Winnetka resident Ted Wynnychenko, who has been vocally outspoken about public beach access, was cited for allegedly trespassing on the property of billionaire Justin Ishbia last month, according to Winnetka police.between Ishbia and the Winnetka Park District for another swath of land he owns between Elder Lane and Centennial Beaches. The swap would see Ishbia receive a similar-sized parcel at the south edge of Centennial for the property at 261 Sheridan Road.
Wynnychenko stated he asked police several times at what point in the video he was on private land, to which he said he was given no answer. In his opinion, he doesn’t believe he was ever on private land, meaning Ishbia has no standing to file the complaint or place fencing to obstruct people from walking.
Renee Snow, general counsel for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, stated in an email to Wynnychenko that the public has a general right to access of the lake while Ishbia has a specific right to construct what has been permitted by the IDNR. Wynnychenko worries his citation is being used as a scare tactic to illegally keep people off of public land.