By Alyssa Hollingsworth
IV Leader staff, Oct. 16, 2008
By the end of November, the State of Illinois will close 11 parks in order to help balance the budget.
Students in Mike Phillip’s Global Environment classes are taking charge and exercising their right to challenge the government.
In mid-September, students from his classes got over 500 students to sign their petition to keep the parks open. The petition was given to state Rep. Frank Mautino who then delivered it to Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
Phillips stated, “During their short session, the Illinois State House of Representatives and Senate passed two bills, a revenue bill which would put more money into the state budget and an appropriations bill which would restore funding for the parks as well as cuts to human services. Governor signed the revenue bill that put money into the general revenue fund, but he has not yet signed the appropriations bill that would actually restore funding to the parks and human services.”
Phillips also mentioned that while there are still petitions in circulation online, Mautino suggests that at this point, it would be best to make a phone call to the governor and urge him to keep the parks open.
If parks remain closed, included will be Illini State Park, Marseilles; Lowden State Park, Oregon; Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park, Sheffield; Channahon Parkway State Park, Channahon; Gebhard Woods State Park, Morris; Hidden Springs State Forrest, Strasburg; Kickapoo State Park, Oakwood; Moraine View State Park, Leroy; Weldon Springs State Park, Clinton; Wolf Creek State Park, Windsor; and Castle Rock State Park in Oregon.
Unless the governor decides to sign the appropriations bill, there is currently no plan to ever re-open the parks once closed.
In addition, the Department of Human Services has been urging everyone to call Gov. Blagojevich at 217-782-6830 or 312-814-2121 to sign off on the bills SB 1103 and SB 790.