SAVE OUR STATE PARKS

Chicago Tribune Barbara Brotman column: See these parks before they're gone Barbara Brotman Nov 06, 2008

We are a large family. All of us together is a tribe with many boisterous children always included. As such, famliy get togethers tend to be outdoor affairs. We have picnics in the forest preserves, hike the old canals, and camp at state park sites.
But many of these spontaneous events will come to an end soon as the State of Illinois has decided to close so many parks and historical places of interest.
Maybe trying to keep the parks open is selfish. Money is short and tax payers stretched thin. Jobs are being lost everywhere. But it seems a shame after so much money and effort has gone into getting children back outside, to now start closing off those areas near enough to where people live as to be easily accessed.

Pat Quinn, Lt Governer of Illinois is making an effort to stop the closings. He is asking for the support of those that may use these parks.You can sign an online petition and e-mail your reasons.
Standing up for Illinois-Save our parks
Near the bottom are links to maps of the many sites being closed and articles discussing the closures.


Maps parks

*Castle Rock State Park, Oregon Castle Rock
*Lowden State Park, Oregon Lowden State Park
*Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park, Sheffield Hennepin Canal Parkway
*Illini State Park, Marseilles Illini State Park
*Channahon Parkway State Park, Channahon Channahon Parkway State Park
*Gebhard Woods State Park, Morris Gebhard Woods State Park
*Hidden Springs State Forrest, Strasburg Hidden Springs State Forest
*Kickapoo State Park, Oakwood Kickapoo State Park
*Moraine View State Park, Leroy Morraine View State Park
*Weldon Springs State Park, Clinton Weldon Springs
*Wolf Creek State Park, Windsor Wolf Creek

Maps historic sites.
David Davis Mansion, Bloomington, IL
Dana Thomas House, Springfield, IL
Hauberg Indian Museum at Blackhawk State Historic Site, Rock Island, IL
Lincoln Log Cabin, Lerna, IL
Fort de Chartres, Prairie Du Rocher, IL
Vandalia Statehouse, Vandalia, IL
State Center at Bishop Hill, Bishop Hill,IL
Carl Sandburg State Historic Site, Galesburg, IL
Cahokia Courthouse, Cahokia, IL
Bryant Cottage, Bement, IL
Jubilee College, Peoria County, IL
Apple River Fort, Elizabeth, IL
Fort Kaskaskia, Chester, IL
Pierre Menard Home, Ellis Grove, IL

