18 replies to this topic

[Mike Clifford]

I've participated in several conference calls with the IDNR and other stakeholder groups to get a grasp on all of this, and the ISA is a signatory to this Bill. We NEED YOU to get this passed.....today!!

Read the Position Paper from Partners for Parks and Wildlife to see the complete list of supporters and a summary of our position on this.

Take Action NOW to Fund the Illinois Department of Natural Resources
The budget of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources has been halved in the last eight years. Where there were once 2600 employees charges with protecting the natural resources of the State of Illinois, there are now 1,175 employees. Without significant action, the IDNR will face a $22 million operating deficit in the next fiscal year. State parks, water resources, mine safety, wildlife protection and much more will all be at risk if IDNR is unable to operate.Illinois needs a strong, stable IDNR to protect our natural resources. Representative Frank Mautino has introduced HB4193 which will propose a series of user, consulting and service fees to fund IDNR. (Read more in the "Fact Sheet on HB4193" in the further information section of this e-mail).Take action to urge your representative to support HB4193. Be sure to personalize the e-mail with stories about why IDNR and our natural resources are important to you. And then send the link to a friend. There are less than two weeks left in the legislative session. We need you to act on this TODAY.Thanks so much for your support.
Further Information About IDNR Funding Proposal IDNR must get Sustainable Funding to Prevent Crippling Cuts from Chicago Sun Times. Fact Sheet on HB4193 from IDNR Position Paper from Partners for Parks and Wildlife Funding for State Parks Threatened from the Chicago Tribune.

[rich mc]

ill be making two phone calls today on this. rich mc

[Norm M]

done

[ronk]

I

ill be making two phone calls today on this. rich mc

I just made the calls.

[Rob G.]

Great job Mike,
I just want to point out to everyone how easy it is to send a simple form letter to your two congressmen by inserting your zip code in your

"Take Action Now" link.

Won't take 20 seconds and you can easily add additional remarks if you would like.

[alank]

as always Mike, thanks for your hard work & dedication....

sent my emails yesterday....as Rob G said...takes 20 seconds

[Mike Clifford]

UPDATE!!!
This has been gaining steam quickly.
We had a brief update call at Noon today.

The House may vote on the IDNR Sustainable Revenue Bill SB 1566 today or tomorrow. The roll call is strong with approximately 59 yes votes.

We should shift our concentration to the Senate. The bill is being sponsored by Senator Toi Hutchinson and should be called in the Agriculture and Conservation Committee. IDNR thinks there are 25 Yes votes in the Senate.

Please continue to call your Senator's Springfield offices!! Remind them that this bill provides a sustainable revenue source for IDNR including No Sweeps language and a letter of commitment from the Governor that these funds will be used for their intended purpose.

[rich mc]

i love that last part about no sweeping and intended purpose rich mc

[Mike Clifford]

DNR bill failed 56-60. Postponed consideration.

Here are the no votes on Sb1566.
One person was missing and the rest were yes. The biggest flips were saviano, osmond, Dunkin, deluca

The bill can be heard again today. Mautino is working the floor.

60 No

Barickman
Bellock
Brady
Brauer
Brown
Cavaletto
Coladiepietro
Cole
Connelly
Costello
Crespo
Cross
D’Amico
DeLuca
Dunkin
Durkin
P Evans
Farnham
Fortner
Franks
Gaffney
Gordon
Halbrook
Hammond
Hatcher
Hays
Kay
Kosel
Leitch
Mathias
Mayfield
McAsey
B MitchellJ
Mitchell
Moffit
Morrisson
Morthland
Mussman
Nybo
Osmond
Pihos
Poe
Pritchard
Ramey
Reboletti
Reis
Rose
Rosenthal
Roth
Saviano
Schmitz
Senger
Sente
Sommer
Sosnowski
Tracey
Unes
Walsh
Watson

[Mike Clifford]

Bill eventually passed the House late last night, but failed in the Senate.
Awaiting word on what's next.

[Mike Clifford]

Failed in the Senate.
Looks as though our next best bet is in November.
Don't blame the IDNR or the Governor.
They supported NO SWEEP clauses......your legislators did not.

I hate this state.

[Eric]

Was just reading this good article from Bob Maciulis on a similar subject:

http://heraldnews.su...tewardship.html

I'd gladly pay 3-4 times the current amount for an annual IL fishing license. I think our current license fees are way too low. Wish an increase was guaranteed to go back to the Division of Fisheries. Therein lies the problem!

[Rob G.]

I'd gladly pay 3-4 times the current amount for an annual IL fishing license. I think our current license fees are way too low. Wish an increase was guaranteed to go back to the Division of Fisheries. Therein lies the problem!

