State parks fee passed by House

SPRINGFIELD (AP) – A plan to raise money for deteriorating state parks has been approved by the Illinois House.

House members on Thursday night approved the bill that would add a $2 fee on license plates to raise money for the state Department of Natural Resources.

The measure passed 61-56 after narrowly failing earlier in the day. It still needs Senate approval.

Years of budget cuts have left the state Department of Natural Resources with a $750 million backlog in state park maintenance and repairs.

The license plate fee was suggested as an alternative to charging an entrance fee at state parks. A basic annual license plate fee is $99. It was last increased by $20 in 2009 for a public works program.