http://www.reviewatlas.com/sports/x222992444/Campers-surprised-by-fee-hikes

Campers surprised by fee hikes

June 20, 2008

Daily Review Atlas

Campers arriving at state sites last Friday were treated to an unwelcome surprise. Unbeknownst to many, camping fees had increased without much fanfare. Sites with electrical service cost $5 more. And there's a new $10 fee for premium weekends. If you missed that news you were not alone. Site staff at the Department of Natural Resources' 74 campgrounds were not officially informed of the increases until late last week, either.
   
Some of that was due to bad timing. On May 20 a legislative committee voted 5-3 to approve Gov.. Blagojevich's proposal for a camping fee hike. Three days later people started arriving at state sites for one of the season's biggest camping weekends. Some blame also falls on DNR. The agency's lone public notice of the change was on its Web site (www.dnr.state.il.us). Normally a decision of this magnitude would prompt a press release. Not in this case. Hmm, seems almost like someone decided to squelch the news. "I would not assign motive to what can otherwise be explained by gross incompetence," said Rep. David Leitch, R-Peoria, uttering what to this point is quote of the year regarding the DNR. Leitch and Sen.. Dan Rutherford, R-Chenoa voted against the camping fee increases.
   
Naturally, word eventually got out. Once it did, many unhappy campers griped after learning the cost for sites offering electrical service had doubled to $10. They were even less happy to learn DNR is now charging a $10 "premium fee" for Memorial Day, the Fourth of July weekend (July 2-4) and for Labor Day (Aug. 30-31 and Sept. 1). Leitch said he received calls from several angry constituents.    
   
Fortunately, campers with reservations for last weekend and those who checked in last Thursday did not have to pay the premium fee. Not so in the future. Letters are being sent to campers with reservations to inform them of the changes. "They will have an option to cancel their reservation if they choose and to get their money back," said Chris McCloud, DNR spokesperson.
   
Some may seriously consider that option. For campers visiting one of the state's handful of Class AA sites, a prime holiday weekend will now cost $35 per site. That's nearly double the cost prior to this change. "We realize it's unpopular but necessary for IDNR to recuperate some of the $900,000 it loses annually to provide electricity and water for the campgrounds," said Paris Ervin, the other DNR spokesperson. "Without the increase we simply cannot provide the same services to our campers that we have in the past due to rising utility costs."
   
This is the second camping increase under King Blago's reign. The last increase was a $4 bump from $11 to $15 and to $20 at premium sites.