IDNR Chief Says Sparta Will Reopen

The head of the IDNR met with the ATA leaders and said that they want to make some changes in the way the WSC is managed. So while he said it will close on Sept. 30 it will reopen as soon as the new budget is in place. I guess he's been given assurance by the Governor that everything will be OK. Until the new budget is in place I'm not sure how he would know everything will be OK. Usually, once a place closes it gets a little more difficult to bring it back as it was.

 

That meeting was held today and the editor of the Randolph county Journal was invited to sit in. The next edition will be this Thursday.

 

I guess we will have to wait and see!!

 

Who cares? It's still under threat. The ATA needs a contingency plan, right now. Contact all the Tier 1 sites I noted, and find one willing to step up an act as an alternate site by holding two weeks open. Let the shooters know as soon as possible there's a Plan B in place, if needed.

If you don't need to use the other site, you praise them widely for their willingness to act as an alternate.

Without a Plan B, you're in a horrible negotiating position with the State of Illinois.

I think lots of folks just inherited land, money or connections from Daddy, because I see so much lack of common sense from people who are in positions where they ought to know better.

 

You know, just because you don't know all the details of what is going on, doesn't mean those in charge don't know what they are doing, or don't have a plan B. Not to mention, just because the IDNR may see cuts, doesn't mean the trapshooting complex will be affected.

 

duffkjs06, If WE do not know everything that is going on with OUR organization who's fault is that. Leaders that won't share this information with the membership? Sounds like they don't know or too lazy to plan ahead, just wait and see attitude then act. 357 is right they need to set the wheels in motion and let us know what is going on with OUR organization.

 

The same thing happened with Meig's Field many years ago, once it closed it never reopened and got bull dozed ... Hope the WSRC does not meet the same fate, but you never know, you know ... I think part of the landing strip is still there .... WPT ... (YAC) ...

 

Is there a plan B at Sparta for a Golf Course, by the IDNR for State Officials

 

In a republic form of governing, the voters vote for others to make their decision for them. Do you know every intricacy of the US gov't, run the same way? They made their statement, they are probably not allowed to offer any more information at this time. This is nothing more than politics as usual, stop trying to read more into it then there is. How come no one is worried about the 500 other line items threatened with cuts?

 

duffkjs06,
I don't live in Illinois anymore. I do have adult kids there. I do know they have already cut funding for thee state fire cadet school that is held in the late spring. My son and grand son had to pay double of what they paid last year, but the welfare program is fully funded. Furthermore the ATA is not as big as the US government so transparency is expected as business is small compared to the U.S.

 

My oh my, It will be interesting to read what the reporter for the Randolf County Journal reports on the meeting in this Thursday's edition, maybe some facts that would be encouraging will be presented in the meantime we can speculate and gaze into our chrystal ball and tell each other what we see hopefully the news will be good for the ATA.

 

Since when does a sport with responsible educated affluent members need to rely on the corruption of Chicago politics to survive? Not at the Cardinal Center. Not in my state. Not in PA. Not out of my tax dollars.

With that logic plan B would be to make lovey with the politicians of NY.

 

The entire idea behind a Plan B is to let the other side in a deal know you have one. Rauner is covering himself on the backside by keeping the ATA on the line in case he doesn't close the WSRC and needs a tenant. The ATA needs to have and announce a contingency plan if only to get better terms from Rauner.

 

Who is going to stop the Vandalism while it is closed to traps, Bldgs, Etc?

 

Why,are you going to Sparta?

 

Aren't you concerned about the condition and safety of your association's equipment?

 

If Sparta is closed has the State of Illinois stopped the lease agreements for the HOF and the ATA?

If so does there have to be a new lease drawn up?

 

I wonder if the head of the IDNR knows he works for the State (Governors Office) of Illinois ..? Never step on the toes of a person who's azz you might have to kiss someday ... WPT ... (YAC) ...

Sucking up is good, so shut up and enjoy the free ride ...

 

What was reported in the Thursday story?

 

We are being told that Sparta will reopen after it's closed. That begs the question as to why must it close at all.

 

So Governor Rauner is sending out layoff notices while simultaneously planning to keep it open?

 

Those pink slips were just in case.

 

I searched the States site again, nothing for sure either way other than the WSRC is going to close until there is an approved budget ... There was a signed petition (by Jerry Costillo (sp)) delivered to the Governor's Office (?) with almost 7,000 signatures on it, they say they wanted 10,000 so it obviously got circulated around town 3 times and the cemetary a couple of times ... WPT ... (YAC) ...

 

NEWS FROM IL-REP JERRY COSTELLO II


This week, Senate Bill 836 was signed into law. The new law updates Illinois’s concealed carry to make it easier for gun owners to purchase ammunition and transport firearms with just their concealed carry permit, rather than both their concealed carry permit and their FOID card. The law also makes a number of other changes, such as allowing out-of-state participants and attendees at shooting events held at the World Shooting and Recreational Complex to purchase long guns and ammunition.
I am still fighting to keep the World Shooting and Recreational Complex open. The petition I started after Gov. Rauner announced plans to close the complex has received over 7,000 signatures. I want to get 10,000 signatures total to bring directly to the governor to show him that shooters and non-shooters alike from across the state and country support this complex and the $22 million annual economic impact it has on Southern Illinois.
Please sign and share this petition so that together we can keep the World Shooting and Recreational Complex open for business. The petition can be found here...

All the news, all the time ... WPT ... (YAC) ...

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 12, 2015



Administration Initiates Additional Management Steps to Prepare for Madigan-Cullerton Budget


Steps to Save Additional $420 Million
Cancel Funding for Legislative Earmarks
Freeze Non-Transportation Capital Projects

Contact
Catherine Kelly
Catherine.Kelly@illinois.gov



House Speaker Mike Madigan, Senate President John Cullerton and their caucuses two weeks ago finished passing a budget with a $4 billion hole.

