RE: Lowdown on IL NR fees
The problem with all of these funding is what they are really doing is directiing old money from the DNR that was funded by general taxes and putting them in the general fund budget instead of letting increased fees increase the DNR budget. I think eventually what would happen is the Pittman act (Did you know a similar tax was propsed to "nature.environmental groups for things like bird watching and hiking equipment and the manufactures and user groups wouldn't support it) would be able to fully fundy the DNR if they pushed this and Blago wouldn't be able to funnel any more money out of DNR. Problem is the funds are used for state parks as well and you know that is where the money would go to instead of habitat purchase or more game scientists for improving the natural resource.
I am sure the workers of the DNR do feel that way, at least the ones I have spoken too. Their director is just a freaking crony however and I am sure doesn't give a flying f.... as long as he is getting is paycheck.