LeROY - Supporters of Moraine View State Park near LeRoy and Weldon Springs State Park near Clinton will host two rallies in coming days to protest Gov. Rod Blagojevich's decision to close two dozen state parks and historic sites. | Lawmakers could try to save parks, historic sites | Use of federal funds may stop closures

The two parks are among 11 state parks Blagojevich ordered closed by Nov. 1. David Davis Mansion State Historic Site in Bloomington is among 13 such sites scheduled to shutter their doors Oct. 1.

Weldon Springs Foundation will host the first rally at 4 p.m. Sunday at Clinton Community High School. The foundation also plans an informational meeting at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 2 at the high school. State officials have been invited to attend.

The McLean County Wheelers and the Tri-Sharks Triathlon Club along with fishing enthusiasts plan a brief rally to save the state parks at 10 a.m. Sept. 20 at Gibson's Concessions at Moraine View State Park. Members of the two groups plan a bike ride to the park beginning at 8:30 a.m. that day from Tipton Park in Bloomington. State lawmakers also are expected to attend.

The Tri-Sharks host a triathlon every June that draws about 500 competitors to the park. The Wheelers organize regular bike rides to area parks, including Moraine View.

"It's got so many different users besides the triathletes," said Tri Sharks race director Colleen Klein. "School kids go there. It brings people to nature. You don't have that many places to do that any more."

"It (Moraine View) is a precious jewel in the heart of the state that needs to be preserved," added Phil Warlow, past president of the Wheelers. "It's close, it's really pretty, it's relaxing. It offers something for everybody. I don't think it should go away."

John Baker, president of the Weldon Springs Foundation, said the park has "been quite an asset to the Clinton area for a very long time. A lot of people have a lot of fond memories."

Baker also noted closing Weldon Springs would cause the loss of about $200,000 in public donations for Veterans Point, a war memorial completed recently, and "millions" the state paid for renovations to roads and other capital improvements in the past few years. The Pantagraph has filed a Freedom of Information Act request that asked for, among other things, exact figures on state investments at Weldon Springs. No response has been received, though the newspaper asked the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for the information by Tuesday.

Saving for a $1.4 billion shortfall

Blagojevich, a Chicago Democrat, announced the closures as a way to save state money in light of a $1.4 billion shortfall in the state budget passed by the General Assembly. Republicans responded the cuts were politically motivated, done in such a way to close more sites in Republican districts. Some lawmakers have charged the governor intends to force the legislature to pass tax hikes.

Critics, including the League of Illinois Bicyclists, warn closing state sites that have received federal dollars over the years could lead Washington to demand the money back. Such action could cost the state millions of dollars.

Other critics have questioned why places like David Davis Mansion, with strong links to the Lincoln era, would be targeted for closure on the eve of celebrations focusing on Lincoln's 200th birthday in 2009.

Klein, Warlow and Baker are hopeful a solution can be found to keep the facilities open.

"I've still got my fingers crossed," said Klein. "I'm partial to Moraine View, but I would like to see some way found to keep all of them open. As we've seen in the papers, you can make a case for any one of these parks."

"I'm fairly confident we can get it turned around as along as, not necessarily the governor, but the legislature will help us with this," Baker said. "It's very important to keep the parks open, not just Weldon Springs, but all of them. They're very important to the communities they are near."