Park fees Bill passes House, awaits Senate assignment

By Gregory Harutunian  Correspondent

The days of free public access to state-operated parks and recreational facilities may be numbered, if pending legislation, currently under review for assignment in the Illinois Senate, nets approval to allow the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to collect daily and annual admission fees.

House Bill 5789 concerning the measure passed by an 81-29 margin March 27, and was placed for assignment in the senate chambers two days later.

The house legislation, sponsored by state Rep. JoAnn Osmond, R-Antioch, has garnered attention and controversy from both sides of the aisle and become a point of contention for advocates and opponents of the potential action.

Admission has never been charged to state parks and the amount has not been determined. Wisconsin state parks charge in-state residents a $7 daily fee per vehicle or $25 for a yearlong pass. Indiana charges $5 for a daily in-state pass and $36 for a yearly pass.

Proponents consider the funds necessary to pay for maintenance and repairs to park property and facilities, while others offer the view that it rescinds the one of the last vestiges to families for recreation and enjoyment without basic charges to a legacy created for the people of Illinois.

Specifically, the synopsis of HB5789, as written, is an amendment to the existing IDNR administrative and states, “(It) authorizes the department to charge an annual vehicle admission fee and daily access fee for entrance to properties owned, managed, leased, or all by the department. Provides that the department may charge a daily access fee to pedestrians and to owners of vehicles that do not have a current annual vehicle sticker. Provides that the department may establish a fee for individuals who use a park without paying the annual vehicle admission fee or daily access fee.

“Requires revenue generated by the annual vehicle admission and daily access fees to be deposited into the State Parks Fund, or Wildlife and Fish Fund. Authorizes the Department to adopt any rules necessary to implement these fees. Effective July 1, 2012.”

The wording has left open the method of collection to be initiated by IDNR to gather the fees. There are other questions regarding the funding intent, which has received tacit indications of approval from Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, in various media outlets. IDNR has seen its budget slashed continually for several years, and the present overall budget shortfall facing the state makes the legislation a “cost-effective” avenue for the department’s funding.

Of the 29 dissenting votes against the bill in the Illinois House, one was cast by state Rep. Jack Franks, D-Woodstock, due to related contingency “red flags.” Amenities supplied at numerous parks include horseback riding and horse rental, boat and canoe launch access, as well as day programs that carry their own individual charges. The entrance fee is a separate cost, exclusive of the other programs.

In a statement to The Report, Franks said, “I opposed House Bill 5789 because Illinois’ state parks belong to the people, and the citizens already pay too much in taxes. Limiting access to state parks – due to Springfield’s inability to spend within its means – was not a compelling enough argument for me to support.

“I appreciate the fact that park maintenance budgets have significantly dwindled, but I believe imposing a single-use entrance fee will negatively impact the patronage of Illinois’ state parks at a time when families need no-cost, outdoor activity options.

“The fees will do little more than send patrons to county preserves and parks in other states, in an effort to avoid the additional cost. Even the Department of Natural Resources, whose funding has been steadily slashed for years, acknowledges the fee will not take care of all its funding challenges.

“Most importantly, nothing prevents these funds from being swept for other uses. Citizens have every right to be skeptical of whether these fees will actually go towards the betterment of Illinois’ state parks.”

 

Deja vu?

The uproar has also revived memories of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s closure of eleven parks and 13 historic sites in Aug. 2008, citing an inability to continue operational funding.

The sites included Lowden State Park, home of the “Blackhawk” statue created by Lorado Taft, and Castle Rock State Park in Ogle County, and the Lincoln Tomb, seven months before his bicentennial birth celebration.

Local businesses in the impacted areas complained of the lost revenue from the tourist trade that normally visited the sites for historical or recreational purposes.

“Our state parks are one of our most cherished natural assets and limiting their availability will not solve the problem. Investing in our environmental treasures should be a state priority, but penalizing the public for Springfield’s financial mismanagement is not the solution,” said Franks.

The fee imposition will effect McHenry County parks such as Chain O’ Lakes State Park, Moraine Hills State Park, and the McHenry Lock and Dam State Park. The latter two parks have only four full-time staff, according to personnel records, and all three locations are popular fishing destinations.

The senate version of the bill is being co-sponsored by Sen. Pamela Althoff, R-Crystal Lake, and Sen. Dan Kotowski, D-Park Ridge. Should the bill be approved, a formal reading and vote by the Illinois General Assembly would follow before it is placed on the governor’s desk for approval.

State Sen. Dan Duffy, R-Barrington expects to provide opposition to the bill in the open debate forum. “(I) completely oppose paying any fees at state parks. That is outrageous. I am a big fan of state parks and agree these public parks should be available to everyone, from all walks of life, free of charge.”

Sen. Althoff’s office was contacted several times for comment, with no response. State Rep. Osmond was contacted but unable to reply, prior to press deadline.

 


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