LeROY - Organizers hope two separate petition drives, including a new online drive by Illinois Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn, will convince Gov. Rod Blagojevich to reverse his decision to close 11 state parks. | Blagojevich is a no-show at historic sites | Save Our State Parks online petition

The mom of a little girl in LeRoy, who started a petition drive in support of Moraine View State Recreation Area, said the effort has topped 6,000 signatures. Moraine is one of 11 parks scheduled to close by the end of November.

"It's taken on a life of its own," said Patti Welander, whose 8-year-old daughter, Sarah, will collect more names at a Save the Parks Rally at 10 a.m. Saturday at Moraine View.

Welander said she was happy Quinn has joined the battle. "The more, the better," she said.

Quinn announced the "Save Our State Parks" online petition drive at a news conference Wednesday in Springfield attended by several supporters from LeRoy. The online petition can be viewed at www.saveourstateparks.org.

"All of us have a duty to maintain and protect our state parks for the next generation," Quinn said. "We must leave no child inside."

Quinn, who used online petitions to help save Plum Island at Starved Rock from developers and to halt planned pay raises for Blagojevich and state legislators, noted more than 44 million visitors visited Illinois state parks and recreation areas last year. Wildlife watching, hunting and fishing contribute $2.4 billion to the Illinois economy each year, he said.

Blagojevich claims the cuts are needed to erase a deficit in the budget passed by the Illinois General Assembly. His cost-cutting measures included slashing another $14 million from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, a move that will force more than 40 layoffs and shut the 11 parks that also include Weldon Springs near Clinton. The closures were first due Nov. 1, but administrative delays forced Blagojevich to announce an extension on Tuesday.

Park supporters hope the added time will give the Illinois Senate time to reconvene and act on stop-gap budget measures the Illinois House has already passed to help keep the parks open. Still in doubt are 13 historic sites, including David Davis Mansion in Bloomington. Originally set to close at the end of the month, the new date is now Oct. 15.