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The hollowing-out of state government

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Illinois

* Les Winkler at the Southern Illinoisan says the Illinois Department of Natural Resources needs Governor-elect JB Pritzker’s attention…

Finally, the primary reason the IDNR is still afloat is the amazingly dedicated staff you are inheriting. Site superintendents are burning wood in their offices and maintenance buildings to save on fuel costs. They’ve become savants at saving dimes and nickels.

Granted, the ongoing financial issues complicate running the state, but at some point Illinois is going to have to re-staff the DNR.

When boiled down to its simplest level, man’s role on this planet isn’t that complicated.

Wildlife and fisheries biologists are covering five or six counties. They cannot be effective when they are spread that thin. Conservation police officers each cover several counties. When you consider they are working in some of the most remote places in the state, it’s easy to see their job is nearly impossible.

And, the site superintendents …

Some of these dedicated public servants are administering 10 to 12 sites. That’s beyond ridiculous — it’s irresponsible. Some state parks in our region don’t have a single full-time employee.

IDNR has been steadily hollowed out since Gov. Rod Blagojevich took office. It’s the most extreme example of what’s been happening just about everywhere else in state government.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Nov 9, 18 @ 11:12 am

Comments

And keep in mind that IDNR was also handed the Illinois Historic Preservation tasks…

Comment by Morningstar Friday, Nov 9, 18 @ 11:22 am
“what’s been happening just about everywhere else in state government.’

Testify!
Testify!

Comment by WhoKnew Friday, Nov 9, 18 @ 11:24 am
IDNR has definitely taken some hits over the years. Sadly, most people don’t know there are many other agencies and job titles that are severely understaffed. Several of the titles being understaffed directly influence public safety.

Comment by AnonAnon Friday, Nov 9, 18 @ 11:24 am
Rebuild the Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Nov 9, 18 @ 11:26 am
Sickening

Comment by Precinct Captain Friday, Nov 9, 18 @ 11:30 am
Burning wood in their offices? Big if true.

On the other hand, DO NOT re-staff the DNR unless revenue increases happen. Stop spending money without increasing revenue. Increase park fees to do it.

Comment by California Guy Friday, Nov 9, 18 @ 11:31 am
The under funding of IDNR over the years is why my family camps at WI campgrounds. They are wonderfully maintained and are staffed with employees and police.

Comment by Camper Friday, Nov 9, 18 @ 11:50 am
I remember Blago as governor bragging about how he’d never visited a state park in his life. What a weirdo.

There’s a great ROI on restoring state parks, rec areas and historic sites in areas that could use a shot in the arm.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Nov 9, 18 @ 11:55 am
Another opportunity to expand businesses and revenue that has been squandered. Some of our neighboring states do a much better job providing opportunities.

Comment by JS Mill Friday, Nov 9, 18 @ 11:58 am
California Guy “Increase park fees to do it.”

Aside from camping fees / reserving pavilions I don’t think there are any fees currently. At least I have never been charged for using a park. There are hunting / fishing licenses, but, those aren’t specific to parks.

Comment by anon616xx Friday, Nov 9, 18 @ 12:00 pm
@anon616xx - I remember paying fees to camp. My overall point is to simply not staff up anything until revenue is increased to pay for it.

Comment by California Guy Friday, Nov 9, 18 @ 12:10 pm
This is a huge every day concern for me.
I have a lot of those DNR folks in my local
I don’t doubt that they burn wood. Some of those places are old WPA lodges and cabins.
But here at my office our caseworker to customer 1 to 813.
Our lobby wait time is often in actuality over 3 hours
Yesterday was just apocalyptic
Agencies are indeed husks
The workforce has collapsed
Our capacity to do the business of the state
Is a fraction of what it was.
It’s sad that so much is hidden from public view
I hope JB comes out with a human services
Transition team
True care professionals
Not insurance company execs or privatizers
I want to see Rev Barber types
Folks who will fight like berserkers
To secure resources and
stabilize our vulnerable Illinoisans.
To co-opt Dr. Cornell West
” The vocation of the intellectual (transition team) is to let suffering speak, let victims be visible, and let social misery be put on the agenda of those in power”

Comment by Honeybear Friday, Nov 9, 18 @ 12:11 pm
–Aside from camping fees / reserving pavilions I don’t think there are any fees currently.–

Completely reasonable, as surrounding states and the federales offer both day and annual passes for parks.

TII, though. If that is done here, there needs to be strict controls that the money gets plowed back into the parks, and doesn’t just become another fund to raid.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Nov 9, 18 @ 12:18 pm
Ditto the IL State Museum that Rauner decimated.

A terrible mark overall in Illinois’ bicentennial year. More sacrifice in this sacrificial land.

Comment by vole Friday, Nov 9, 18 @ 12:22 pm
IDNR does need help to support its core missions. As a sportsman I’m ok with a $5 hike on permit fees, hunting & fishing liscences (though full disclosure I don’t pay for the later anymore).

A deer permit is $25, $30 won’t change sales.

Comment by Mason born Friday, Nov 9, 18 @ 12:28 pm
I have 3 DNR employees in my local which spans two large downstate communities. Its ridiculous how thinly they’re stretched.

And honeybear, we’re in the same agency. Keep your head up. Do the best you can for those you can do it for. It’s not right, but that’s what we’ve got at the moment.

