Governor Rauner's Proposed Illinois Department of Natural Resources FY17 Budget

Governor Rauner's Proposed Illinois Department of Natural Resources FY17 Budget

State Budget FY 2017
Pictures property of IDNR and IGOMB

Today (February 17, 2016) Governor Rauner gave his Budget Address for Fiscal Year 2017.  This budget includes all of Illinois expenditures including those he recommends for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Environment and Culture  

Department of Natural Resources

"The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has a wide range of responsibilities to protect and enhance the state’s natural resources. This includes wildlife and fish management for recreation, the Illinois State Parks system, regulation of mining, oil and gas industries, water resources management, including water usage and resources of Lake Michigan and management of invasive species, such as Asian carp.

The department’s fiscal year 2017 recommended budget is $246,768,103. Funding in this budget allows for state parks and campgrounds to remain open and keeps hunting and fishing licenses at the same price. The budget includes $5.5 million for the re-opening of the Illinois State Museum in Springfield and Dickson Mounds under a proposed plan to allow the department to charge admission fees and partner with local private entities to make the museums more self-supporting.

DNR will continue to pursue cost-saving management initiatives to effectively execute its core mission and programs in fiscal year 2017. The department will establish a new division, Grant Management and Assistance, to provide consistency and improve oversight of DNR grant awards. To better utilize available resources, and reduce duplication of effort, DNR will merge two existing offices into the Office of Realty, Capital and Planning. This organizational restructuring will strengthen DNR’s accountability, increase efficiencies and reduce operational costs. 

DNR prioritized operational and program management efficiencies in fiscal year 2016. The department streamlined its management structure, which saved approximately $800,000 in annual salaries and benefits. The regional office in Alton was closed, creating savings in rent with staff relocated to surrounding parks to deliver license and permit services within the areas." Pg 180 Illinois State Budget

If you're looking for more information regarding exactly where the money is being spent within the Illinois Department of Natural Resources you'll need to scroll down  to page 288 of the Fiscal Year 2017 Illinois State Budget.  The most important thing to remember is that this just a proposal.  Nothing has been approved by the legislature.

Make sure to subscribe to Capitol Outdoors as we break down this years budget and monitor legislation.