Eric, I'm almost sure all on this forum feel the same, but it's Ma and Pa Kettle (a couple weekends of the year crappie fishermen) who are the major electorate I'm afraid.

[Mike Clifford]

I'm not so sure I agree with the premise of our IDNR Director being raked through the coals on this.
I have the utmost respect for Mike Conlin, and then some......but this bill failed for reasons that have nothing to do with which division of the IDNR the funds would be distributed to.
More later on this, as it becomes apparent WHY it failed.

[rich mc]

i read that things have changed a funding for parks will be added to car license plates fees. Additional $2 per plate . but will it get back to the idnr

[ronk]

Was just reading this good article from Bob Maciulis on a similar subject:

http://heraldnews.su...tewardship.html

I'd gladly pay 3-4 times the current amount for an annual IL fishing license. I think our current license fees are way too low. Wish an increase was guaranteed to go back to the Division of Fisheries. Therein lies the problem!

Very good very CRITICAL article.Shame on any ISA members who didn't take the trouble to send an email or make a call in support of the IDNR funding proposal.The article states Marc Miller opposed it I think we should be asking why.

[Mike Clifford]

Ron- the Bill itself had several versions going over a few day's time. By the time it got to the floor, of course Marc supported it.
Marc was on all of the calls I participated in.
What people don't see on the surface is that the reason for all of the calls was so that the groups supporting this bill could deliver input....and it was absolutely tweaked numerous times before it was sent for an official vote.
Not everyone agreed on every aspect of this.....but SOME version of it HAD to hit the floor, and quickly.

[Mike Clifford]

Marc gives an update (May 31):

[Mike Clifford]

A Thank You letter has been crafted and we are a signatory to it.
These will be printed and in the mail to Yes voting legislators by
early tomorrow afternoon.

On behalf of the Partners for Parks and Wildlife, we would like to
thank you for your vote in favor of SB1566, the Illinois Department of
Natural Resources sustainability package. PPW is a coalition of groups
from throughout Illinois who advocate on behalf of land acquisition
funding and support for our parks and open space, including
conservation organizations, local governments, recreation groups,
sportsmen coalitions and environmental advocacy groups.

PPW applauds your vote to support the Department at this critical
juncture. IDNR has a critical role in managing the natural resources
of the state of Illinois. Our state relies on IDNR to keep state
parks open and continue vital programs that protect our water supply,
public safety, and wildlife. SB1566 spreads the burden of protecting
our natural resources in a thoughtful and fair manner to individuals,
organizations, and businesses that use these resources. SB1566 will
provide $32.7 million in new revenue to IDNR, protected by anti-sweeps
language.

This legislation came a few votes short of passing the Senate in the
waning hours of the session. Passing this legislation without delay is
critical. We appreciate your continued support.

Thank you again for your yes vote in favor of IDNR and management of
our state’s natural resources.

Sincerely,

Kent Adams, Regional Biologist, National Wild Turkey Federation
Ed Barsotti, Executive Director, League of Illinois Bicyclists
Steve Buchtel, Executive Director, Trails for Illinois
Lenore Beyer-Clow, Policy Director, Openlands
Angelo Capparella, Conservation Chair, John Wesley Powell Audubon Society
Mike Clifford, Conservation Director, Illinois Smallmouth Alliance
Glynnis Collins, Executive Director, Prairie Rivers Network
Donnie Dann, Executive Committee Member, Bird Conservation Network
Jack Darin, Executive Director, Illinois Sierra Club
Susan Donovan, Director of Government Relations, The Nature
Conservancy in Illinois
Johanna Garsenstein, Chicago Project Manager, Land Trust Alliance, Inc
Lorna Gladstone, President, Boone Creek Watershed Alliance
Lisa Haderlein, Executive Director, The Land Conservancy of McHenry County
Kevin Ivers, Board President, McHenry County Conservation District
Elizabeth S. Kessler, Executive Director, McHenry County Conservation District
Aaron K. Kuehl, Director of Conservation Programs, Pheasants Forever
and Quail Forever
Howard Learner, Executive Director, Environmental Law and Policy Center
Judith Lihota, President, Calumet Ecological Park Association
Mary Lou Mellon, Vice President, Bird Conservation Network
Peter Murphy, President/CEO, Illinois Association of Park Districts
Jerry Pagac, Executive Director, Champaign County Forest Preserve District
Justin Pepper, Acting Director, Audubon Chicago Region
Arnold Randall, General Superintendent, Forest
Preserve District of Cook County
Peter Veit, Director of: Horsemen's Council of IL, IL Trail Rider,
Trail Riders of DuPage, IL Equine Industry Research & Promotion Board
Jennifer Walling, Executive Director, Illinois Environmental Council
Elizabeth White, Trust for Public Lands