The Illinois agency that oversees state parks wants lawmakers to raise the license plate renewal fee.
This is the second attempt by the Department of Natural Resources to raise funds to help take care of deferred maintenance at the state parks. The agency has experienced a 50% cut in state funding over the past decade. DNR spokesman Chris McCloud says the agency is a shell of what is used to be. He says without more revenue the department will not be able to maintain grounds or address backlog maintenance projects. Earlier this year the backlog of maintenance was estimated at $500 Million.
That's the argument being made to legislators, who are back in Springfield for the veto session. Last spring, the Illinois House gave the go-ahead to tacking two dollars onto the annual cost to renew license plates. That measure also created or increased a smattering of fees - like those charged for using a public beach, or registration of a motorboat. But it came up three votes short in the Senate, where some legislators say education and other causes need extra revenue first.
