SHABBONA – The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation is set to regain land in Illinois that was taken from them over 175 years ago. Governor JB Pritzker signed a bill on Friday that allows the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to transfer the title of Shabbona Lake State Park, a 1,500-acre park in southern DeKalb County, back to the tribe. The land, which overlaps the tribe’s original reservation, was sold at auction in the 19th century without proper authorization. While the tribe plans to keep the park open for public use, officials have ruled out developing it for commercial purposes, including a casino. The land is expected to become part of the tribe’s newly recognized reservation in Illinois.
