Park advocates want state money restored

CHAMPAIGN -- Conservationists predict $14 million being slashed from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources' budget will lead to job cuts and parks curtailing their hours or closing.

Jonathan Goldman of the Illinois Environmental Council predicts that the department will lay off about 160 of its 1,420 employees.

Department spokesman Chris McCloud says no decisions have been made since the funding cut was announced earlier this month.

Governor Rod Blagojevich cut the state's budget to meet what he says is a $2 billion shortfall.

Money was also cut for health care, education social services and transportation.

Goldman and others want lawmakers to restore some of the money.