significance for conservation movement, 
If you have not yet donated funis to aid i 
n this urgent and significant legal 
battle, we remind you to do so now. 
Send your donation, large or small, to: 
Save ‘Lake Michigan Fund, Illinois Audubon Society 
Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, Ill, 60605 
Make your checks payable to: ILLINOIS AUDUBON SOCIzTY, 
tax-deductible. Our combined Strength makes the task easier, 
the load, 
All donations are 
Please’ helpijcarry 
Ut MALY 
-»-eRaymond Mostek, President 

