Pantagraph.com | News | Petitions launched to save state parks despite governor's cuts

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.

420 wrote on Sep 12, 2008 10:04 AM:

" No raises for state or county workers...... Funding for our parks is now solved, that was so easy...
This whole idea of state workers getting raises while cutting services displays exactly what is wrong with our nation...

No Raises!
No Raises!
No Raises!

Corruption!
Corruption!
Corruption! "

Dr.Orangutan Chief Cardiologist Miller Park Zoo wrote on Sep 6, 2008 6:41 AM:

" Evidence from eyewitnesses and from Taft himself strongly suggests that he had severe obstructive sleep apnea during his presidency, resulting from his obesity. Within a year of leaving the presidency, Taft lost approximately 80 pounds (32 kg). His somnolence resolved and, less obviously, his systolic blood pressure dropped 40–50 mmHg (from 210 mmHg). Undoubtedly, this weight loss extended his life. Soon after his weight loss he had a revival of interest in the outdoors. This led him to explore the great state of Alaska. This would lead to his bizarre death. Beginning in 1920, Taft used a cane; his was a gift from Professor of Geology W.S. Foster, made of 250,000-year-old wood. "

innocentbystander wrote on Sep 2, 2008 3:08 PM:

" I can't believe hizzonner can make this happen! Hasn't he done enough damage already to our state? I hope they're getting his cell ready. Maybe pretty boy Rod will be more popular in jail than he has been in office. "

1950 wrote on Aug 31, 2008 10:36 AM:

" This is a sad thing to hear. I grew up in LeRoy and Moraine View (Dawson Lake) was the best thing that ever happened to our family. We spent a lot of quality time camping and fishing and family reunions at Moraine View, still do today. Also my dad's employer had their plant picnics at Weldon Springs every year from the time I was 4 yrs old until I graduated high school. It was the biggest event of the year for us kids. My husband and I also used both of these parks, plus others in the state, to camp, fish, etc., with our kids and our grandkids, and still do. It saddens me that the state wants to take away at least 2 of the best things that have ever happened to "family outings", per say. I just hope somebody can come up with some solution to keep these parks, plus others, open. concerned in IL "

alwayssomething wrote on Aug 31, 2008 12:16 AM:

" Seems like I remember the reason Dewitt County donated Weldon Springs to the state was because we couldn't afford to keep it maintained..mowing etc. Wonder now where they would get the money if they are given it back??????? "

riverlover wrote on Aug 30, 2008 10:30 PM:

" I was at Kickapoo today--they said there were over 400 signatures on petitions from people who came to the meeting Friday night, and over 1500 by the end of today (Saturday). They are organizing informational pickets at 9 am on Saturdays. It would be cool if the efforts at Weldon Springs and Kickapoo and the other parks could be coordinated. "

brookian wrote on Aug 30, 2008 6:27 PM:

" To alexp:

The governer of New York isn't trying to close my park. "

Realist wrote on Aug 30, 2008 5:52 PM:

" to Alexp: So are they closing state parks in NY too? Sounds an attempt to deflect negative attention away from your boy Blago. Face the facts, he's running this state into the ground! "

DK61727 wrote on Aug 30, 2008 5:47 PM:

" I remember when the city owned Weldon Springs. It just felt like the park was ours, not like we are merely visitors, like today. It disappointed many people when the city transferred it to the State of Illinois.

If the Little Corporal deems the park unworthy to keep open, maybe now we could get it back, if the people of Clinton can revive the esprit. "

newdays wrote on Aug 30, 2008 5:34 PM:

" This govenor has cost us so much money...planes, upholstry in the plane, gas for the plane, paying for staff at the Springfield home (never used)...I wonder does he get money from the state to pay for maintaining his personal residence in Chicago..since he does not use the one in Springfield...

The only people loosing under this reign of terror in Illinois is the people of Illinois.

