Yesterday's Press Conference in Support of the Route 53 Extension Referendum

From the News Sun, GRAYSLAKE -- Pro-Route 53 groups are hoping Lake County's advisory referendum Tuesday will provide long-sought consensus on extending the highway north to Route 120.

The "Build 53 Yes Coalition" ramped up its campaign to bring out a favorable vote Wednesday afternoon with signs, banners and speakers in favor of the controversial project.

The group includes labor and business organizations, as well as some municipal representatives and officials of the Lake County Farm Bureau.

"I'm excited Lake County has taken steps to bring it to an advisory referendum," said Round Lake Mayor Bill Gentes, who said he supports the extension because it will help alleviate congestion and bring people closer to jobs and, hopefully, jobs to Lake County.

"I'm talking about quality of life. Here in Round Lake, commuting is terrible," he said. "Route 53 would help people get off the roads sooner and home with their families."

Gentes said the extension would make it easier for central Lake County commuters to make it to job destinations along the Lake-Cook Road and Tri-State Tollway corridors, as well as attracting more business locally.

"It's bringing everything a little closer to the front burner, something we definitely need in order for this to happen," Dwight Houchins, president of the Lake County Chamber of Commerce, said of the referendum.

Houchins said the extension would "certainly promote commerce and industry" in the county. "It's an improved way to get around the county," he said.

Greg Koeppen, manager of the Lake County Farm Bureau, said the bureau has supported the extension for more than a decade because traffic problems are the top problem in the county.

"It affects farmers trying to move from field to field, too," Koeppen said. "Picture a combine that's backed up along with your regular SUVs."

Koeppen said development is going to come to Lake County with or without the extension, and current roads are not keeping up.

Grayslake Mayor Tim Perry said his village has supported the extension and he hopes the advisory referendum demonstrates countywide support to state officials.

"Traffic congestion is the number one roadblock to economic development," Perry said. "At the very least, whether we ever build 53, the voters of Lake County need to send a message to Springfield that we need traffic relief and we need it now."