Quinn to Reopen Some State Parks

By Kevin Robinson in News on Feb 26, 2009 5:15PM

The governor is scheduled to make an announcement this morning that several state parks, closed by Rod Blagojevich as a cost cutting measure in response to state budget pressures, will be re-opened. The announcement, to be held at at the Department of Natural Resources headquarters in Springfield, will be "good news because that was just a huge economic loss to our district and the rest of the state,” said Dixon Democrat Sen. Tim Bivins. “I think anybody who likes the state parks of Illinois will like what we have to say,” Quinn spokesman Robert Reed told the Peoria Journal Star.

A source in the governor's office told the Tribune that state parks will be re-opened, but wouldn't confirm which parks would be on the list. Quinn, who opposed closing the parks, hasn't said how he'll pay for the maintenance, but state officials say that it will cost several million dollars. Regardless, the governor has said that he doesn't believe closing the parks has saved money, but has actually cost the state tourism revenue as people seek vacation options closer to home.