Advocates Want State Park Funding Restored

Posted on: Thursday, 24 July 2008, 00:00 CDT By The Associated Press CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) - Conservationists fear that $14 million slashed from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources' budget will lead to job cuts that could result in parks curtailing hours or even closing.The budget cuts, announced earlier this month by Gov. Rod Blagojevich to meet what he says is a $2 billion shortfall in the budget passed by the General Assembly, will take effect Thursday unless lawmakers restore the money.That's what the Illinois Environmental Council and other groups want, though they concede the odds are against them. The state Senate would have to agree to restore funding, and Senate President Emil Jones - Blagojevich's primary ally - says he won't consider the idea.Environmental Council spokesman Jonathan Goldman called the cuts... [read full story]