PEORIA, IL – State Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth (D-Peoria) advanced a bill through the House of Representatives today that would give Wildlife Prairie Park back to the Friends of Wildlife Prairie Park from the state.

“Wildlife Prairie Park is one of the Central Illinois’ greatest treasures,” said Gordon-Booth. “I am so grateful for the work that the Friends of Wildlife Prairie Park is undertaking to ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy and learn from this unique setting. I look forward to continuing to work and assist the Friends of Wildlife Prairie Park in the future. I also want to thank Representatives Unes and Leitch. This truly was a bipartisan effort and I greatly appreciate their leadership.”

William Rutherford founded Wildlife Prairie Park on 480 acres of land. The land is used for the protection and conservation of natural ecosystems found in Central Illinois. The Friends of Wildlife Prairie Park gave the state of Illinois possession of the park in 2000. After years of budget cuts to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the Friends of Wildlife Prairie Park have offered to take over the maintenance of the park to keep it open to the public

House Bill 1292 requires that the Friends of Wildlife Prairie Park to maintain the education and recreational facilities of the park. If passed, the state of Illinois will transfer the maintenance and management responsibilities to the Friends of Wildlife Prairie Park.

“Wildlife Prairie Park is one of a kind,” said Bill Cirone, board member of Wildlife Prairie Park. “Our board wants to make sure that we preserve an important educational opportunity and tourist destination in Central Illinois. We would like to thank Representative Gordon-Booth for her leadership on this issue.”

The bill now moves to the Senate for further consideration. For more information about this or other upcoming legislation, please contact Rep. Gordon-Booth’s constituent service office at (309) 681-1992 or repjgordon@gmail.com.