Winthrop Harbor leaders say they were recently made aware of lease-renewal issues between the operator of the North Point Marina and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and are warning of dire local economic fallout if they are not resolved.

In a Thursday news release, the village said it was notified through unofficial channels of the potential issues about 10 days ago, and has been working with state legislators since.

Village Administrator David Alarcon said Winthrop Harbor officials have had minimal communication from the IDNR and are not aware of the nature of the lease matter.

He framed the current issue as a continuation of ongoing concerns the village has over communication between the small Lake Michigan community and the state agency that owns both the marina and Illinois Beach State Park lands.

While the marina is within the village’s boundaries, Winthrop Harbor does not operate, oversee or direct any of its functions, according to the release. The marina is operated by Suntex Marinas, based in Texas, which could not be reached for comment.

“All operational decisions, including maintenance, capital improvements, concessions, leasing, programming, and staffing, fall exclusively under IDNR authority or its designated operators,” the release said.

Attempts to get a response from IDNR officials were unsuccessful.

The release said Winthrop Harbor had contacted state Rep. Joyce Mason, D-Gurnee, and state Sen. Mary Edly-Allen, D-Libertyville, and that “neither had previously been made aware of any potential concerns regarding marina operations.”

Neither state legislator could be reached for comment.

Alarcon warned that if the marina were to close, the impact would be “devastating” to the local economy. The release described it as a “critical economic engine” and an “essential part” of the village’s identity.

A disruption could mean the loss of about 150 jobs, with ripple effects felt through its charter fishing industry, boat service and repair businesses, hospitality partners and restaurants, not to mention the strain it would cause local taxpayers.

Although the long-term consequences could be serious for the small village, the immediate situation is not nearly as dire, Alarcon said. The marina is currently at a “standstill” because of the winter weather, and he said the village is “confident” the issue can be cleared up before the weather warms up.

“The village is ready and willing to work with the IDNR to resolve this issue,” Alarcon said. “We’re ready and willing to provide any support we possibly can in assisting in this because it’s so important to us.”

In the last two years, Winthrop Harbor officials have repeatedly raised their concerns over a perceived lack of support from the state for water safety along Lake Michigan, particularly at Illinois Beach State Park, where there’s been a spate of drownings since the completion of an extensive beachfront renovation.

Winthrop Harbor’s relationship with the IDNR has seemingly been strained by such issues, and Alarcon said the marina situation is yet another example of lackluster communication.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/12/winthrop-harbor-marina/