SPRINGFIELD - Ever since Jeremy Young was old enough to bait a fishing hook he has been venturing out to Edward R. Madigan State Park in Lincoln to reel in bass and bluegill.

The 27-year-old Lincoln native has fished every hot spot along Salt Creek, which darts across eight Central Illinois counties.

Young's routine may be altered, however, if Gov. Pat Quinn's budget proposal to charge $5 a car to enter state parks is approved.

"I would go find some place else to fish," Young said. "Nobody would come out here."

In an effort to support services provided by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Quinn is proposing: a $5 entrance fee or $25 yearly pass for parks; boosting resident fishing license fees from $12.50 to $19.50; a $3 boat launch fee for Lake Shelbyville, Rend Lake and Carlyle Lake; and various hunting license increases. They would go into effect July 1.

Department spokesman Chris McCloud said he understands the concerns, but the fee increases are needed to reduce the risk of parks closing again.

"We don't want a repeat of what happened in the past," McCloud said. "That money will stay right here in the agency and make a difference to those folks who pay those fees."

Quinn's predecessor, Rod Blagojevich, closed seven state parks last year in an attempt to save on costs.

The parking fee, which does not require lawmaker approval, would be monitored by conservation police but not at each gate, McCloud said. There are currently no plans of fines for potential violators.

Like Young, park visitors across Central Illinois are not pleased with Quinn's fee increases.

Robert Davis, 32, is a regular to Lake Sangchris State Park just northwest of Taylorville. He said in addition to already having to pay for a fishing license, doling out more cash to enter the park would be over the top.

"For people like me on disability it's hard already," he said.

Weldon Springs State Recreation Area near Clinton reopened its gates to visitors Feb. 26 after being shuttered by Blagojevich. Charles Davis, 69, was among many local residents who flocked back to the park.

If paying a little extra is necessary to keep the park open, Davis said he would be willing to purchase a season pass but thought $5 per car was too expensive.

"I get tired of sitting at the house, so I come out here," he said. "It's worth keeping the park open."

Rick Bush, who walks his two dogs at Weldon Springs, was less receptive to the idea than Davis.

"(Quinn) can go to hell. This is my park," Bush said Monday.

An estimated 44 million people visit Illinois state parks annually.