Since that time, Speaker Madigan and President Cullerton have refused to pass real, compromise reforms that will grow the economy, pay down the debt and end the era of wasteful spending and broken budgets while implementing parliamentary maneuvers to keep the governor from acting on the budget bills.

In preparation for the possibility of having no budget on July 1, or a budget with a $4 billion hole, the Administration is initiating its second round of steps to responsibly manage the state’s finances. However, the options available to the Administration remain limited because the Madigan-Cullerton budget includes no reforms.

“Governor Rauner has compromised repeatedly, but Speaker Madigan and the politicians he controls continue to block any real reform,” Rauner spokesman Lance Trover said. “It’s deeply troubling to see that Speaker Madigan remains committed to sacrificing the middle class in order to protect the political class.”

More steps will be announced as they are finalized.

Statewide

Action Initiated

• Notify all State of Illinois vendors to prepare for the potential of a longer delay in receiving payments for goods and services provided to the State.

Effective July 1, 2015

• Suspend capital projects, including construction at state facilities, schools and colleges.
• Suspend all capital grants for legislators’ earmarks and non-bonded or “pay as you go” capital projects.
• This freeze does not include road and other Department of Transportation projects.
• Significantly reduce use of outside legal counsel by eliminating and/or reducing legal contracts.

Department of Healthcare and Family Services

Action Initiated

• Reinstate timely re-determinations of Medicaid eligibility.
• Roll back rates for ambulance services and renal care services to SMART-Act levels.
• Reduce managed care capitation rates.
• Discontinue special Medicaid payments to some hospitals.
• Increase eligibility threshold (Determination of Need Score) to a level more consistent with national eligibility levels.
• Achieve cost savings using new procurement strategy for purchasing durable medical equipment.

Department of Natural Resources

Effective September 1, 2015

• Suspend operations at the World Shooting Recreational Complex (WSRC) near Sparta. The site will become closed to the public and not available for events.
  • All events scheduled through August 2015, including the Grand American, will not be impacted by this action.

Department of Agriculture

Effective July 1, 2015

• Suspend funding to county fairs for premiums and fairground rehabilitation projects.
• Suspend funding for agricultural extension and 4-H clubs for premiums at agricultural shows.
• Suspend funding for premiums for Agricultural Education Fairs.
• Suspend funding for the University of Illinois Cooperative Extension Service.
• Suspend funding to the Soil and Water Conservation Districts.

Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority

Effective July 1, 2015

• Suspend funding to Choose Chicago for tourism promotion.

Department of State Police

Effective July 1, 2015

• Suspend FY16 initiative to purchase new forensic equipment.

Office of State Fire Marshal

Effective July 1, 2015

• Suspend funding for the Chicago Fire Department training program.
• Suspend reimbursements for fire department training to other local governments.
• Suspend funding for small fire-fighting and ambulance equipment grants.

Criminal Justice Information Authority

Effective July 1, 2015

• Suspend the following legislative earmarks:
  • YouthBuild grants;
  • Bullying Prevention grants;
  • Franklin County Methamphetamine Pilot Program; and
  • South Suburban Major Crimes Taskforce.
• Suspend statewide funding for Operation CeaseFire.
• Suspend funding for Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention grants.

Department of Human Services

Effective July 1, 2015

• Suspend funding for Community Services for juvenile delinquency program serving youth and young adults administered by the Chicago Area Project.
• Suspend funding for Immigrant Integration Services. Access to the Department’s programs will continue through local offices.
• Suspend funding for Welcoming Centers. Access to the Department’s programs will continue through local offices.
• Suspend funding for the Youth Employment legislative earmark.

Department of Public Health

Effective July 1, 2015

• Suspend funding for Brothers and Sisters United Against HIV.
• Suspend funding to the Tobacco Quitline.

Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity

Effective July 1, 2015

• Reduce funding for state-funded job training programs and suspend funding to legislative earmarks for job training. This does not impact the Department’s federal job training funds.
• Suspend funding for all coal programs at the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, including discontinuing subsidies to coal companies.
• Suspend funding for the Renewable Energy Program. This does not impact the Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standards program.
• Suspend funding for the Energy Efficiency Program.

Department of Transportation

Effective July 1, 2015

• Reduce funding for Amtrak.
• Suspend state add-on payment to PACE.
• Suspend state subsidy for Regional Transportation Authority Reduced Fares grant.

Department of Revenue

Effective July 1, 2015

• Reduce funding for the following housing programs administered by the Illinois Housing Development Authority:
  • Multifamily Finance Program;
  • Reduce Homebuyer Acquisition Rehabilitation Program; and
  • Reduce Homeowner Emergency Repair Program.

Department of Veteran’s Affairs

Effective July 1, 2015

• Delay opening of Chicago Veterans’ Home.

The more they look the worse it looks ... All the news , all the time ... WPT ... (YAC) ...

 

?

 

What became of the governor's helicoptor trip to the Grand? Must have been suspended also.

 

Zealot, Didn't hear about that one, probably had no fuel in the thing and couldn't make it ... (Just a guess) ... There was a broadcast on one of the Chgo news channels the Governor planned on doing a fly over (didn't mention Helicopter ) but with all of the planes around that HUB in Sparta, he may not of made it ... You might want to research it, think he was WGN, I was told about it do not even watch their news anymore, been gone from there for over 20 years ... ... WPT ... (YAC) ...

 

He could have taken a hot air balloon. I know of at least one official, that if invited, could have helped keep it aloft.