Gov. Bruce Rauner's suspension of all park construction grants is a move to chip away at an estimated $1.6 billion budget shortfall. The governor's spokesperson blamed the shortfall on the previous administration. The suspension of park construction grants amounts to only $26 million, which former Gov. Pat Quinn announced in January. Most of the park projects are funded through the state's Open Space Land Acquisition and Development program. The governor is also reportedly looking to use the $175 million collected for the state's energy efficiency program toward the shortfall. The governor has also created a task force to help local governments consolidate and eliminate duplicate governmental bodies to help prevent waste and use taxpayer dollars more efficiently.
Wikipedia.org

In what state park district officials say is an "unprecedented" decision, Gov. Bruce Rauner announced March 11th the indefinitely suspension of state grants for park district construction projects.

The Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD) www.ilparks.org reports it learned that every state grant recipient will receive a letter that announces all state grants indefinitely suspended until further notice. These suspensions include construction projects currently in progress.