The joke is on the taxpayers and they aren’t laughing.
Now, don’t get me wrong — my family greatly enjoys the many recreational opportunities in IL parks (etc.) And, some are overcrowded in peak times. But, IL also has large parks near urban areas that go nearly deserted at the same times: Few people even know they exist. Yet in the same areas even more facilities are added and areas opened — all at a time when IL is broke.
If incoming Gov. Rauner has any sense at all, he’ll can this 26 million expenditure, but might want to consider a 2.6 million expenditure in making people actually aware of the parks and other areas that go virtually unused. The State would probably come out ahead on camping fees alone.
Then, there’s also this baloney (raiding of dedicated funds):
http://www.ilforestry.org/page-1021440?