Some lawmakers see politics in park closings

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[The Blagojevich administration says it had no other choice but to shut down two dozen state parks and historic sites this fall, facing deep budget holes.

But some lawmakers see a political bent to the attractions picked for closure.

All of the closing historic sites and state parks are represented by either Republicans or downstate Democrats who have fought with Blagojevich or opposed his proposals on a variety of issues during his two terms in office.

The shuttered parks are all in northern and east-central Illinois. Historic sites scheduled to close are scattered more widely, but none are located in districts represented by Democrats who have been friendly to the governor's agenda.

The administration insists political payback played no factor in the shutdowns. Some lawmakers aren't buying that.

"Personally, it definitely smacks of a political football type of situation," said Rep. Jerry Mitchell, R-Sterling. "This guy has shown he can be very vindictive. The unfortunate part is he's sending (a message) the wrong way."

Department of Natural Resources spokesman Chris McCloud said the 11 parks closing Nov. 1 were selected after reviewing park sizes, their services and how close they are to other parks.

"We realize that closing any parks in any areas would be met with criticism," McCloud said. "We also realize that there is no way to avoid at least some impact to the immediate area where a facility will close."

The 13 historic sites closing fully or partially Oct. 1 were picked largely based on attendance, Illinois Historic Preservation Agency spokesman Dave Blanchette said. The decision was made by the agency, not the governor's office.

"We cut only what was necessary to meet that $2.8 million (budget hole) figure," Blanchette said.

Two sites in Chicago are staying open - one with fewer visitors than several closed sites and one open only by appointment. But Blanchette says they're not closing because each has only one employee working there.

Mitchell represents Oregon, which faces the closure of two state parks. He says he and other lawmakers have noticed a pattern to the closings, but don't understand why it was done this way.

"The frustrating part of it all is it just absolutely makes no sense," Mitchell said. "This is almost Gestapo-like tactics."

Sen. Mike Jacobs, D-East Moline, is seeing a museum close at the Black Hawk historical site in Rock Island, while the natural areas and lodge will remain open. He has sparred with the governor at times, emerging from one meeting with the governor last year saying they almost came to blows.

Jacobs said he would hate to think the closings were politically motivated, but added they will only hurt his area and the state.

"The governor doesn't know how to run the state," Jacobs said. "He's done this without any input."

Sen. Larry Bomke, R-Springfield, said he can see how the closings are seen as being political. Whether they are or not, Bomke said, they will cause more harm than good.

"The governor doesn't get it," Bomke said. "It will take us years to recover from this."

Two dozen state parks and historic sites are scheduled to close this fall, the victims of deep state budget cuts. The historic sites will close Oct. 1, and the state parks will close Nov. 1. Here is a look at the location of those sites and parks and the state legislators who represent those affected areas:

Historic Sites

- Dana-Thomas House, Springfield: Represented by Sen. Larry Bomke, R-Springfield, and Rep. Raymond Poe, R-Springfield.

- Black Hawk, Rock Island (museum closed, natural areas and lodge open): Sen. Mike Jacobs, D-East Moline, and Rep. Pat Verschoore, D-Milan.

- Lincoln Log Cabin, Charleston: Sen. Dale Righter, R-Mattoon, and Rep. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet.

- Bryant Cottage, Bement: Righter and Rose.

- David Davis Mansion, Bloomington: Sen. Bill Brady, R-Bloomington, and Rep. Dan Brady, R-Bloomington.

- Fort de Chartres, Prairie du Rocher: Sen. Dave Luechtefeld, R-Okawville, and Rep. Dan Reitz, D-Steeleville.

- Cahokia Courthouse, Cahokia: Luechtefeld and Reitz.

- Fort Kaskaskia and Pierre Menard Home, Ellis Grove: Luechtefeld and Reitz.

- Vandalia Statehouse, Vandalia: Sen. Frank Watson, R-Greenville, and Rep. Ron Stephens, R-Greenville.

- Bishop Hill Museum, Colony Church and Bjorklund Hotel, Bishop Hill: Sen. Dale Risinger, R-Peoria, and Rep. Don Moffitt, R-Gilson.

- Carl Sandburg, Galesburg: Risinger and Moffitt.

- Jubilee College, Brimfield: Risinger and Rep. David Leitch, R-Peoria.

- Apple River Fort, Elizabeth: Sen. Tim Bivins, R-Dixon, and Rep. Jim Sacia, R-Pecatonica.

State Parks

- Castle Rock State Park, Oregon: Sen. Tim Bivins, R-Dixon, and Rep. Jerry Mitchell, R-Sterling.

- Lowden State Park, Oregon: Bivins and Mitchell.

- Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park, Sheffield: Sen. Dale Risinger, R-Peoria, and Rep. Don Moffitt, R-Gilson.

- Illini State Park, Marseilles: Sen. Gary Dahl, R-Granville, and Rep. Frank Mautino, D-Spring Valley.

- Channahon Parkway State Park, Channahon: Dahl and Rep. Careen Gordon, D-Morris.

- Gebhard Woods State Park, Morris: Dahl and Gordon.

- Hidden Springs State Forest, Strasburg: Sen. Dale Righter, R-Mattoon, and Rep. Roger Eddy, R-Hutsonville.

- Kickapoo State Park, Oakwood: Sen. Mike Frerichs, D-Gifford, and Rep. Bill Black, R-Danville.

- Moraine View State Park, Leroy: Sen. Dan Rutherford, R-Chenoa, and Rep. Keith Sommer, R-Morton.

- Weldon Springs State Park, Clinton: Sen. Bill Brady, R-Bloomington, and Rep. Dan Brady, R-Bloomington.

- Wolf Creek State Park, Windsor: Sen. Frank Watson, R-Greenville, and Rep. Bob Flider, D-Mt. Zion.