We Are a Stronger Illinois When We Maintain Parks and Natural Areas

Despite the widespread health and economic benefits state parks provide, funding for them dropped by 70% over the past decade.

Fees directed toward parks in 2012 allowed them to begin fixing the damage done by years of neglect, but dilapidated facilities, leak-ing roofs, and overgrown trails have only just begun to be repaired.

Unless lawmakers act now, the average funding required to operate 8-11 parks could disappear. New cuts would under-mine efforts to improve the maintenance and appearance of parks, which could also harm local economic activity.

Parks and recreation are natural drivers of health — both for our families and our economy.

Because of state parks and wildlife refuges, over 44 million visitors a year engage in outdoor activities like hiking, biking, hunting, and camping.

Children who go to parks relieve stress through outdoor recreation, have better fitness and health, better concentration, and better school per-formance.

Lawmakers have a choice. They can take the responsible

path and provide the resources our state needs to fund

parks and natural areas for a stronger Illinois.

“When I go out into nature,

I am so much healthier and

happier. Having parks that

are well-kept and healthy is

something really important

to me.”

-Lorena, Outdoor Enthusiast

Parks and recreation contribute $3.2 billion dollars to the state economy and make Illinois a more desirable place to live — an important factor for business location decisions.