Comment by Fixer Friday, Nov 9, 18 @ 12:33 pm
CA guy, I can speak to only Pere Marquette near me. It’s a stunning park with reasonable camping fees. My church has used the group camping ground many times. It’s very affordable and wonderful.
But you must understand who enjoys these parks the most,
Folks of very modest means. Take a look at it online. Now think about the majority of Southern Illinoisans being able to afford and enjoy that incredible natural setting.
I went them to continue that
Several years ago I was there for my church Campfest
We sat on the bluffs high above the confluence
And watched the fireworks of the entire
St. Louis metro area
Rich and poor
Black and white
Of every diversity and demographic
Enjoying a once in a lifetime experience
Raising fees sounds great on paper
But that’s only because we are
Removed from the reality of most folks
51% of our illinois children
Need free or reduced price lunch
Here in East St Louis
School lunch is the best if not only
Meal of the day.

Comment by Honeybear Friday, Nov 9, 18 @ 12:47 pm
Back in the day, IDNR was second only to IDOT in the number of no-show political hires being sheltered there, displacing the people who actually did, you know, road engineer stuff and wildlife preservation stuff. Rauner’s model was to make IDNR just an office that contracts everything out to private sector services… only there was no money to ever pay for those contractors.

When the new gov asks for the tax increase, stories like these need to be told to the electorate so they know what the money is going for is real stuff and real people, not cushy hacks.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Nov 9, 18 @ 1:02 pm
It is a shame, but this “hollowing out” is not occurring due to policy disputes or neglect. It’s simple math. Significantly more money for pensions and health care means less money for staff, services, and programs. The state needs to make a thoughtful decision to improve services by raising revenue or reducing services to match the revenue that exists.

Comment by Anon Friday, Nov 9, 18 @ 1:14 pm
Of course dnr oversees the state museum with far less paperwork since rauner eviscerated it. I hope somewhere along the road the new administration can rekindle the ism’s budget and perhaps make it a free-standing government entity. Never ever will i forgive rauner for that bit of unnecessary and mean closure. Another travesty among the many he perpetrated.

Comment by My New Handle Friday, Nov 9, 18 @ 1:21 pm
Absorb Dept of Ag

Comment by I Miss Bentohs Friday, Nov 9, 18 @ 1:45 pm
While I would agree with the concerns about IDNR, they most definitely are not the only agency that has been gutted in the last 10 years or so as the State Financial situation has spiraled out of control, though the last 4 years seem to be the worst. Many agencies, including some of the smallest before this, seem to be working with half the staff they had 10 years ago, with the number of attorney’s /political appointments ever increasing, sucking payroll away from operating / personnel necessities.

Comment by Dog Friday, Nov 9, 18 @ 2:04 pm
@- My New Handle - Friday, Nov 9, 18 @ 1:21 pm:

“Of course dnr oversees the state museum with far less paperwork since rauner eviscerated it. I hope somewhere along the road the new administration can rekindle the ism’s budget and perhaps make it a free-standing government entity. Never ever will i forgive rauner for that bit of unnecessary and mean closure. Another travesty among the many he perpetrated.”

Amen times 10. That act was as ignominious as any other barbarity straight out of the history books.

Comment by Hieronymus Friday, Nov 9, 18 @ 2:23 pm
Like so many other institutions, it kind of needed to be destroyed to be rebuilt. Even when better staffed, IDNR was resistant to change, slow as molasses and uncooperative with local governments and other local interests.

I’d love to see IDNR grown, but to do good works on the ground, not to be big wrenches in the cogs as they have been.

Comment by Shemp Friday, Nov 9, 18 @ 2:25 pm
The ICC experienced a huge brain drain under Rauner. Its a small agency but it affects everyone in the State. Rauner’s appointed chairman fired or forced out those who asked questions. And moved everyone he could to Chicago, including the exec. dir. even though most staff are in Springfield. Its in desperate need of rebuilding.

Comment by Nobody Sent Friday, Nov 9, 18 @ 2:30 pm
Honeybear, is your agency partially federally funded? Can we get more Fed funds by investing more State funds?

I agree DNR needs help, but not at the expense of social service providers.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Friday, Nov 9, 18 @ 3:04 pm
Is a park visit a need on the same level as a bridge fix? these are the kinds of questions that have to get asked when there is not enough money. prioritizing services is necessary. figuring out the appropriate level of user fees for a variety of government services is important to go along with tax dollars. costs go up on everything but the public expects the same….or greater…level of service. not possible. financing services governments provide is more and more difficult every year. unlike your average store, or hired hand who raises the price on something, structure for revenue different in the public sector.

Comment by Amalia Friday, Nov 9, 18 @ 3:19 pm
AA- food stamps are 100% federally paid by the farm bill
Medicaid is a 50/50 split
As to the myriad other programs and departments I don’t know
Way above my pay grade
I’m just a front line caseworker
I wish I could answer your question
Sorry

Comment by Honeybear Friday, Nov 9, 18 @ 3:52 pm
The National Parks charge a reasonable price for an annual pass. I am told that these fees cover the overwhelming majority of park costs.

The same model could work for the state parks. The ones my family frequents could use a little work on facilities and programs.

Comment by Jake From Elwood Friday, Nov 9, 18 @ 4:13 pm
Rich, it is entirely correct to urge the Governor-elect to focus on the IDNR and its diminished staff. The head count today is half what it was 20 years ago, and the IDNR is not able to do what is necessary to protect the state’s natural resources and improve our state parks.

I want to add today that the same could be said for the state’s Historic Sites Agency which has now become part of the IDNR. Sites that had 25 staff two decades ago now have 5; other sites have a single person assigned to them. For a state that has endless potential to be a tourism destination state, it is indefensible that we have ignored our state parks, lodges and historic sites. We need to focus on two things. Staffing levels for these sites must be increased and capital funds need to be committed to restoring and improving these valuable resources.

Comment by Al Grosboll Friday, Nov 9, 18 @ 4:31 pm