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A SCENIC ROADS SYSTEM FOR ILLINOIS 
Many states now have a scenic road system, defined in one manner or another. California has one of the most successful 
in the nation, with over 6,000 miles of highway set aside free of commercial intrusions such as industry and billboards. 
Oregon and Ohio have similar distinctions. 
What is a Scenic Road? America the Beautiful describes it as ‘a beautiful, peaceful passage through interesting 
surroundings of some natural or historical value.” It suggests that a scenic road is one which has as a “common denominator 
in every case’’, the leisurely pace at which such roads can be enjoyed! 
In the Ford Times, Eunice Radke writes: ‘‘The road of my dreams is not a glistening paved highway shooting across a 
landscaped country-side, its curves banked with mathematical precision. My road is a graded once-a-'year road, shagg\’ and 
unkempt, meandering its leisurely way in a hit-or-miss uphill, downhill fashion. Unadorned by the usual array of signs 
marking curves or signboards blatantly advertising the latest products. It could be any one of a number of roads that wind off 
to quiet, obscure destinations of their own.” 
One of the finest such roads in the midwest is the Kettle Moraine Scenie Road in SE Wisconsin. It runs about 120 miles, 
connecting state parks; lovely, clean towns and historic sites. We recall with great fondness a milk shake at a drug store in 
Palmyra. We wrote a letter to the Editor of the Milwaukee Journal, thanking the people of this northern state for setting aside 
this little rural road, aptly marked with an acorn symbol. 
It inspired our efforts to establish a Scenic Roads System for Illinois in 1969. HB 1072 was introduced by State Rep. 
John Houlihan. It would eliminate billboards after seven years; provide for rest areas; create scenic corridors in the state; 
provide for a scenic roads board to administer the system; provide for a limitation of business and commercial firms along the 
route. The bill was modeled after the Oregon law, which has set aside 3,400 miles of scenic roads. 
In 1969, the bill had the support of the Independent Voters of Illinois, the Illinois Audubon Society and the Church 
Federation of Greater Chicago, among other groups. It died in the House Executive Committee, ostensibly because it asked 
for $25,000 from a state lacking in funds. With the new state income tax, and a surplus in the state treasury, this claim can no 
longer be made. Having retired from the very heavy duties as president of |AS, and from several other organizations as well, | 
hope to be able to devote more time to this proposal. 
The Illinois Planning and Conservation League, 122 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago 60603, will carry the main lobbying 
effort. The bill will be introduced into the state legislature by State Reps. John Houlihan of Park Forest and Glen Schneider 
of Naperville. The Senate effort will be led by State Senator Jack Kneupfer (R) of Elmhurst. With co-operation among 
conservation individuals and organizations, and the state administration, Illinois may have a scenic roads system in 1971. 
Let’s work for it. 
Raymond Mostek 
ILLINOIS WOMEN’S CLUBS CHOOSE RE—CYCLING AS THEME 
Delegates from 21 districts of the Illinois Federation of Women’s Clubs attended a three-day Environmental 
Responsibility Clinic at the Southern IIlinois University Outdoor Laboratory in mid-November. 
The programs included discussions on population pollution; the Law and Conservation; re-cycling, pesticides, and 
environmental education. |.A.S. Board Member, Alice Palmer, who attended the conference as a representative of the 15th 
District reports that ‘‘with 63,000 members of the women’s clubs in Illinois joining our battle, | was really heartened.”’ 
Beginning with the theme ‘Change Your Life’’, the ladies have chosen the re-cycling program as their project for the coming 
year. 


1970 BREEDING BIRD SURVEY 


In 1970 Illinois set a new high in its participation in the Breeding Bird Survey. Twenty-five observers completed 30 of 
the assigned routes. Although more routes were run this year than previously we still need observers in 26 countries. 
The co-operation of the [AS Chapters was most encouraging. There were 127 species sighted in all with the number of 
species per route varying from 33 to 73. The most interesting reports came from the southern tip of the state where 
most of the more unusual species were seen. A complete summary of the Illinois survey is being prepared for the 
BULLETIN. Anyone interested in taking part in the 1971 survey should contact the state co-ordinator, Maryann 
Gossmann at Rt. No. 1, Box 56, Plainfield, Illinois 60544. 





