Lisa Hernandez Backed Bill Authorizing Sublease Agreement between Riverside Brookfield High School, Brookfield Zoo Signed into Law

CICERO, Ill. – Legislation to allow a sublease agreement between Riverside Brookfield High School and Brookfield Zoo that addresses issues facing parking infrastructure for both facilities, backed by State Rep. Elizabeth ‘Lisa’ Hernandez, D-Cicero, was signed into law on Friday.

“Our local high school and Brookfield Zoo are cornerstones of our community, and while their agreement to cooperatively address parking issues on high-volume days has worked in the past, we need a lasting, permanent solution to make sure both parties and their facilities are taken care of,” Hernandez said. “I am thankful to the General Assembly and Governor Pritzker for recognizing this urgent need and for joining me in this effort. This legislation goes to show that Springfield is committed to moving Illinois forward on local and statewide challenges.”

Hernandez’s Senate Bill 637 arose from the fact that, on high attendance days at the zoo, Riverside Brookfield High School allows for expanded parking on their lot, and during baseball or certain sports events, the Zoo lends part of their land for those competitions. While this agreement works perfectly well, there has been an issue of the parking and vehicular traffic causing ruts and damage to the parking area.

Hernandez’s legislation will allow the parties to enter into a sublease agreement whereby the Zoo commits to not parking in the school's lots and in return, the school would help invest in future parking infrastructure.

For more information, visit ILGA.gov.