HB 4487 - Funding State Parks through Lottery Game - Illinois 100th General Assembly

House Sponsor
Rep. John M. Cabello

Filed: HB 4487 on 1/31/2018

Synopsis As Introduced:
Amends the Illinois Lottery Law. Requires the Department of the Lottery, beginning on January 1, 2019 or as soon thereafter as is practical, to offer a special instant scratch-off game for the purposes of upkeep, maintenance, and improvements to Illinois State and local parks. Provides that the net revenue from the special instant scratch-off game must be deposited into the Illinois Parks Scratch-off Fund. Provides that the moneys deposited in the Fund shall be used by the Department of Natural Resources for upkeep, maintenance, and improvements to Illinois State and local parks, including grants for those purposes. Authorizes the Department of the Lottery to adopt rules necessary to implement and administer the game. Defines "net revenue". Amends the State Finance Act to create the Illinois Parks Scratch-off Fund. Effective immediately.

Last Actions:

• 1/31/2018 House Filed with the Clerk by Rep. John M. Cabello
• 2/2/2018 House First Reading
• 2/2/2018 House Referred to Rules Committee
• 3/7/2018 House Assigned to Revenue & Finance Committee

Buffalo Rock State Park to reopen on July 4

Just in time for the 4th of July.  Get outdoors tomorrow!

Buffalo Rock State Park to reopen on July 4

OTTAWA, IL – Buffalo Rock State Park in La Salle Co. will reopen to visitors on Tuesday, July 4 at 8:00 a.m.

The park has been closed since significant damage to trees at the park occurred as a result of a tornado that struck the area on February 28.

Buffalo Rock’s River Bluff Trail and Woodland Trail will remain closed until further notice while cleanup of fallen and damaged trees on and along the trails continues. Other areas of the park, including the Effigy Tumuli trail, picnic areas and shelter will be open again beginning July 4.

Holiday weekend travelers are reminded that Buffalo Rock State Park will remain closed to drive-in and walk-in visitors through Monday, July 3 prior to the July 4 reopening.

Starved Rock - The Early Bird Gets the Worm

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is advising visitors to arrive early to Illinois' most visited park.  Starved Rock has exploded over the past few years with visitors coming from across the state to take in the sites at this great park.  Regardless, if you're heading to Starved Rock or heading to one of the many other state parks, get outside this weekend and enjoy our Nation's Birthday.  The IDNR has released the following press release and provided rules to enjoy your weekend.

Arrive Early if Planning a Visit to Starved Rock During Holiday Weekend

Expect temporary closures of the park when parking lots are full

UTICA, IL – Independence Day weekend is expected to be busy at Starved Rock State Park, and anyone planning a visit to the site should arrive early in the day and be alert to likely temporary closures on Saturday, July 1 through Tuesday, July 4.

During the Memorial Day weekend in late May, more than 93,000 people visited Starved Rock, and nearly 22,000 people visited nearby Matthiessen State Park during that three-day weekend. Starved Rock State Park was closed temporarily for several hours each of those days when parking lots reached capacity.

For regular updates, social media users should check the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ (IDNR) Facebook and Twitter feeds during the extended holiday weekend.

IDNR Conservation Police will strictly enforce safety rules at Starved Rock, including:

• No possession of alcohol on trails
• No entering restricted areas
• No hiking off trails
• No climbing rock walls and cliffs
• No Swimming
• No defacing sandstone walls with paint or etchings
• No littering
• No being on trails after dark

All hikers at Starved Rock State Park should stay on designated trails. St. Peter sandstone in the park can crumble and be slippery when wet.

When Starved Rock parking lots reach capacity, access to the park will be closed temporarily for safety reasons until parking becomes available. Motorists should not park along park roads or public highways as that may prevent emergency vehicles from getting through. Vehicles parked illegally will be towed at the owner’s expense.

Starved Rock Lodge guests and lodge restaurant guests with brunch reservations will be allowed to enter the park. Lodge parking will be restricted to lodge patrons with reservations.

For updates, visitors may check for information on park activities and possible temporary closures as they near the park by tuning to the Starved Rock radio station on 1610 AM. For updates via social media, like the Illinois Department of Natural Resources on Facebook and follow the IDNR on Twitter @IllinoisDNR.

Starved Rock Goers Beware of Large Crowds and Parking Closures

What better way to remember those that gave the ultimate sacrifice then looking at some of Illinois most beautiful landscapes and trails.  If you plan to attend Starved Rock, Illinois' number one state park, the IDNR has released the following information.  If you're looking for more information on Starved Rock try - Illinois Straved Rock State Park

Visitors to Starved Rock for Memorial Weekend Should Be Alert for Travel Delays, Possible Parking Closures

UTICA, IL – With large crowds expected to visit Starved Rock State Park near Utica for the Memorial Day weekend, visitors are encouraged to monitor Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Facebook and Twitter feeds for updates on traffic delays and temporary parking closures at the park.

Temporary parking closures occurred last year at Starved Rock State Park during holiday and fall color weekends. While Illinois River flooding has limited access to parking at Starved Rock this spring, all lots are expected to be open for the Memorial Day weekend.

“We encourage motorists to be patient and follow directions from Illinois Conservation Police officers and park staff at and near Starved Rock during the busy holiday weekend,” said Rafael Gutierrez, chief of the IDNR Office of Law Enforcement. “We want everyone visiting Starved Rock and all of our Illinois state parks to enjoy themselves, but also to remember to follow park rules and regulations.”

Conservation Police will strictly enforce the following safety rules at Starved Rock:

• No possession of alcohol on trails year-round

• No alcohol allowed anywhere in the park Jan. 1 – May 31

• No hiking off trails

• No climbing rock walls and cliffs

• No swimming

• No defacing sandstone walls with paint or etchings

• No littering

• No being on trails after dark

All hikers at Starved Rock State Park should stay on designated trails. St. Peter sandstone in Starved Rock can crumble and be slippery when wet.

When Starved Rock parking lots reach capacity, the park may be closed temporarily for safety reasons until parking becomes available. Motorists are reminded not to park along park roads or public highways as that may prevent emergency vehicles from getting through. Vehicles parked illegally will be towed at the owner’s expense.

Starved Rock Lodge guests and lodge restaurant guests with brunch reservations will be allowed to enter the park. Lodge parking will be restricted to lodge patrons with reservations.

To ease traffic congestion, motorists arriving from the east on Interstate 80 should consider taking an alternate route to the park. Travelers can exit at Ottawa, cross the Illinois River, and approach the park from the east on Illinois Rt. 71. Motorists also can exit southbound on Interstate 39 and take the Illinois Rt. 71 exit at Oglesby.

For updates, visitors may check for information on park activities and possible temporary closures as they near the park by tuning to the Starved Rock radio station on 1610 AM. Visitors can also check for updates via social media: 

Remember Enjoy the Outdoors, Good Luck and Stay Safe

                       

Gov. Rauner announces over $1 Million in Recreational Trail Grants

Gov. Rauner announces over $1 Million in Recreational Trail Grants

Funding to improve trails in six Illinois counties

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Governor Bruce Rauner today announced $1,019,200 in grant funding for multi-purpose recreational trail projects that will create or improve trails in six Illinois counties. Funding for the projects is supported by the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Recreational Trails Program. 

“Our trails showcase all the beauty Illinois has to offer,” Governor Rauner said. “Whether you’re enjoying them with family and friends or your pets it’s a great opportunity to explore our state. These grants will improve access to our trails across Illinois.”