
-~ 4 - I.4.S. Newsletter, February 1967 
UPROAR AT CHICAGO McCORMICK PLACE HEARINGS 
Thirty organizations, including the Illinois Audubon Society, protested 
the proposed expansion of McCormick Place at 23rd street and the Lake in 
Burnham Park, before the Chicago Plan Commission and Mayor Richard Daley on 
Dec. 15, 1966. The public hearing on the proposal by the Metropolitan Fair and 
Exposition Authority lasted over four hours, The MFEA had been under attack 
by the Federation for an Open Lake Front (123 W. Madison St., Chicago) for its 
plan to add 204,000 square feet to the gigantic commercial structure and 
convention hall which rests on park land along the lakefront. It pays no rent 
for this land; the Chicago Park District accepts $1.00 annually as part of the 
lease arrangement, 
Rabbi Jacob Weinstein of the K.A.M. Temple, and the President of the 
Chicago Board of Rabbis, received a standing ovation from the capacity audience 
of over 450 persons who jammed the City Hall Council chambers. He was eloquent 
in his plea for preservation of open space and park land, Other organizations 
which testified included the City Club, the Sierra Club, the Daniel Burnham 
Committee, the American Institute of Architects, the protestant-oriented Church 
Federation of Greater Chicago, the Ill. Fed. Sportsmens Clubs, the Chicago 
Heritage Committee, and the Chicago Region PTA, 
The Independent Voters of Illinois suggested any plan to extend McCormick 
Place would have political repercussions in the April city elections. When 
Mayor Daley offered his testimonial that he favored the McCormick Place conven- 
tion hall back in 1958, and favors its expansion now, large numbers of conserva- 
tionists walked out to indicate their disapproval of the Mayor's views. When 
Mayor Daley suggested that theexpansion be westward instead of southward, the 
proposal was greeted with loud jeers and cries of "Tear it down" and "Don't 
wreck the Lakefront." The MFEA by law can absorb up to 180 acres of Burnham 
Park, The Dllinois Audubon Society expressed great concern over more use of 
lakefront park land by a commercial structure, and indicated a fear over use 
of more park land for a future sports complex,. It suggested, instead, that 
slum land be cleared for any such civic enterprise, 
Local Affairs Committee. 




BE A CONSERVATION DROP-IN, NOT A DROP-OUT - RENEW YOUR DUES 
ee ee ee eee a ee aa 
The Illinois Audubon Society is growing faster percentagewise than any 
other state-wide conservation group. We have grown because many people 
are looking for more vigorous leadership in the conservation field, We 
have many new projects, larger committees, and more members than at any 
time in recent history. Though it costs $6.32 to service every member 
- according to a recent study - we have kept the dues low to: (a) attract 
more members; (b) help establish more chapters; (c) advance the Audubon 
movement. If you are satisfied we are doing a good job, we ask you to 
inerease your dues to $5.00 or to $10.00. This will aid immeasurably in 
the tasks ahead, We are still working with a volunteer staff and the 
burdens of office increase daily. We are nowhere near the strength we 
should be in members or financially in a state the size of Dllinois,. 
Other states with a lower per capita income have twice as many members 
and ten times the organization income. Help us to add more vigor and 
strength to the Audubon-Conservation movement in Illinois, 






BE A CONSERVATION DROP-IN: RENEW YOUR DUES - RAISE YOUR SIGHTS 
in ttn Pn nn a, ne 
- Membership Committee - 

