The next several days will likely determine the immediate future of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). Illinois’ budgetary shortfalls, which have devastated many state programs, now threatens massive budget cuts to the already-struggling IDNR. To this end, at the moment the Illinois State Senate is considering SB 1566, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Sustainable Revenue Bill. The bill would provide enough funds to maintain the departments current level of responsibilities while guarding against possible borrowing from the Legislature or the Governor’s office. The IDNR is immensely important for the state of Illinois; it maintains our state parks, serves as protector of our endangered species, issues hunting and fishing licenses and does its best to get people outside and moving. Our state is cash-strapped, that no one can doubt, but we must be careful not to cut budgets without looking at the consequences. The IDNR provides a unique service and serves an huge role for our state and its people. For these reasons, it should receive the funding it needs to keep itself going as an effective governmental body. Action is most likely going to be taken today or tomorrow on SB 1566, and it is uncertain whether the bill, which has broad support in the House, will pass the Senate. Call your local State Senator and tell him or her of your support for SB 1566, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Sustainable Revenue Bill.