FAQ

The IIPD acts as a shipping and receiving center for goods, products, and natural resources that travel from all across the globe. It works in conjunction with railroads and trucking to deliver items that travel through our waterways. The IIPD also acts as a docking station for passenger cruise ships.

The IIPD is located in the Greater Calumet region of Chicago. The IIPD currently owns approximately 1,800 acres of land bordering Lake Michigan and Lake Calumet.

The Port is divided into two areas of operation: 1) Lake Calumet and 2) Iroquois Landing.

Lake Calumet consists of approximately 1,600 acres of commercial and industrial land. The north end is primarily recreation-oriented, while the south, east, and southwest areas are primarily industrial uses.

Iroquois Landing, at the mouth of the Calumet River, is approximately 190 acres of industrial land

Yes, the IIPD is a significant contributor to both jobs and taxes. In 2017, 6,381 jobs in Illinois were supported by cargo moving through its marine terminals located at the port. Additionally, a total of $192.5 million in state and federal taxes were generated by cargo and vessel activity.

The purpose of the Plan is to provide the IIPD with a clear vision of how the Port should develop its properties at Iroquois Landing and Lake Calumet through 2050. The Plan will identify strategies to better utilize existing facilities and position the Port to realize it’s full economic potential, while also providing workforce, community, recreational and environmental benefits.

The Plan will be divided into two phases. The first phase will include examining existing conditions, performing market assessments and visioning. In the second phase, several scenarios for improvements and potential developments will be identified, while also identifying key recreational, community and environmental initiatives.

Throughout the plan’s development, the project team will engage stakeholders and local communities to help develop a series of near and long-term implementable actions that will be undertaken by the Port and its partners.

The Master Plan is expected to be completed by Fall 2021 and will need to be approved by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources prior to its release to the public. 

Stakeholder and public involvement will be an important aspect of the plan’s development. A Steering Committee, consisting of public and private sector representatives, will be convened to assist in the Master Plan development. Outreach to additional stakeholders and the community-at-large will be conducted throughout the development of the plan through a public survey, interviews and open houses.