Is there a Bill before the State Legislature in Illinois allowing the Sale of the WSRC in Sparta?

User Sparta Sid says so.

Thanks to all my homies in the trenches.

I report. You decide.
merlo out.

 

I would post a link, but I don't think that is allowed. This is part of it.

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
HB5247


Introduced 2/10/2026, by Rep. David Friess


SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

30 ILCS 500/1-41 new
30 ILCS 605/7.10 new


Amends the State Property Control Act. Provides that notwithstanding any other provision of the Act or any other law to the contrary, the Director of Natural Resources may dispose of the World Shooting and Recreational Complex located in Sparta, Illinois. Provides that the Director may sell the complex. Provides that if the Director opts to sell the World Shooting and Recreational Complex, the Director shall dispose of the property using a competitive sealed proposal process. Establishes requirements of the proposal process. Provides that the Director may order such surveys, abstracts of title, or commitments for title insurance, environmental reports, property condition reports, appraisals, or any other services or materials as the Director may deem necessary. Provides that all conveyances of property made by the Director under this provision shall be by quit claim deed and subject to existing public utilities, existing public roads, and any and all reservations, easements, encumbrances, covenants, and restrictions of record. Provides that moneys received from the sale of real property under this provision, and deemed necessary to repay tax-exempt bond proceeds issued for the purpose of acquisition, development, or improvement of the property, shall be deposited into the Capital Development Fund. Provides that any remaining funds may be deposited into other special funds used in the acquisition and development of the property by the State, provided that any obligations of the State to the purchaser acquiring the property, a contractor involved in the sale of the property, or a unit of local government may be remitted from the proceeds during the closing process and need not be deposited in the State treasury prior to closing. Amends the Illinois Procurement Code to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.

LRB104 19741 HLH 33191 b




A BILL FOR




HB5247 LRB104 19741 HLH 33191 b
1 AN ACT concerning finance.

2 Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3 represented in the General Assembly:

4 Section 5. The Illinois Procurement Code is amended by
5 adding Section 1-41 as follows:

6 (30 ILCS 500/1-41 new)
7 Sec. 1-41. Application to the Department of Natural
8 Resources World Shooting and Recreational Complex. In
9 accordance with Section 7.9 of the State Property Control Act,
10 this Code does not apply to any procurements related to the
11 sale of the World Shooting and Recreational Complex, provided
12 that the process shall be conducted in a manner substantially
13 in accordance with the requirements of the following Sections
14 of this Code: 20-160, 50-5, 50-10, 50-10.5, 50-12, 50-13,
15 50-15, 50-20, 50-21, 50-35, 50-36, 50-37, 50-38, and 50-50.
16 The exemption contained in this Section does not apply to any
17 leases involving the World Recreational Shooting Complex.

18 Section 10. The State Property Control Act is amended by
19 adding Section 7.10 as follows:

20 (30 ILCS 605/7.10 new)
21 Sec. 7.10. Department of Natural Resources World Shooting

 

Old News...

 

I think that a similar bill came up back in 2023 or so. Apparently there were no takers back then, and who knows about now.

Who would be actually interested in purchasing the complex? The only prospective buyer that comes to mind, might be the ATA, and they don't seem to be interested.

I was there at the first grand held in 2006. There were high expectations back then for hotels being built in the area, shopping centers, etc. But sadly not much came to pass...

The trapshooting museum moved there in 2016, I believe...

 

Pay attention Brad.....

This is a new Bill put forth by David Friess in February.

There are thousands of acres there of improved property with many lakes and such. Housing developers, theme parks, and golf courses could go there. I don't see anyone wanting to buy it for shooting. We know how that has worked out.

 

There is a 2.2 million dollar horse barn there. Great place for an new gated Amish Community.