One good thing may come from this governor, when the next governor comes on board we will need to put all the criminal youth to work to clean up the state parks that this man shut down. "

Herr Hundhausen wrote on Aug 30, 2008 5:01 PM:

" Dear Gov Rod. Can you say Bolshevik Revolution? "

alexp wrote on Aug 30, 2008 4:09 PM:

" To: brookian

Um, what about all the GOP Governor's of NY State that never use the Governor's mansion? Whats good for the goose... "

Realist wrote on Aug 30, 2008 4:04 PM:

" I agree Brookian, I think this is just an indication of what Obama will do, they are definitely of the same mold. Is that going to be Obama-Biden-Laden's answer to balance the budge, close all our National Parks? It's time for Blago to go, and God help us is Obama is elected president. "

TATER SALAD wrote on Aug 30, 2008 4:03 PM:

" and here is another scary thing, if Obama is elected pres., "Wrong Way Rod' gets to pick someone to represent us in congress. I'll give you one guess who he has in mind. WRONG WAY ROD!! "

brookian wrote on Aug 30, 2008 3:27 PM:

" Four words!

THROW THE BUMS OUT!!!!!

Blogo spends more money jetting from Chitown to Springfiend in a week than it takes to run a park for a YEAR! I say we make the freeloader STAY in SPRINGFIELD where the MANSION is. At least until we can throw the bum out.

Or is he shuttering the Governers Mansion too?

Remember folks, Blogo and Obama are cast from the same political mold. If you think it's bad now, imagine if Obama is elected President...... (shivers) "

BigBrother wrote on Aug 30, 2008 1:51 PM:

" Instead of closing the parks why couldn't the state allow the countys to take temporary control of the parks facilities? The counties could accept the responsibility of maintenance and collect the fees for camping to offset the expense. This would allow the citizens to enjoy the camping, fishing, hiking, swimming, hunting, and many other activities the parks offer. The related counties already have maintenance crews in place and would simply need to hire a handful of extra summer help to mow and maintain the trails and facilities. Why close them to the public when it is not necessary? "

Tiredofrichpoliticians wrote on Aug 30, 2008 1:30 PM:

" I'm telling you people, our airhead of a governor is just doing this to blackmail congress into giving him the funding he wants. He doesnt give a hoot about balancing the budget. He just wants to line the pockets of his mafia friends in Chicago and get the bills that take care of Chicago passed. Only solution to the problems that are sensationalized in the media is to get rid of all of these politicians that have been in office for decades. CLEAN HOUSE! "

TATER SALAD wrote on Aug 30, 2008 1:25 PM:

" 400 people showed up at Kikapoo sate Park, yesterday, to protest. Unfortunately, "wrong way Rod" never saw them from his private jet. "

floyd wrote on Aug 30, 2008 1:03 PM:

" Interesting they all now refer cost as funding instead of taxes! In other words we need to tax you good people so we can PAY for something. "

Archie Goodwin wrote on Aug 30, 2008 11:06 AM:

" ..."the Weldon family donated the park to the city of Clinton, and 12 years later, the city donated it to the state." Just wondering, since the city of Clinton donated the park to the state, could they un-donate it? Maybe take it back and start charging fees to pay for the upkeep? Just a thought. "

BigBrother wrote on Aug 30, 2008 9:40 AM:

" Shut the funding off to the govenors office and staff. "

thoughts a million wrote on Aug 30, 2008 9:04 AM:

" Oh, come on people! This is pure polictics, nothing more. Now the petitions and phone calls will go to the local legislators, who will hammer HotRod. Then HotRod will say, "want your parks back? Then give me what I want...." We really should be signing petitions for Rod to go! "

Home Plate wrote on Aug 30, 2008 9:03 AM:

" Do you really believe a bunch of signitures on a piece of papter is going to change Blago's mind set? He could care less about how a bunch of people in downstate Illinois' feels. Figure it out people, it is all about him! Remember, he is the best governor we have ever had, because he said so! Anyone with this type of ego can not be stopped until he gets his way. He has had his way for 6 years and see where it has led us! The only thing that needs to be closed, is the governor's office! "

