Suburban state parks might add entrance fee

SPRINGFIELD — The costs of maintaining state parks might soon be shouldered directly by park-goers under a proposal from a suburban lawmaker.

A plan by state Rep. JoAnn Osmond, an Antioch Republican, would give the Department of Natural Resources the ability to charge entrance fees at state parks. It was approved by a House committee Tuesday.

The fees also would help pay for restoration of parks like Adeline Jay Geo-Karis Illinois Beach State Park near Zion, which has been closed since last summer after several storms caused thousands of dollars in damage.

Other suburban state parks include Chain 'O Lakes State Park near Spring Grove, James “Pate” Philip State Park near Bartlett and Moraine Hills State Park near McHenry.

Osmond said she understands a fee might concern people who don't think they can afford it, but she argued the extra money is necessary.

“Our state parks won't be open if we don't get them up to level,” Osmond said.

Osmond's legislation doesn't lay out how much the state could charge, but Ron House, director of land management at the Department of Natural Resources, said it's possible guests would pay an entrance fee of $5 to $10, perhaps with an option to pay a flat annual fee.

Illinois is one of seven states that does not charge an access fee for its state parks, but budget cuts have forced park officials to look for new revenue to maintain state parks and their facilities.

“We have to find a way to fund these parks,” Jay Curtis, chief of staff at DNR.

The fees plan now moves to the full House for further debate, after a 13-1 vote Tuesday.