Although the Illinois House has come up with a plan to provide more money to reverse cuts in funding for state parks, historic sites and other areas, the battle isn't over yet.

The Senate is not scheduled to return to session until Nov. 12 - nearly two weeks after the governor's target date for closing state parks and nearly six weeks after he intends to close historic sites.

The power of public pressure is evident in many House members reversing their position on "fund sweeps" so money could be used to keep parks open and for other key state responsibilities.

That's why the public must continue that pressure through letters, petitions and actions such as the rallies planned for Weldon Springs and Moraine View state parks.

The rally for Weldon Springs is 4 p.m. today at Clinton Community High School. There will also be an informational meeting at the high school at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 2.

The rally for Moraine View will take place at Gibson's Concessions at the park at 10 a.m. Saturday.

The public must make it clear to the governor and Illinois Senate that the matter can't wait until mid-November.

The package of bills approved by the House establishes an FY09 Budget Relief Fund and specifies how much money is to be taken from each special account to create the Budget Relief Fund.

The measures also specify how much money is to be appropriated from the Budget Relief Fund and from the General Revenue Fund for specific purposes. The openness and accountability of the House version are important to overcome matters of trust.

For example, language included in House Bill 6350 specifies that $5.5 million would go "for the sole purpose of restoring funding to personal services and related lines to prevent staff reductions and the closure of state parks."

In contrast, the "fund sweeps" authorized by the Senate in May do not specify how much money would come from each fund and how specifically it would be spent.

The Senate version sends all the money to the General Revenue Fund and allows it to be used for Medicaid obligations, the State Board of Education and to obtain federal matching funds. It would provide no help to parks, historic sites and many other areas the governor hit with budget cuts after the Senate action, such as money for substance abuse treatment.

The House was right to develop its own package of bills rather than go along with the earlier Senate action. Now the Senate should return to work and approve the House version.

And the public should keep the pressure on.