Illinois Conservation Police patrols in jeopardy

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - The lack of a state budget may hinder Illinois Conservation Police from monitoring outdoor recreational activities this summer.

The State Journal-Register (http://bit.ly/28SFGvK ) reports that Illinois Department of Natural Resources spokesman Tim Schweizer said the department intends to have officers available this summer but he called on Democratic legislative leaders to approve a stopgap budget to ensure adequate enforcement.

Schweizer said that the conservation police are concerned about how to keep boat patrols going without the spending authority for fuel.

The natural resources department let 33 conservation police officers go last year, but a lawsuit filed by the American Federation of State, Country and Municipal Employees prevented any state workers in the union from being laid off.

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Information from: The State Journal-Register, http://www.sj-r.com