Independence Grove Open to Visitors

Independence Grove Forest Preserveis open for business.

The Libertyville forest preserve reopened Saturday morning "following a determination by Lake County Forest Preserve District officials that a bomb threat risk had passed and the area is safe for public use," Lake County Forest Preserves officials said in a statement on the Forest Preserves website. "All regularly scheduled events and activities have resumed at the preserve."

Forest Preserves officials announced July 17 that Independence Grove would be closed due to a bomb threat. The threat was received in a letter by mail, according to Julie Kenney, public information representative for the United States Postal Inspection Service.

In a statement on the Lake County Forest Preserves website, officials said the target of the threat was a privately-hosted event that was scheduled to take place at Independence Grove. 

"Extensive search efforts over the course of the week were carried out by the Lake County Forest Preserve Ranger Police and by several skilled bomb detection canine teams and their handlers from the Cook County Sheriff’s Police Department Bomb Unit. No suspicious devices or materials were found anywhere on the property or its structures and facilities," officials said in the statement.

“First and foremost on our minds was to secure the site and protect the public so no harm would come to them from this threat. We are grateful for the sympathetic support and understanding we have received from our preserve visitors during the closure of Independence Grove, which is one of the most popular outdoor recreation destinations in the county,” said Ann Maine, president of the Lake County Forest Preserves.

“On behalf of the District and my fellow public safety officers, I would like to acknowledge and thank members of the Cook County Sheriff’s Police Department Bomb Unit for offering their assistance to the investigation. The bomb detection canine teams made multiple sweeps of the preserve, which helped us to expedite a thorough search effort and to reopen the preserve sooner than would otherwise have been possible,” said Chief of Ranger Police, John Tannahill, Lake County Forest Preserves.

The investigation of the threat is ongoing.