State Sen. Sue Rezin, residents urge careful local review of proposed Fox River Resort redevelopment

State Sen. Sue Rezin urged LaSalle County officials to subject the proposed redevelopment of the former Fox River Resort to close local review, warning that some state proposals could limit communities’ ability to weigh large developments.

"Local zoning is not about saying yes or no to every project," Rezin said, adding that counties and residents deserve "a seat at the table before major decisions are made." She said the Governor’s Build program and related legislation under discussion could establish statewide siting standards that would reduce local discretion, and she said federal review under the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) had been requested to examine the transaction because of nearby critical infrastructure.

Why it matters: The redevelopment proposal envisions permanent residential uses on land historically used for temporary vacation and timeshare activity. Residents and the senator flagged potential strains on roads, emergency services, utilities and schools if the site were converted for dense, long-term occupancy.

Residents' concerns and allegations

Nicole Bowles, introduced by the chair as a speaker on the list, told the board that marketing for the project advertised turnkey apartments for "up to 2,000 new residents" and said the community lacks the roads, traffic controls and emergency capacity to support that scale. Bowles also raised historic‑preservation worries, saying the area around the resort is in a zone of archaeological sensitivity and citing the Illinois Human Remains Protection Act in urging careful review.

"The traffic congestion would be a nuisance," Bowles said, and warned that the single steep exit road, nearby floodplain and volunteer fire department response times could create safety and evacuation challenges.

Environmental and enforcement history

Bowles also said the property sits in a FEMA 100‑year floodplain along the Fox River and urged compliance with DNR and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permitting for any rezoning or planned unit development. She told the board the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has an ‘‘extensive history’’ with the resort and had cited it for sewage discharges into local ditches and the river.

Allegations about marketing and religious features

Joseph Calvin, who identified himself as a resident and the digital director of a local outlet, told the board he had reviewed promotional materials for the project and alleged that early marketing explicitly targeted Muslim families, referenced Sharia‑compliant financing and framed the development as a faith‑based gated community. "Only after significant backlash did they soften or remove that language," he said, adding that materials earlier promoted fractional investment opportunities and open houses before the transaction was finalized.

Calvin urged the county to demand full public disclosure of ownership, operational plans, security arrangements and any faith‑based elements if rezoning is ever sought, and he suggested the board scrutinize whether developers made misleading claims about ownership or sales that merit investigation.

Calls for due diligence

Michelle Peterson, a nearby resident, asked the county to insist on thorough, transparent due diligence before any sale or redevelopment proceeds, noting that public messaging about the project has changed after questions from neighbors.

Votes at a glance

The board completed several routine procedural actions at the start of the meeting, including motions to approve the prior meeting minutes and a motion related to an American Rescue Plan bill; the chair announced the motions carried after roll call.

What happens next

Speakers repeatedly urged that any formal rezoning or approval process must include full public disclosure of ownership and plans and careful review of infrastructure, environmental and historic impacts. Several speakers asked that county staff and elected officials ensure the local zoning process proceed openly and with ample opportunity for resident input.

The board then moved on to other items on the agenda.