Gussie29 wrote on Aug 30, 2008 8:14 AM:

" Illinois has enought money to run all the state parks and other things they are just not collecting. Almost every town in Illinois has 2 or more bars every bar has 3 or more poker machines that pay out money why don't we legalize them charge a $100.00 stamp fee per machine per year and 5% of the groos take. This would not be expanding gaming just collecting on what is already in place. the only catch is getting it by the Chicago mafia as they control most of the Machines "

BNHuman wrote on Aug 30, 2008 7:35 AM:

" Senator Obama supports the very best of these Democratic values; they are values that he and I share, values I know he will fight for. (Gov. Rod Blagojevich ) "

editorgirl62 wrote on Aug 30, 2008 6:54 AM:

" As a former Clinton resident, Weldon Springs has been a family gathering place since I was little. The park has seen many improvements over the years, especially Veteran's Point. Perhaps Blagojevich and other politicians would consider taking a paycut to help the rest of us be able to have places (and more money) to enjoy. "

yay! wrote on Aug 30, 2008 6:50 AM:

" We should be trying to save these people's jobs first, then the parks. I haven't heard anyhting from our state rep's about the loss of these jobs, many are high paying and support families, can we get a little help with the layoffs too! "

BC wrote on Aug 30, 2008 6:49 AM:

" When the state legislature gets around to crafting and passing a LEGAL budget, complete with ways to generate funding, maybe this will pass. Notice the parks are closing Oct. 1 after the season is over. The General Assembly knew exactly what they were doing when they passed this unbalanced budget and split for home. They knew the governor had no choice but cut till it balanced. It's the law. It's called the balanced budget act. He could have cut vital services in the public safety field. All you Chicago whiners remember it could be worse. If Chicago was allowed to keep the 80% of the tax revenue their area generates nothing state operated would be open out of their area. You are like the teenage who works part time and complains he supports the family because daddy makes him pay a few bucks room and board. "

Bluedog wrote on Aug 30, 2008 6:36 AM:

" Blago is a joke. On the other hand the state should be charging a " user fee " to help support the parks and other state sites. In other words the state can provide the cake ( the park ) with the citizenry providing the icing ( day to day operations ) "

Not so Political wrote on Aug 30, 2008 6:20 AM:

" Close the Illinois office building in chicago and we would save enough money to keep all the parks open and have spending money to boot! "

Pontiac resident wrote on Aug 30, 2008 5:24 AM:

" More Blagojevich polotics. I doubt there is any need to charge $1 user fee, Blagojevich needs to be impeached along with Daley and a couple more Chicago democrats and then the State of Illinois can start to heal. "

cubsfan wrote on Aug 30, 2008 12:40 AM:

" I am a former resident, and I think this is just awful. Even tho the city of Clinton has many downfalls...this park is an absolute gem! (Weldon Springs)
We have moved across country, and there is a state park a few miles from us. We must pay 4 dollars to enter, or buy a season pass to ALL Parks in the state for 30 dollars which is really a bargain. Maybe that would be something to consider! "

Eric H wrote on Aug 30, 2008 12:17 AM:

" Yeah, this smelleth stanky. Many of the parks slated for closure are ones I'm not too familiar with (though I'm sure they are used and well-liked by many), some are parks I've only been to once or twice but had been hoping to go back to (Castle Rock & Channahon, for example), but I am especially disappointed to see Moraine View, Weldon Springs, and Kickapoo (over by Danville) on the list. The first 2 are a couple of the closest to B-N, and I LOVE the mountain bike trails at Kickapoo. Bikers and other park users have put in many, many volunteer hours to build and maintain the trails there, which get quite a lot of use. I am 100% in support of reducing government spending, but in my view lots of things can be found that are lower priority than parks. I recommend contacting your state representatives & senators; google "Illinois legislative district locator" if you don't have their contact information. "

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