A group of Republican women serving in the Illinois House of Representatives have sent a letter on Tuesday to Governor JB Pritzker and Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Director Colleen Callahan requesting the Governor re-open State Parks and trails closed since the March 20 Stay at Home Order went into effect in the state.
Rep. Tony McCombie, State Representative in the 71st District in Northwest Illinois, spearheaded the letter to the Governor and Director. “We have heard regularly from constituents across the state asking when they will be able to get back into our State Parks and trails as part of their physical, mental, and emotional wellness routines. We believe opening the State Parks and trails, with proper social distancing in place, will improve the overall wellness of Illinois.”
Calling our State Parks and trails the “original destinations for Illinoisans to social distance, exercise and engage in recreational opportunities that improve their wellbeing,” the female legislators are hopeful their plea will not fall on deaf ears in the Governor’s office.
The House members cited that State Conservation Police Officers are on duty to protect Park and trail safety, and the letter went on to suggest, “since Illinois’ was the nation’s first State Park system to fully close, we are certain the leadership can also be the first to re-open with proper social distancing guidelines put in place and executed effectively.”
State parks and trails in several surrounding states have not been off limits during their states’ Stay Home Orders, allowing their residents to enjoy preserved natural resources while still abiding by proper social distancing guidelines. A copy of the letter can be found at repmccombie.com/state-parks-letter-04-13-20/.