As a result of the cuts to the Department of National Resources announced by the governor's office yesterday, 11 state parks will close on November 1 and 39 of the agency's employees will lose their jobs.  Today, Illinois Sierra Club director Jack Darin responded:

Illinois Democrats may be hugging out in Denver, but back home on Thursday 39 IDNR employees were notified that they'll be out of a job November 1st as a result of budget cuts announced by Governor Blagojevich in July. [...]

These layoffs and closings would be totally unnecessary if our leaders in Springfield would get together on a budget solution. There is still time - but the Governor's action Thursday started the clock ticking.

We need the General Assembly and the Governor to act before the end of September to restore the cuts, keep these parks open, and keep those who run them and look out for our natural resources on the job.

(H/T Archpundit)