Wednesday, September 10, 2008 10:08 PM CDT
Lawmakers begin trying to keep parks open
By MIKE RIOPELL and PENNY WEAVER, Staff Writers
wpweaver@jg-tc.com
SPRINGFIELD — Lawmakers took a step Wednesday down what could be a winding trail toward stopping state parks and other facilities from closing.
State Rep. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, said Wednesday night the move means that funds for state parks, historic sites, assistance for those with developmental disabilities, drug treatment programs, Soil and Water Conservation Districts and other programs would be restored.
“I’ve gotten a lot of voter contact, taxpayer contact on the parks,” Rose said. “Somebody’s got to act like an adult here and start cleaning up this mess. If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.
“We’ve acted; the ball is now in the governor’s and the Senate president’s court.”
The House approved $214 million in new spending intended to prevent layoffs of hundreds of workers who deal with child abuse cases, as well as employees of state parks and historic sites Gov. Rod Blagojevich wants to close in the coming months.
Among the sites targeted for closure are Lincoln Log Cabin Historic Site near Lerna, Hidden Springs State Park near Strasburg and Wolf Creek State Park near Findlay.
Also Wednesday, lawmakers approved a controversial way to come up with the money to stop the closures, though neither move would take effect unless the Illinois Senate and Blagojevich approve as well.
The plan includes skimming money from special state funds earmarked for specific purposes.
For example, the legislation approved Wednesday would take money originally intended for state programs geared toward agriculture, pet population control and a myriad of other causes and use it to stop Blagojevich’s plan to close parks and lay off workers.
The concept of using special funds as a budget Band-Aid has long been criticized by Republicans in particular. But many voted for it anyway Wednesday, blaming Blagojevich and saying pumping the money into the budget was more important.
The plan was approved by a 97-16 vote.
“We didn’t create this situation,” said state Rep. Dan Brady, R-Bloomington. “But we’re here to try to solve a problem.”
Others, including state Rep. Bill Mitchell, voted for spending the cash without voting for the method of generating it. The spending plan to keep parks open was approved unanimously, 113-0.
Mitchell, a Forsyth Republican who represents Weldon Springs State Park near Clinton, said he couldn’t vote for a plan that took $5 million out of the state’s pension fund.
“That was a deal breaker,” he said.
Rose said he isn’t happy with the entire bill either.
“Fund sweeps are odious for many reasons, not the least of which is that it’s a Band-Aid,” he said. “I don’t like sweeps; it’s a temporary stop-gap.
But he added, “For our area ... this is not inconsequential by any means.
“We have now I think ... put out something that on balance is fair.”
Rose said he can’t guess what Blagojevich might do if the House plan reaches his desk.
“I’m not making any predictions about what he does. If he’s demonstrated anything in the last six years, it’s that he’s unpredictable.
“If he’s not going to pay the light bill at Lincoln Log Cabin, then I don’t know what to tell you,” Rose told the JG/T-C. “I’m not sure who died and made him king ... if he continues on with his unilateral decision-making ... I’m not sure how he reacts to this.
“He made these decisions (for budget cuts) without consulting anyone. We specifically put the special funds transfers and put them directly in the specific lines (Wednesday).
“He can’t then take that money and spend it somewhere else, but he also doesn’t have to spend it at all,” Rose said. “If he doesn’t act on this, I frankly don’t know what to do now.”
The public outcry over the plan to close 11 state parks and 13 historic sites has included local petition drives, planned rallies and letters to elected officials.
Rose said, “The next step is for the Senate to act. Should they go ahead and approve these, the same governor that brought us this disaster would have to accept this and undo the cuts that he’s made.”
But final approval might not come easily. The Senate isn’t scheduled to return until after the election.
Contact Mike Riopell at mike.riopell@lee.net or 789-0865.
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