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IDNR Funding Bill- A MUST READ!!


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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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

 

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/sports/12887874-419/maciulis-time-for-responsible-stewardship.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!

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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.

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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.

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Guest 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

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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.

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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.

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  • 2 weeks later...

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

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