How to bid on a Black Crown Marsh farm lease for Illinois DNR

What Illinois DNR is leasing

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is seeking bids for a farming lease covering approximately 90.92 acres at Black Crown Marsh State Natural Area for crop year 2027. The land is in Lake and McHenry counties.

The estimated annual lease value to the state is $13,638, based on $150 per acre. The notice estimates annual value to the vendor at $56,461.32. The Invitation for Bid provides detailed locations and acreage information.

Deadline and submission timing

Bids are due November 18, 2026, at 2:00 PM ET. Submit before the deadline and follow the submission directions in the bid documents.

Who this opportunity may suit

This lease may suit agricultural businesses or farm operators interested in farming state-owned land during the 2027 crop year. Review the IFB to understand the specific land locations, acreage, and bid requirements before deciding whether to respond.

How to review and respond

Open the bid’s detail page on BidBuy. The page is public and does not require sign-in to view; the solicitation documents are listed there.

To submit electronically, register a free vendor account on the portal. Otherwise, follow the submission directions in the bid. The solicitation is 27-422DNR-REALT-B-54119.

Prepare a clear, well-supported bid

Read the full Invitation for Bid, including its acreage details and submission instructions. Check that you understand the lease area and the basis for the unit cost, which the notice describes as total value per acre.

Work through your expected farming costs and proposed lease value before entering a bid. Confirm that your response includes every item requested in the IFB, uses the required submission method, and is submitted before the stated deadline.