State parks cuts felt beyond Sauk Valley

While many campers and hikers are mourning the likely loss of prized area state parks, a determined few downstate are trying to organize to fight for their parks to stay open. Last week, the governor's office announced the layoff of 325 state workers resulting in, among other cuts, the closure of 11 state parks, slated for Nov. 1. Those closures include Lowden and Castle Rock state parks in Ogle County and the Hennepin Canal Parkway, which striates through Whiteside, Bureau and Henry counties. The governor's office has defended the move as a means toward eliminating the $1.4 billion deficit in the state's budget. The announcement has spurred residents across Illinois into action, resulting in protests against the closings at Channahon State