On March 21, 2025, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed Senate Bill 867, authorizing the transfer of approximately 1,500 acres of Shabbona Lake State Park in DeKalb County to the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation. This land, originally part of a reservation granted to Chief Shab-eh-nay in the 1829 Treaty of Prairie du Chien, was unlawfully sold in 1849 during the tribe's temporary relocation.
The legislation ensures that the park remains open to the public, with the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources entering into a land management agreement. Tribal Chairman Joseph “Zeke” Rupnick hailed the move as a powerful example of collaboration and a step toward healing and reconciliation (Native News Online).
This transfer marks a pivotal moment in the Land Back movement, reflecting Illinois's commitment to addressing historical injustices and supporting Indigenous sovereignty.
