She Cycled Around the World… and Through the Southland

When legendary endurance cyclist Lael Wilcox circled the globe in 2024, she didn’t just pass through Chicago.

She came through the Southland.

At one point in her record-breaking 18,000 mile journey, Wilcox rode from Joliet along the Old Plank Trail, through Matteson, Chicago Heights, Glenwood, Thornton and Lansing. The Southland Development Authority’s (SDA’s) Jay Readey, a cycling enthusiast himself, said she used the same connected trail system that runs through the forest preserves of the south suburbs.

From the south suburbs, residents can reach downtown Chicago and Northwest Indiana by bike or on foot, and, as Readey put it, “the connection … to the entire world.”

That route is part of the American Discovery Trail, the only coast-to-coast, non-motorized trail in the United States. It stretches from Delaware to California. 6,800 miles. It links urban centers, small towns and natural corridors across the country.

It also presents a significant economic opportunity.

A “Trail Town” in the Southland

Across the country, communities located along long-distance trails have adopted a strategy known as becoming a “trail town”. Basically, they leverage trail access to (at least help) drive their economies.

Readey said: “It’s tourism spending. It’s small business growth. It’s restaurants, cafes, bike shops. But it’s also public health, community pride and livability.”

Thornton is uniquely positioned to benefit.

The Village is bordered by forest preserves on three sides. The 21-mile Thorn Creek runs through it, connecting to the Little Calumet River and eventually Lake Michigan. The trail corridor links directly into the Old Plank Trail. For context, that’s one of the most well-used recreational paths in the region.

“It’s as entrenched in the forest as it gets,” Readey said. “Forest preserves on three sides.” Readey seems able to describe any path and where it leads in detail. In practical terms, this path’s existence means a cyclist or hiker entering Illinois from Indiana can pass through Lansing, Glenwood and Thornton quite easily. With convenient restaurants and businesses just steps from the trail.

“It goes right past local spots,” Readey noted. “What’s missing is awareness and coordination.”

Unlike the Appalachian Trail or Pacific Crest Trail, the American Discovery Trail does not yet have full federal designation as a National Scenic Trail. Although advocates are pushing for recognition under a proposed “National Discovery Trail” category.

Still, its reach and impact are real.

Readey believes the Southland’s next move is straightforward: execution. He has been engaged with the SDA’s “Green Playground” strategy, working with Cook County government to promote outdoor recreation in the South Suburbs.

“We’ve got the infrastructure. We’ve got the forest preserves. We’ve got the trail network,” he said. “Now we need to tell the story and connect the pieces.”

That includes developing and publishing a Southland guidebook highlighting how to navigate the region by foot or bicycle; including where to eat, stay and explore along the way.

The initiative is being supported in part through partnerships with regional tourism leaders and trail advocates.

“There’s a real push to welcome trail users into Illinois and into the Southland,” Readey said. “We’re at the beginning of that, but the SDA is tied in.”

From Local Trail to Global Connection

Wilcox’s record-setting ride brought new attention to just how connected the Southland’s trail network truly is.

Readey said she’s planning a return attempt to break the overall world record. And once again, she’ll be starting and finishing in Chicago, with a pass right through the Southland.

For residents, the impact doesn’t have to be as dramatic as a global cycling record.

The same trail access allows someone in Thornton to ride to a train station and head downtown for a White Sox game. Becoming a trail town can also influence property values, attract entrepreneurs and create new tax revenue.

Communities across the country, Readey explained, have seen measurable economic returns from intentional trail integration.

From Thornton to Lake Michigan. From Lansing to downtown Chicago. From the South Suburbs to, well, anywhere. Literally anywhere. And the SDA is on the trail.

About the Southland Development Authority

The Southland Development Authority, a not-for-profit economic development organization, is committed to driving equitable and sustainable economic growth in the south suburbs of Chicago. Through innovative programs, strategic partnerships, and impactful direct investments, the SDA is building a vibrant, inclusive economy that drives wealth growth for individuals, businesses and municipalities. Combined with the benefits of the South Suburban Land Bank and the Monarch Fund, the SDA serves as a model for regional development.