Politics
Illinois Launches New Endowment Fund for State Parks as Feds Disinvest in Natural Areas
Starved Rock State Park. (Nicola Patterson / iStock)
On Wednesday, Governor JB Pritzker announced the creation of a new endowment for Illinois state parks, with the intention of providing a permanent source of funds that can’t be redirected or taken away.
“From our wooded trails and caverns to our beaches and mighty rivers, our state parks are a great source of pride for Illinoisans — and these spaces must be protected,” Pritzker said in a statement.
The Illinois State Park Fund will be housed under the Illinois Conservation Foundation, which is the official charitable partner of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR).
IDNR manages 309 state parks and recreational sites on more than 475,000 acres of land, plus 56 historic sites.
The oldest state park in the system is Fort Massac, situated at the extreme southern tip of the state, overlooking the Ohio River.
The launch of the endowment is in response to decreases in federal funding for U.S. National Parks and concerns about the privatization of certain assets in these parks or the approval of previously prohibited commercial/industrial activity.
“Access to nature is a right, not a privilege. Our parks are essential to the physical, emotional and economic health of our communities,” said Natalie Finnie, director of IDNR. “This endowment reflects Illinois’ commitment to making public lands truly public, for everyone, now and in the future.”
All contributions to the endowment fund will be considered restricted and used exclusively to benefit Illinois state parks in the form of park infrastructure, accessibility projects, conservation and programming, according to the Illinois Conservation Foundation.
Earlier in 2025, the state announced $60 million in funding for improvement projects at five state parks and historic sites. That followed a $70 million investment in a shoreline stabilization project at Illinois Beach State Park.
In 2024, more than 41 million people visited Illinois state parks and historic sites, the highest number in 15 years, according to state officials. Starved Rock and Illinois Beach State Park each welcomed more than 2 million people.
Contact Patty Wetli: [email protected]
