Governor Rod Blagojevich has proposed funding cuts that would result in the closing of 11 state parks and 14 historic sites.  These closures would come via over $17 million in cuts to the budget of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR).  

In September 2008, legislators in Springfield stepped up to take action and enough funding to keep these parks open -- but only through diverting other IDNR funds. Governor Blagojevich signed the appropriations bill that would keep our parks open in mid-November, but promised only enough funding to save 4 of the 11 state parks. 

Without further legislative action, the IDNR is still facing $17 million in budget cuts.  And seven state parks are still scheduled to shut down operations on November 30, 2008. 

Environment Illinois is fighting hard against IDNR budget cuts and state park and historic site closures.  We need to work toward a long-term solution -- a dedicated funding source for the IDNR.  And we need your help.     

Lt. Governor Pat Quinn has set up an online petition where Illinois citizens can sign on and have their voices heard.  It reads as follows: 

Dear Governor Blagojevich,

State parks provide numerous benefits to our lives, well-being, and local communities and businesses. With the prices of gasoline and food soaring, parks and natural areas are affordable destinations for vacation, leisure time, and pursuing healthy lifestyles.

Spending time outdoors with our families and friends may be personally priceless in value, but those of us who watch wildlife, hunt or fish in Illinois spent $1.4 billion on these activities in 2006.

Please reconsider your decision to close these state parks, and keep them all open for our citizens.

We strongly encourage you to sign on to the Lt. Governor's petition.  To access the petition and let our governor know that you want to save our state parks, just follow the link below: 

http://www.standingupforillinois.org/saveourparks/

Additionally, you can contact your state senators and ask them to support a long-term solution: legislation that would create a secure, dedicated funding stream for the DNR to prevent future sweeping cuts.  To write your state senator on this vital issue, just click on the link below:

https://www.environmentillinois.org/action/dnrfunding

Governor Blagojevich’s recent budget cuts to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources will result in layoffs and threaten park closings throughout the state. The governor’s decision is extremely unpopular with voters and will have a negative impact on the state’s natural heritage.

The IDNR budget reduction is part of the governor’s other deep cuts, including the layoffs of 450 state workers, closing of 11 state parks and cuts to statewide social service programs. Although the governor’s decision has widespread negative effects, the IDNR cuts specifically must be immediately restored for the following reasons:

1. The Department of Natural Resources has already been cut by 25 percent in the past several years and cannot sustain further cuts.

2. Illinois is ranked last among Midwestern states in state-owned protected lands.

3. These cuts have a direct, negative impact on revenue created from state tourism and businesses near affected historic sites and state parks.

4. Historic sites are a vital part of Illinois history, culture and education programs.

While Governor Blagojevich signed an appropriations bill in November 2008 that will allow for 4 of the state parks to stay open, 7 other state parks are still scheduled to close.  And until the IDNR has a dedicated funding source that can't simply be swept by the Governor's office to patch budget holes, the Department will continue to face such cuts and more state faciliites will be forced to close their doors.  We need to find a long-term, dedicated funding solution for the DNR.