Janeen Burkholder/Journal Rep. Bill Mitchell, left, met with area residents Friday at Weldon Springs State Recreation Area’s Veterans Point after a long list of state park closings was released. Weldon Springs was on the list to close effective Nov. 1. Historical sites were also on the list.

CLINTON—The city and county will be sending out “SOS” messages as Save Our Springs signs protesting the closure of Weldon Springs begin sprouting in yards and businesses, and just about anywhere else a message can be placed.

A “Genesis” meeting began to form on Labor Day, two days after Rep. Bill Mitchell called a news conference on Friday. The group, organized by the Weldon Springs Foundation, began planning a public rally, a multi-media presentation, and a lobbying effort to try to prevent the closure.

Members of the committee included Marian Brisard, acting director of the Clinton Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Foundation board of directors along with John Baker, president of the board, and Carolyn Jameson; Mayor Ed Wollet and Judy Wollet, Ruth Stauffer, director of the Dewitt County Development Council, Camille Redman who works for the Secretary of State, and Karissa West, president of the Chamber board of directors. It also included representatives from four area media, who will provide information to the public as soon as it’s available.

The news that Weldon Springs would be one of many state parks and historic sites to be closed effective Nov. 1 broke late Thursday afternoon and spread like prairie fire. Rep. Bill Mitchell called a news conference Friday morning that turned out more than 100 area residents and public officials—all armed with petitions to circulate—to protest.

The closures are being forced by Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s slashing

$2.8 million out of the Department of Natural Resources budget and includes Moraine View State Park near Leroy.

“A budget should reflect the priorities of the people who elected us to make their lives better,” Blagojevich said at the time of the cuts. “That’s why I’m removing almost $500 million in special pet projects and other spending that we simply can’t afford.  And at the same time, we’re preparing new rules and administrative changes that will give half-a-million Illinoisans access to healthcare. 250,000 women in Illinois will be able to get screened and treated for breast and cervical cancer.

“These changes improve the budget that lawmakers sent me.  But there’s more to be done.  I look forward to working with them on a capital bill to provide funding for mass transit, and aging infrastructure like roads and bridges,” said Blagojevich. 

State Sen. Bill Brady (R-Bloomington) issued a news release Thursday: “Truly, none of this makes any sense. This governor continues to try and expand Medicaid programs, but slashes funding for the Department of Children and Family Services and the Department of Human Services.

“He is balancing his bloated budget on the backs of some of our most vulnerable citizens. And tourism and recreation are important revenue-generating businesses in Illinois. With rising gas prices, people are staying closer to home and visiting our historic sites and utilizing our parks. This governor is cutting off his nose to spite his face. Shuttering these sites will mean a significant loss of tax revenues.”

The meeting Friday was held at Veterans Point, a privately funded memorial that people no longer will have access to if the park closes.

“It’s good to see that the people of Central Illinois support this park,” Mitchell told the crowd. “So give yourself a big hand because we’re going to keep it open,” he vowed.

“This is a hub for economic development within DeWitt County, so it’s very important,” he said, noting the closure will cost area jobs and be environmentally damaging. “This is a great state park. I remember coming here as a kid some 40 years ago.”

He noted a couple of statistics: the average attendance at

Weldon Springs is 375,000 people generating $82,000 in camping revenue for DeWitt County. The park also has been featured in Family Circle and Midwest Living magazines as a model state park.

In addition to lost jobs and access to Veterans Point, Mitchell said, school children won’t be able to take advantage of the park’s educational programs, and Boondock’s restaurant will be forced to close.

“This is a major economic draw for DeWitt County,” he said.

“We need to keep state parks open for all the people of Illinois.” With the high price of gas, he said, “People cannot take long vacations. What they can and want to do is to do local, go camping, visit our local state parks.”

The petitions being circulated express support for a supplemental budget bill (HB6687) Mitchell has filed that will keep DNR at the same funding level.

“This governor and this General Assembly are absolutely destroying our state parks, and we have a fine state park system here in Illinois. We’re going to say: “Enough is enough. Stop it. Stop it, Governor. Stop it.”





What you can do

• Plan to attend a public rally

A public rally will be held—tentatively—Sunday, Sept. 7 or Sunday, Sept. 14, at Clinton High School. Certain time, date and place details will be available in Friday’s Journal. The rally will include speakers, but also be an opportunity to sign petitions and write letters and postcards.

• Circulate and sign a petition:

You do not have to be a registered voter to sign the petitions being circulated, as they only are advisory to state officials. Petitions are available at the Clinton Chamber of Commerce.

• Post a sign

Yard signs will be available soon and will be distributed at central points to be announced. Be sure to place them in your yard: It violates city code to place them in the area between the sidewalk and the street.

• Got a great photo?

The Chamber is collecting digital photos of family activities at Weldon Springs for a Power Point presentation. Send them ASAP to: info@clintonilchamber.com

• Join the Foundation and contribute

Join the Weldon Springs Foundation ($10/individual, $20/family, $35 business). Send your contact information to the Weldon Springs Foundation Inc., P.O. Box 323, Clinton, IL. 61727 along with any additional contribution you would like to make to the cause. Details: info@weldonsprings.org

• Join the Genesis Group

The next meeting of the planning group will be at 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Chamber office on Mr. Lincoln’s Square. All who can help are welcome.