Illinois Mixed Bag: Officials meet to discuss Starved Rock State Park

LaSalle, Ill. — A group of area first responders met with State Sen. Sue Rezin, DNR Director Natalie Phelps Finnie, and Starved Rock Site Superintendent Monty Bernadoni to exchange ideas and concerns regarding Starved Rock State Park.

Representatives of DNR’s Illinois Conservation Police and the Starved Rock Lodge also attended.

According to a report by local radio station WLPO, among topics discussed were how best to inform park goers about closed trails in addition to the park, DNR, and lodge websites. The 2,000-acre addition near Jonesville at the intersection of the Illinois and Vermilion rivers may be the site of additional parking, a prospective boat dock and restrooms. This is anticipated in 2026.

Emergency personnel have not been called out to the park as often as they have in past years, officials noted. More staff visibility and better trail markings were given credit for this statistic. More uniform equipment to communicate between organizations was a concern. License plate readers and trail cameras are being considered. Tornado warning sirens and weather notifications within the park were discussed, as well as a grant that could be available to upgrade the park’s preparedness.

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Massive Fish Kill in Plano Under Investigation

Plano, Ill. — Wildlife experts met in late July in far west suburban Plano to figure out what caused a massive fish kill. The fish died in a pond in the Lakewood Springs housing development.

A video shared by Chicago’s ABC channel 7 showed dozens of dead fish floating on the top of the pond.

Plano officials contacted DNR, but no report had been filed as of July 28.. Plano’s mayor said the homeowners association is responsible for clean-up. The HOA, whose property management company is Foster Premier, said it’s investigating. A private lake management company, Solitude Lake Management, also is involved in the investigation, the mayor said.

USA Clay Target League Launches Free Initiative

Eagan, Minn.— The USA Clay Target League recently announced a new initiative to help high schools and colleges across America start clay target teams for their students.

The Free Team Initiative provides new school-approved teams with free registration fees, free safety equipment, and more for up to five athletes. By adding more new teams and student athletes, the league expects to continue to broaden its mission to provide school-sponsored shooting sports to the education community.

Over 54,000 athletes took part in the 2024-25 school year, and the non-profit USA Clay Target League is America’s largest clay target shooting organization. The League offers trap, skeet, sporting clays, and 5-stand leagues to secondary and postsecondary schools across the country.

Man Arrested for Theft at Pere Marquette

Grafton, Ill. — A Quincy man was charged with theft following an incident that occurred in and around Pere Marquette State Park in Grafton.

On July 27, Jersey County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Jeff Klunk was patrolling and spotted Tanner T. Eyler, 28, of Quincy, standing near a pickup that had run off the road. As Klunk made contact with Eyler, Eyler fled into the woods down a steep ravine. After some investigation, it was revealed that the pickup truck, along with a camper, had been stolen from Missouri days prior. In addition, on the evening prior, Eyler fled in the stolen pickup from police in the East Alton area.

Police and DNR Conservation Police Officers searched the area for Eyler. Eventually, Deputy Justin Decker found Eyler sleeping in the pavilion area across the park. Eyler is a convicted felon, and at the time of his arrest, police found a loaded handgun in his pocket.

Eyler is charged with possession of a firearm by a repeat felony offender, unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle, and theft.

Creation of 600-acre Land-Water Reserve Approved

Rock Island, Ill. — The Rock Island City Council approved a resolution on July 28 to advance its commitment to register 600 acres of the Southwest Rock Island Wetlands as a land and water reserve with DNR.

That vote was initially prompted by public outcry over the ongoing development of a cannabis dispensary and gas station across from Bally’s Casino & Hotel at 777 Bally Blvd., Rock Island, and near what is commonly known as Milan Bottoms. In response to environmental concerns and protests about that project, then-Mayor Mike Thoms created the Wetland Task Force in March to explore how best to protect the land.