Local historians and activists dedicated to preserving the history of the Underground Railroad in the Chicago area and its southern suburbs are expressing their enthusiasm for recent advancements in state legislation aimed at creating a commission focused on this pivotal narrative of American history.
The proposed Illinois Freedom Trails Commission seeks to enhance educational opportunities surrounding a significant aspect of history that remains largely unknown to many residents. In addition to educational outreach, it is expected to stimulate tourism related to the journeys of ‘freedom seekers’ who passed through Illinois on their way to freedom.
As documented by local researchers, the Chicago area served as an essential stop for many slaves fleeing Southern states, enabling them to get closer to Canada via Detroit.
Recent developments indicate that the legislation for this commission has successfully advanced through the state Senate and is awaiting action from the House of Representatives, as noted by state Rep. Debbie Meyers-Martin from Matteson, the chief co-sponsor in the House and co-chair of the state’s Underground Railroad Task Force that facilitated the legislation’s introduction.
Meyers-Martin emphasized the wealth of information that researchers across Illinois have amassed regarding the Underground Railroad, all of which could be centralized in a database if the commission is established.
“We would have the opportunity to inform the public about how Illinois was participatory in the Underground Railroad,” she stated.
One key route discussed by Meyers-Martin is Sauk Trail, a busy roadway in her district that historically served as part of the freedom seekers’ network.
According to the proposed legislation, the commission would consist of a chair and ten members appointed by the governor. Its objectives include advancing research on the routes taken by freedom seekers, creating an online database, and compiling biographical information about significant figures associated with the Underground Railroad.
The commission is also expected to collaborate with the Illinois State Board of Education to create an educational program available to all public schools. Additionally, they’d establish standards and guidelines for historical markers and signage, as well as explore opportunities for heritage tourism.
Larry McClellan, an expert in Underground Railroad history and president of the Midwest Underground Railroad Network, highlighted that a modest statewide network focused on the history of the Underground Railroad is set to launch this fall, in anticipation of the commission’s establishment.
“We’re glad for the progress but we know it will take time,” McClellan noted, reflecting on the slow but steady journey towards the realization of the commission.
McClellan’s background includes teaching at Governors State University for three decades, where he is now an emeritus professor. His extensive experience includes a tenure as village president of University Park in the mid-1970s and involvement with various historical societies.
Despite ongoing dialogue about the significance of the Underground Railroad, McClellan pointed out that the general public often remains uninformed about its true narrative, sometimes misconstrued as solely an initiative led by white abolitionists.
“The reality is that men, women, Black families, and white families all had different experiences with freedom seekers,” McClellan explained.
Tom Shepherd, secretary of the Midwest Underground Railroad Network, formerly known as the Little Calumet River Underground Railroad Project, also expressed support for the commission.
With new office space inside South Holland’s First Reformed Church, the organization has expanded its mission to include community education and historical preservation, primarily focused on addressing the fact that the journeys of freedom seekers are often neglected in local history narratives.
“A lot of escaped slaves came through this area, and we want to bring that story to people,” Shepherd asserted.
Over the last few years, Shepherd’s organization has partnered with the Cook County Forest Preserve District to offer Underground Railroad history tours, with the first of this year scheduled for the coming Saturday.
“We have identified a number of sites that were safe houses or stopovers on the trail,” he noted, emphasizing the importance of public awareness.
Participants in these tours frequently express surprise at their previous lack of knowledge about the Underground Railroad.
Shepherd highlighted the potential for the commission to not only educate the public but also increase tourism connected to historical sites located in Chicago’s South Side and surrounding suburbs by showcasing this often-overlooked history.
“We have this story right here in our backyard,” he said.
This summer, Shepherd’s organization plans to collaborate with interns from the University of Chicago and Purdue University to conduct further research on potential historical sites in Illinois and Indiana, building a more comprehensive narrative around the Underground Railroad.
Pending approval from the General Assembly and subsequent signature from the governor, the commission will be situated under the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
While the initial funding requirements remain uncertain, Meyers-Martin expressed optimism that the DNR will allocate resources for the commission in its upcoming budget.
McClellan concluded by stating that the commission’s success will not rely heavily on financial backing but rather the establishment of a centralized office to support ongoing initiatives and research efforts.
With the Illinois Freedom Trails Commission on the verge of becoming a reality, both historians and community advocates are optimistic about the future of Underground Railroad heritage in the state.
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