Illinois is broke.
Social service spending, pension obligations and profligate spending across the board under the Democrat leadership of Illinois General Assembly the past decade plus has left Illinois broke.
The “budget” proposed for this coming year is four billion dollars out of whack.
Illinois new Republican governor seems to be holding firm on demanding painful cuts to cut that budget deficit and one of those proposals is to shut down the Illinois Department of Natural Resources World Shooting Complex in Sparta, Illinois come September 1.
Built for about $50 million in the mid-2000s in actual construction costs plus infrastructure improvements, it was touted to be the nicest shooting facility in the nation. It’s nice, no doubt. 1,600 acres, with almost 750 campsites, 120 trap fields and a monstrous 34,000 square foot events center.
Its proponents touted that it would be a money making venture for the state, to the tune of $50 million or more in economic development, annually.
It has not turned a profit since it was built, much less bringing in $50M+ annually to the state. This year it was slated to be $3.4 million in the red, up from $3.3 million in 2012.
It hasn’t even boosted local sales tax revenue. In fact, local sales tax revenue has declined since the facility was built and today are at 2002 levels if you consider inflation.
Shooters react to proposed closure of World Shooting Complex
SPARTA, IL (KFVS) – The latest series of budget cuts announced by Illinois governor Bruce Rauner would suspend operations of the World Shooting Complex in Sparta Illinois.
The governor’s announcement consisted of more than $420 million in statewide cuts, which includes the suspension of all operations at the 1,600 acre complex, effective September 1st 2015.
The governor originally proposed a budget earlier in 2015 which was highly controversial due to what cuts included which were widely regarded as ‘severe’.
In response, a new budget has moved through the house and senate, but the administration claims that one leaves the state at a $4 billion deficit..
We would urge the governor and legislature to revisit this proposed closure and find money to keep this facility open, or to privatize the facility. At the same time, we understand that the state is broke and state cuts in spending will affect us all in one way or another.
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