Mike Clifford

Many thanks to the volunteers that pour their hearts into this each and every year. A spectacular day was had by all, as usual!! The album of photos speaks for itself. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150953419417808.445657.823017807&type=1&l=9edca0ea9c

Ed- last time I did a breakfast call for a Kank outing, I had pie and coffee by myself. I was thinking it was just me......so your mileage may vary! : )

We're shattering the record this year and will be looking at 200+ kids!!!! Eat your Wheaties, gang! : ) I'm very happy to share that 56% of the children who have registered to date are new to our event, and 23% have never fished before. You should be very proud of the impact you are making. It's working!!!

Awesome- thanks John!

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

Many thanks to Terry and ALL of the volunteers for making this happen with their support!

We can still use a few more volunteers for this extremely rewarding event. When: Saturday June 16th (Volunteers arrive at 8 a.m.) Where: Herrick Lake, Wheaton We're providing the casting field once again for the 6th consecutive year. Please let me know if you are able to help! mikeclifford2@gmail.com Just as important to me is if you do not volunteer as a casting field worker, then bring some kids to enjoy the day! This is what it is all about! Pre-registration is appreciated. http://www.sgttommyskids.org/FishingDaySignup/tabid/63/Default.aspx Out of all our members, we have a treasure trove of KIDS that would love to be there.......make it happen!

Marc gives an update (May 31):

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.

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.

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.

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

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

I have yet to receive mine, but have obviously seen the PDF version. This kind of professionalism is far from free.......continue to support your club!! Many thanks again to Scott for setting the bar so high for so long on this effort.

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.

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.

I have a friend that is looking for some family-friendly fishing in the Sheridan, IL area of the Fox River. If anyone can steer towards someplace for kids to catch fish, please PM me! Greatly appreciated.

What a great touch, honoring Scott for his tremendous work!

Awesome, Don!

Just got the call from Chauncey as well. What a horrible loss. I'm speechless.

Thanks for the update on this!

Got the latest (and sadly, last) Bronzeback Bulletin produced by Scott Ferguson. To say it is another stellar production is an understatement! I'm going to dearly miss Scott's personal touch in this publication. Thanks again for an amazing run!

For our March meeting we will have Captain Austin Adduci give the presentation that was postponed due to the storm of January 20th.This meeting will again be held at the Bolingbrook Bass Pro Shops store,709 Janes Avenue Bolingbrook Illinois on March 24th at 6:30pm

I vote for Eric's as Post of the Year. Yes, I realize it's only March. Back to my pizza and composing a post on the best waders for getting in and out of a kayak frequently...which I don't yet own, but we'll get to that soon!