Disturbed by job cutting and budget trimming in the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn is pushing a proposal that could provide $25 million annually to the state’s public lands and recreational opportunities.
Creation of Conservation Initiative 2005 would end what Quinn termed “an obsolete landfill gas subsidy” and prevent further dismantling of the IDNR, which has lost 600 employees through state government cuts and retirements in the last three years.
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The outcry among IDNR employees, legislators, environmentalists and citizens concerned about the agency’s future has increased with the layoff of 87 employees Jan. 14. Quinn, who prides himself on taking the lead on environmental issues, has suggested this plan as an alternative to IDNR cuts.
Quinn, chairman of the Illinois River Coordinating Council, was honored at the Chicagoland Outdoors Show this month for his efforts in saving 52-acre Plum Island at Starved Rock State Park from developers’ plans. Now he has put forth a solution to what has seemed to be a deteriorating situation at the IDNR in the wake of budget cuts ordered by Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
As he did with Plum Island, Quinn is taking the case to the people with a new Web site: Conservation2005.il.gov.
“We have to do something dramatic and bold,” Quinn said.
Under his plan, Quinn would divert $25 million in annual tax breaks from what he described as a landfill gas “loophole” that dates to the 1980s, then used to spur development of the landfill gas-recovery market.
Quinn said the market is now “mature” and that Illinois is the only state that retains a subsidy. Six out-of-state companies involving 36 landfills reap the benefits of the subsidy, he said.
Rep. Jack Franks (D-Woodstock), chairman of the state government administrative committee, said he believes Quinn’s idea is good and that the IDNR needs the help.
“I think it makes perfect sense,” Franks said.
Franks called the administration’s IDNR cuts “ill-advised” and said he was “worried about the safety of the parks.” Blagojevich and IDNR Director Joel Brunsvold have pledged to keep state parks open regardless of cuts.
“At what price, though?” Franks said. If someone is harmed seriously in a park because of lack of security, he said, “imagine the liability.”
Quinn’s proposal would give $5 million to the IDNR to continue its mission of safeguarding the state’s natural resources. Also, $10 million would go for the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, which prevents soil erosion and improves water quality and wildlife habitat, with a $40 million concurrent contribution from the federal government. The other $10 million would go to Conservation 2000, the program used to manage the state’s natural resources.
“Here’s the choice,” Quinn said. “Are we going to allow the continuation of an obsolete loophole for six companies? We cannot allow the continued erosion of IDNR. It’s too precious. Some things in government aren’t going in the right direction. [The cuts] really have harmed the department. We need to do something about it.”
Blagojevich inherited a huge state budget deficit when he took office. Brunsvold inherited marching orders to cut, cut, cut. Things have looked bleak for the IDNR for a long time. Department spokeswoman Gayle Simpson said Brunsvold has embraced Quinn’s idea but does not believe it will become reality.
“It has been discussed previously,” Simpson said of eradication of the subsidy. “And it has never been eliminated. We’re open to anything that will bring in money, but we’re not very optimistic.”
Quinn is. He thinks he is backing a rescue plan. It is an interesting role for a lieutenant governor. Holders of that office typically are more invisible than vice presidents. Bringing his message directly to the people online could be a stroke of genius.
Quinn may be in for a political fight, but it seems he has embraced a politically popular cause. He said he takes his inspiration from former President Theodore Roosevelt, whom many consider one of the 20th Century’s great conservationists.
“I want to mobilize the people of Illinois on conservation in the spirit of Teddy Roosevelt,” Quinn said.
It is a laudable goal, and Conservation Initiative 2005 should be a winning idea.