Articles
Ogle County News - Parks are still slated to close; Lowden, Castle Rock scheduled to shut down Sunday, Nov. 30
WREX-TV - Bills to Save State Parks Sent to the Governor
Morris Daily Herald - Parks bills sent to governor
Chicago Tribune - Letters sent to park vendors about park closures
Bloomington Pantagraph - Governor should not delay OK of budget bill
Rockford Register Star - Conservationists want state parks bill vetoed
Morris Daily Herald – Save Our Parks
Morris Daily Herald - Fight about preserving memories, making more
Joliet Herald News - Hundreds gather at park rally
Ogle County News - Quinn says use the Web to save parks
State Journal Register - $1 million federal grant withheld
Bloomington Pantagraph - Public opinion heard, but we’re not out of the woods
WREX-TV - Senate Approves Funding That May Save State Parks
Herald News - Senate bills may save state parks
Lt. Governor Ready for Drastic Measures if Blagojevich Doesn't ... - WREX-TV, IL - Sep 29, 2008
Budget issues far from decided - The State Journal-Register, IL - Sep 29, 2008
Finke: Lawmakers continue tussle with Blagojevich - Peoria Journal Star, IL - Sep 27, 2008
Rockford Conservationists Fight to Save State Parks - WIFR, IL - Sep 26, 2008
State Rep. Jil Tracy on restoring of budget cuts - KHQA, IL - Sep 24, 2008
$1 million federal grant withheld - The State Journal-Register, IL - Sep 24, 2008
Senate bills may save state parks - Joliet Herald News, IL - Sep 24, 2008
Senate Approves Funding That May Save State Parks - WREX-TV, IL - Sep 24, 2008
RALLY: Protect The Park Hundreds gather to protest park closure - MyWebTimes.com, IL - Sep 22, 2008
State parks, historical sites should remain - Rochelle News Leader, IL - Sep 22, 2008
Moraine View rally draws 1000-plus people protesting closure - Bloomington Pantagraph, USA - Sep 20, 2008
Will County Board's message to Springfield: ‘Keep state park open' - Morris Daily Herald, IL - Sep 19, 2008
Save our state parks - Chicago Tribune, United States - Sep 19, 2008
Budget-balancing act could put state in trouble with the feds - The State Journal-Register, IL - Sep 19, 2008
Vintners have state parks in spirit of wine festival - LaSalle News Tribune, IL - Sep 19, 2008
Concern over state-park closings - Chicago Tribune, United States - Sep 19, 2008
Blagojevich trying to be lovable loser - Daily Illini, IL - Sep 18, 2008
Could county take over the two parks? - Ogle County News, IL - Sep 18, 2008
Online Petition Drive to Save State Parks, Historic Sites - WREX-TV, IL - Sep 18, 2008
House restores park and other funding - Rochelle News Leader, IL - Sep 18, 2008
Fight to save parks continues - Morris Daily Herald, IL - Sep 17, 2008
LeRoy’s activist attorney sues over park closures - Clinton Daily Journal, IL - Sep 16, 2008
State Parks Delay Closing - WEEK-TV, IL - Sep 16, 2008
Updated 9/15: Lake County residents unite to save parks - Lake Forester, IL - Sep 15, 2008
Continue pressure to restore cuts, keep parks open - Bloomington Pantagraph, USA - Sep 14, 2008
Ill. park closures raise concern about wildlife - Daily Vidette, IL - Sep 14, 2008
Governor's budget cuts reach beyond closure of state parks - Urbana/Champaign News-Gazette, IL - Sep 14, 2008
House reappropriates fund for parks - Morris Daily Herald, IL - Sep 13, 2008
Hennepin Canal Parkway to close - Geneseo Republic, IL - Sep 12, 2008
Will County forest preserve officials oppose closing state parks - Chicago Tribune, United States - Sep 12, 2008
Lawmakers trying to restore cuts, save state parks - Urbana/Champaign News-Gazette, IL - Sep 12, 2008
LeRoy lawyer expects to file lawsuit Friday to stop park closures - Bloomington Pantagraph, USA - Sep 11, 2008
Passion For Two Oregon State Parks Fuels Community - WREX-TV, IL - Sep 11, 2008
House votes to restore funds for state parks, historic sites - Urbana/Champaign News-Gazette, IL - Sep 11, 2008
Groups Question Blago's Budget Cuts - WGIL Radio News, IL - Sep 11, 2008
Ax still falling on state jobs, parks, historic sites - Chicago Daily Herald, IL - Sep 11, 2008
Plans for rally going forward - Morris Daily Herald, IL - Sep 11, 2008
Kickapoo concerns dominate Vermilion County Board meeting - Urbana/Champaign News-Gazette, IL - Sep 10, 2008
Illinois history demands protection - Daily Illini, IL - Sep 10, 2008
Lawmakers begin trying to keep parks open - Journal Gazette and Times-Courier, IL - Sep 10, 2008
Petitions mount to keep Weldon Springs open - Clinton Daily Journal, IL - Sep 9, 2008
Closures will affect I&M Canal - MyWebTimes.com, IL - Sep 9, 2008
Local politicians debate environmental issues - Daily Illini, IL - Sep 9, 2008
Petition Against Closing IL State Parks - WIFR, IL - Sep 9, 2008
Budget cuts to close area parks - Rochelle News Leader, IL - Sep 8, 2008
Sarley: Closing parks hurts everyone - Northwest Herald, IL - Sep 8, 2008
Illinois budget ax aimed at historic sites: What do you think? - Chicago Sun-Times, United States - Sep 8, 2008
State park, historic site closings prove puzzling - Peoria Journal Star, IL - Sep 6, 2008
LETTER: Governor's cuts all affect state taxpayers - Journal Gazette and Times-Courier, IL - Sep 5, 2008
State parks important - Morris Daily Herald, IL - Sep 5, 2008
Public Invited to Sign Petition to Support Lowden State Park - WREX-TV, IL - Sep 5, 2008
What to expect if Illini State Park Closes - MyWebTimes.com, IL - Sep 5, 2008
Council approves proclamation against Weldon Springs closure - Clinton Daily Journal, IL - Sep 5, 2008
Illinois State Budget - KHQA, IL - Sep 3, 2008
Decision to close parks is called “horrendous” - Ogle County News, IL - Sep 3, 2008
Mayor looks to unite, fight - Morris Daily Herald, IL - Sep 3, 2008
Castle Rock, Lowden to close Nov. 1 - Ogle County News, IL - Sep 3, 2008
Costly park cuts - Northwest Herald, IL - Sep 3, 2008
State to close local parks and historical sites - Daily Vidette, IL - Sep 3, 2008
Weldon Springs’ closure rouses public action - Clinton Daily Journal, IL - Sep 2, 2008
ABC7: Protesters fight for state parks to remain open
Illinois historic sites open until Nov. 30
Bowman: Outdoor Notes
From Oregon to Gov: Don’t close our state parks
Governor a no-show at historic sites, parks
State lawmakers, business leaders question state park closings
Online drive to save parks started
Cutbacks may hurt areas businesses, social services
Congressman: Federal law may prevent two park closings (Land and Water Conservation Act of 1965)
Young activist works to save park
Budget cuts to close area parks
2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation.U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, and U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Census Bureau.
Illinois budget cuts to close historic sites and parks
Visitors and workers speak out about possible state park closure
Mayor looks to unite, fight
Rally against Illini closure planned
Governor closing 24 state sites, including Kickapoo State Park
Residents begin campaigns to save Kickapoo State Park
Young activist works to save park
State to lay off 450 and close parks and historic sites
S.O.S - Save Weldon Springs rally set for Sept. 14
Rally for the canal
Other Petitions
Stop the closing of 11 state parks - petition
Environment Illinois
Stop Blagojevich Closing Our State Parks
Facebook Pages & Other Sites
Save Kickapoo State Park [1]
Save Illinois Parks
Save Illinois’ State Parks
Save Moraine View State Park
Save Kickapoo State Park [2]
Group Petition to keep Weldon Springs and other Illinois state parks open!
Stop Blagojevich From Closing Illinois State Parks!
Better Fishing Association of Northern Illinois