The outdoorsmen of the state of Illinois are no strangers to being placed on the bottom of the barrel when it comes to the lawmakers of Springfield. Former Governor and now presumable prison wench, Rod Blagojevich, raided wildlife funds generated by the more than 1.6 million outdoorsmen in 2008 to help pay the inflating state deficit. A deficit that is among the worst in the nation, aiding the creation of the state’s new motto – “Worst Credit Rating of Any State.”
Newly elected Republican governor, Bruce Rauner, appears to be honoring that same tradition. More than halfway through 2015 and the state is still without a budget. With a democrat controlled House and Senate, the state is at a stalemate.
Despite a lack of budget Rauner’s administration is preparing to take immediate action, planning to lay off more than 120 employees on September 30th. The short list includes 33 conservation officers, leaving as many as 34 Illinois counties without an officer for the upcoming 2015 hunting season. Once again, Illinois sportsmen will take the brunt of budget cuts.
Illinois Conservation Police Officers work hard to protect sportsmen and the game they pursue. They need your help to avoid massive lay offs due to the political standoff going on in Springfield this summer.
Our state conservation officers play a critical role in keeping Illinois residents safe while helping to manage and maintain not just the animal populations we all love to chase, but also the hundreds of thousands of hunters and fishermen who take to the woods and waterways in pursuit of their favorite game. Without these officers it is likely more illegal activities will take place across the state; from night shooting from and over harvesting to blatant trespassing and theft violations. The losers are not just the law-abiding majority, but the game populations as well. Game populations many would argue, much like our state, are also in the red.
What will the laying off of 33 conservation officers save the state Illinois taxpayers? If the average Illinois conservation officer makes an annual salary of $60,000 the laying off of 33 of them for one year would save the taxpayer roughly $2 million. For fun, let’s see what could be cut in lieu of hurting our state’s conservation efforts.
For example; currently the state taxpayer helps keep Illinois prison inmates entertained by providing cable television to the tune of $2.26 million. In 2012, Schaumburg residents received a new vacant lot for $2 million. Soldier Field renovations in 2003 cost about $690 million, of which the public portion was $432 million. Pig racing in Rock County – $20,000. Bobble head toys for the Springfield Park District – nearly $10,000. Former governor Pat Quinn’s last day secured the renovation of administration offices of the Chicago social service provider, Illinois Action for Children. Those renovations included new carpeting and three new vans for $1 million.
We can go on and on, but I think you get the point.
Illinois Conservation Officers need our help this time. It’s time for the sportsmen of Illinois to step up and halt Springfield lawmakers from destroying what we work so hard to protect. Please contact your local representative and help put an end to the mistreatment of our state’s natural resources. Resources our conservation officers help protect.
If you agree that our conservation officers are a critical part of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, please contact the governor’s office at (217) 782-0244 and your local representative. Let them hear your concerns, and know the impact the lack of conservation officers will have where you live. Push them to pass a budget that’s good for Illinois.
