Gov. Rod Blagojevich will propose tens of millions of dollars in funding this week for environmental and recreational projects, including restoration of Lake Michigan’s shoreline, an administration source said Sunday.
But Blagojevich’s proposal comes as Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn joined environmental groups on Sunday in a fight to restore more than $30 million the governor wants to slash from the budget for the fiscal year that will begin July 1.
“There [are] lots of ways to get to heaven when it comes to a budget, but one thing that cannot be sacrificed is our commitment to conservation and to the environment,” Quinn said.
The governor’s funding recommendations, to be unveiled as part of his capital spending budget Tuesday, include $6.7 million for restoring the shoreline between Montrose Avenue and Irving Park Road, the administration source said.
It is one of the final pieces of a more than $300 million restoration project that has had local, state and federal funding, the source said.
The administration also is expected to propose up to $61 million in state and federal funds for other projects around the state.
One recommendation calls for putting $10 million, a $5.2 million increase from the current level, in state funds into a conservation and habitat program for the Illinois River and its tributaries, the source said. The administration would seek up to $40 million in matching federal funds.
The governor also is expected to propose maintenance budgets of $7.8 million in state funds for another watershed habitat program around the state and $3 million in federal funds for recreation grants to park districts, the source said.
The state money the governor is proposing to use is bond money that would be paid back with interest over time.
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The programs Quinn wants funded, which among other things buy natural areas and protect open space, have been largely financed by the state tax on home sales.
Abby Ottenhoff, Blagojevich’s spokeswoman, said the governor wants the programs backed by Quinn to take a one-year holiday.
She said the governor’s commitment to the environment would be evident when the rest of the budget is unveiled this week.
Quinn was joined by leaders of several environmental organizations, including the Illinois Association of Park Districts, the Illinois Environmental Council and the Lake County Conservation Alliance.
Quinn said he applauds the governor’s proposed environmental projects, but maintains that the programs he supports should be funded as well. He said eliminating a tax break given to landfill operators would free up funds.