Ginseng in Illinois forest preserves?? Southern suburbs of Chicago.

[Crossnick20]

I love fishing, since I heard about ginseng and saw a pic of it I realized I've seen this plant thousands of times in my life.  It is a very familiar plant, I remember seeing it when I was a kid in the woods.  It was everywhere.  I've hiked a total of about 20 hrs the past week deep into the cook county forest preserves to find the ginseng.  I can't find a single ginseng plant anywhere.  I'm pretty savy on soil and growing conditions, I've recognized nearly every single companion plant, walked many northern facing slope........I have literally recognized all the companion plants and trees associated with ginseng.  Does anyone know what's going on? Is it all poached?  Or could it be it just doesn't grow here?  Any response from someone that knows the area would be great.

[Brad]

I don't know the area at all, but would suspect that it might well have been dug out many years ago and never replanted.  It sounds like good area you describe, however.  Good luck in your search.