Photo: olmstedsociety.org

Stephanie Gresham

Staff Writer

 

On Monday, March 26, a bill passed in the Illinois House allowing state parks to charge admission to visitors.  The bill will require all visitors to pay annual fees for vehicle stickers for park entry, as well as daily admission fees for pedestrians or drivers without annual passes.

 

The new bill was sponsored by Republican Representative JoAnn Osmond in response to heavy cutbacks in recent years.  Osmond said the money is needed for upkeep at the parks.

 

According to the legislation, all revenue will be committed to the state park fund or to the fish and wildlife fund.  The Chicago Tribune reported that Governor Pat Quinn supports the proposal and is expected to sign the bill into law.