Pantagraph.com Weather forecast, local radar and more
NewsTuesday, April 1, 2008 5:01 PM CDT
Comments Comments (20) | E-mail this page E-mail this page | Print this page Print this page | Enlarge type Enlarge type | Reduce type Reduce type | Search archives Search archives | RSS RSS feeds | Add to My Yahoo! Add to My Yahoo!
State officials defend plan to hike camping, hunting fees
By Kurt Erickson
kurt.erickson@lee.net
Advertisement

SPRINGFIELD -- Money raised from increased camping and hunting fees will help Illinois keep its state parks open, officials said Tuesday.

A day after unveiling a plan to charge campers and hunters more to enjoy the outdoors, the Blagojevich administration defended the proposal as a way to stave off cutbacks that have been threatened in other states.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources, which manages the state’s parks system, wants to boost the cost of an electric hook-up at a campsite from $5 per day to $10 per day. Holiday weekend rates would rise $10 per day. And, out-of-state hunters would pay more for archery and firearm licenses.

The estimated $33 million raised by those increases – as well as a half-dozen others affecting businesses and local governments – would go back to the agency and not be used to help close the state’s $750 million budget hole.

DNR spokesman Chris McCloud said the money will go toward parks programs “making the agency more self sufficient.”

“It means less competition with thousands of other uses clamoring for funds,” McCloud said.

State Rep. Dan Reitz, D-Steeleville, chairman of the Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, said Tuesday he was keeping an open mind about the fee increases.

Reitz said outcry over higher camping and hunting fees might be muted if the increases keep costs in Illinois comparable to neighboring states.

“If this is just to raise extra money for the state, that is not prudent. If it goes to help the parks and programs, it may be a reasonable approach,” Reitz said.

Camping fees were last increased was 2004, when campsite costs rose by $4 to $5 per day.

McCloud downplayed the size of the proposed increases.

“Unlike states like Michigan who are proposing to close many campgrounds and raise fee’s for in-state hunters, we are asking for these modest increases to recoup the rising costs of operations so we can continue to provide these services to our visitors,” McCloud noted.

Video
Most commented stories
Browse online archives
Recent issues:
Reader comments on this story - 20 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

BigBrother wrote on Apr 1, 2008 10:37 PM:

" While I agree that many state camp grounds in adjoining states have a slightly higher fee than Illinois, they also provide more onsight amenities. Many of them provide 50amp service water and sewer on every camp site. Illinois only has 30 amp service to most of their sites, water and sewer to just a select few. Some states also provide internet hook ups on the camp sites as well as TV hook up. If Illinois wants to collect the premium pricing they should provide the premium services. Missouri charges $20.00 per night for a full service, 50amp, water,sewer, with picnic table drive through 75 to 80 ft camp site. Illinois charges $15.00 for a 30amp 35 ft pull in site with a picnic table. Update the sites before uping the fees. "

Bluedog wrote on Apr 1, 2008 4:57 PM:

" to: country boy Indeed with the price of gas you may have to make do with
" short trippin " to Dawson Lake. On the other hand those folks who can afford those deluxe RV's are probably like Hummer owners they are so " well heeled " they really don't care about the price of fuel ! "

BrettinBloomington wrote on Apr 1, 2008 2:24 PM:

" People in Il have asked the questions, but never get answers. What happened to all the lottery money for schools? How about the money in tax hikes for liquor and tobacco, or the fees for recreational vehichles? These as well as many other sources of revenue never seem to hit the place they were supposed to. It's not due to only Blago but Illinois inability to elect a governor that isn't a total crook. There is no good reason that we should have to close schools, have bad roads, make huge cutbacks in the DNR, or raise rates for things like camping.We in IL better pay closer attention, they've already pulled staff and services from many state parks, and one day will close them and sell to developers. "

ziggy wrote on Apr 1, 2008 1:55 PM:

" So I wil be using my "rebate" check from george bush to pay for outrageous gas to drive my family to the campground, where I will pay more to camp OUTSIDE, and spend quality time with my kids so 10 years from now they won't end up in juvinelle detention because I didn't raise them properly and cost taxpayers gobs of money to straighten them out!!!!!
I could go on ,, and on.. .
I'm having a hard time bending over any farther!
"

The Original JD wrote on Apr 1, 2008 1:31 PM:

" The higher taxes are needed to cover the lose in collected taxes from things like the smoking ban. Less revenue collected from cigarette taxes, and taxes collected from hospitality industry from the smokers no longer going there, result in politicians needs to try and tax everything else to make up for the loss. In a cash strapped state, banning the golden goose is sheer stupidity. People were warned, but denied it would happen. Guess what, you were wrong. "

BrettinBloomington wrote on Apr 1, 2008 12:48 PM:

