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Together for Taft asks NIU trustees for escorted access and clarity on Laredo Taft transfer
Summary
Speakers from the nonprofit Together for Taft told the Northern Illinois University trustees they want structured, escorted recurring access to the Laredo Taft Field Campus during a planned transfer to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and asked the university to clarify which parcels are included and the timeline for next steps.
Members of the public urged the Northern Illinois University Board of Trustees to provide clearer timelines and limited, escorted access to the Laredo Taft Field Campus while the university pursues a transfer to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Julie Bassett, who identified herself as a leader of the nonprofit Together for Taft, told trustees the group has formalized as an independent nonprofit and is engaging potential partners and funders.
"We are not here in opposition. We are here in partnership," Bassett said, asking the university for four specific items: structured, recurring escorted access for serious prospective partners; clarity on whether all three parcels are intended to be included in the transfer to IDNR; information about any remaining state approvals or procedures required; and a hopeful timeline and next actionable steps so the nonprofit can continue planning. Bassett said the group has been in discussions with community colleges and has letters of support from regional superintendents.
Other public commenters reinforced the request. Monica Hubbell described the group's grassroots origins, the breadth of community support and the educational value the site provided to generations of schoolchildren. Former teacher Mark Nason recounted bringing fifth graders to the campus for outdoor education and said he would like to serve as a steward if NIU will not maintain the site. Local resident Nick Hanson recounted childhood memories of Taft and urged trustees to preserve opportunities for future students.
Together for Taft requested that access be limited and supervised rather than unrestricted and asked for confirmation whether all three parcels currently described in university materials would be part of any transfer to IDNR. Bassett also asked the board to identify any state‑level approvals that remain outstanding and to keep the nonprofit informed as the university proceeds.
The board acknowledged the public comments and thanked speakers for their involvement; trustees did not take formal action on the Taft requests at the meeting. The board's public comment period concluded before the committee moved on to financial reports and the single action item on the agenda.
