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Cuts falling on Natural Resources Department
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Conservation groups worry $14 million in budget cuts facing the Illinois Department of Natural Resources will lead to job losses and ultimately closures or cutbacks at parks and lakes. The agency says no decisions have been made. The details:
THE MONEY: State budget cuts announced by Gov. Rod Blagojevich include $14 million at the Department of Natural Resources, about 11.5 percent of the agency's existing $191 million budget.
THE AGENCY: The Department of Natural Resources manages more than 120 parks, lakes and wildlife and recreation areas around the state. It also is responsible for enforcing state game and fish laws intended to ensure healthy populations of both.
WHAT'S AHEAD: Conservation groups like the Illinois Environmental Council hope the General Assembly restores the money. But the Senate would have to sign off, and Senate President Emil Jones says he won't consider the idea.
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