" Just another one of Blago's idiotic moves. For those who don't know about it, he has already taken alot away from the IL DNR. He took out checkstations for deer, which was a loss of employment, and opened up the state for poaching and illegal bag limits, changed the application process for hunting/fishing with the same after effects, and now wants to charge more for camping? He is as big a crook if not bigger than Ryan, and he's taking the state with him. Just where is the money he took away from the DNR? I'd bet its in the same place as this hike in fees will end up, either in his pocket or in his construction buddies pockets with a kickback to him. "

candy wrote on Apr 1, 2008 12:42 PM:

" And this is why I, and many others, go to Missouri to camp. He raises prices, the amount of people camping and coming over here to hunt goes down, thus doing NOTHING for his non-balanced budget. Get this guy OUT OF HERE. "

the_goat wrote on Apr 1, 2008 11:38 AM:

" Who voted for this guy again??? "

justsacamper wrote on Apr 1, 2008 10:37 AM:

" This is so not the way Gov. Rod Blagojevich! With rising gas, food and many other things, this is not the time to dump this into ONLY campers and hunters laps! What about boaters, people that go into the park to picnic, walks etc... when do they pay? After all, is that not using the park too? Gov. Rod Blagojevich you need to be fair to eveyone! Why are you just picking on campers and hunters!!! "

floyd wrote on Apr 1, 2008 9:21 AM:

" The problem is Jet fuel is getting expensive for us to have a bozo carried between Chicago and Springfield. "

floyd wrote on Apr 1, 2008 9:18 AM:

" I'd bet the money will go to anything they desire in the Chicago area as usual. "

events wrote on Apr 1, 2008 8:33 AM:

" this is really going to cut down on a really used to be reasonable entertainment for families. Gov. Rod seems to want to even ruin good old family fun. let alone ruining our roads, and cutting down on the driving. gee, what else can this man mess up!! "

Country Boy wrote on Apr 1, 2008 8:31 AM:

" Bluedog I am already paying a "higher fee" to go out camping in my RV its called GAS! If it gets any higher its gonna be time to park it in the backyard and use it as a guest house since I will not be driving it anywhere! "

Sigh wrote on Apr 1, 2008 7:33 AM:

" Re: "Not so Political": Don't worry, I am sure that Blago will try and tax that before this is all over.... "

ML wrote on Apr 1, 2008 5:35 AM:

" I feel that many familes who live on a limited budget go camping because it's a great way to enjoy nature at a reasonable cost. I wonder what the fee for primitive campsites will be? The article didn't state if it is staying the same or being jacked up as well. Seeing as primitive camping doesn't cost the state anything in utilities, it had better be staying the same for the sake of familes who want to be able to have a getaway at a reasonable cost. "

Not so Political wrote on Mar 31, 2008 8:36 PM:

" I think I will put up my tent in my own back yard. "

dman wrote on Mar 31, 2008 8:28 PM:

" I wish he'd raise fees on overzealous governors who are in way over their heads.
And that lied to us from day one.
Thank George Ryans corruption for your job Rod. And Tony Rezko for your, hopefully, immediate downfall.

"

BigBrother wrote on Mar 31, 2008 8:01 PM:

" There is millions of dollars to be made ifthe state would revoke the no smoking ban across the state. This ban cost the state millions of dollars in sales revenue from liquor and gambling. Now they want to replace that money by raising the fees on the best family entertainmnet in Illinois. Taking your family camping builds better family relationships and bonds than any other activity. Now the state wants to price it out of many families budgets. Thanks Rod, your really doing the citizens of Illinois a good job!!! NOT!!! "

Bluedog wrote on Mar 31, 2008 7:54 PM:

" Know this may go down hard but most hunters and campers could afford a higher fee to be able to enjoy their hobby and or leisure. It would be considered a user fee . See that there is a shortfall with the " pheasant release " program. If so and hunters want to continue with these field days then they may need to anti-up.
Make sure the money goes to the designated place. Blago keep your grubby little paws off of it ! "

westsider wrote on Mar 31, 2008 7:44 PM:

" has to be the dumbest thing they can do. with the price of fuel being what it is i already will be cutting way back hitting the state parks with my RV and this will even make it easier to stay away for good. "
Add your own comments

Please read the rules before posting comments.

You must be logged in to leave comments.
If you don't have a member ID, please register.

*Member ID:
*Password:
Remember login?
(requires cookies)
  Forgot Your Password?
 
Lee Enterprises Customer Service | 301 W. Washington St., PO Box 2907, Bloomington, IL 61701-2907 | Ph. 309-829-9000 | 800-747-7323
Copyright © 2008, Pantagraph Publishing Co. and Lee Enterprises. All rights reserved. | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy