Taste Chicago

* Les Winkler at the Southern Illinoisan says the Illinois Department of Natural Resources needs Governor-elect JB Pritzker’s attention…

Finally, the primary reason the IDNR is still afloat is the amazingly dedicated staff you are inheriting. Site superintendents are burning wood in their offices and maintenance buildings to save on fuel costs. They’ve become savants at saving dimes and nickels.

Granted, the ongoing financial issues complicate running the state, but at some point Illinois is going to have to re-staff the DNR.

When boiled down to its simplest level, man’s role on this planet isn’t that complicated.

Wildlife and fisheries biologists are covering five or six counties. They cannot be effective when they are spread that thin. Conservation police officers each cover several counties. When you consider they are working in some of the most remote places in the state, it’s easy to see their job is nearly impossible.

And, the site superintendents …

Some of these dedicated public servants are administering 10 to 12 sites. That’s beyond ridiculous — it’s irresponsible. Some state parks in our region don’t have a single full-time employee.

IDNR has been steadily hollowed out since Gov. Rod Blagojevich took office. It’s the most extreme example of what’s been happening just about everywhere else in state government.