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CONSERVATION AND THE 1963 ILLINOIS LEGISLATURE 
As this NEWSLETTER is being written (mid-July) ,many important conservation measures 
enacted by the State Legislature are on Governor Otto Kerner's desk awaiting his 
Signature, It is not certain that the Governor will approve any of them. Thus the 
outcome of much planning and work by our Conservation Committee and affiliated out- 
door groups is still very much in doubt, Here is the news as it stands now ~ per- 
haps by the time you read this issue, the fate of these bills will bo known: 
SB_579 - THE NATURE PRESERVES BILL - passed by a healthy majority, with amendments 
that were said to have overcome all objections. However, two similar bills, both 
with undesirable features, were also passed, One would permit hunting in Tllinois 
State Parks. The other sets up a clumsy and impractical commission system that 
would make it difficult to establish a nature preserve. No one knows which of the 
three bills will be signed, but we are still pulling for SB 579, 
HB 724 - PESTICIDES ADVISORY BOARD. The only one of three measures to pass. Sets 
up a board that will exercise some degree of control over spraying of poisonous 
chemicals on publicly-owned lands and waters. 
SB_S74-577 - Would have imposed a half-cent cigarette tax to build up a conservation 
and recreation fund to purchase additional parks and preserves in Illinois. VETOED 
by Governor Kerner last wock with the lamc excuse that this violated his fiscal pol- 
icies. Our best hope of gaining badly needed Statc Parks in Tllinois Was thereby 
crushed. Perhaps some of you read the scathing lettcr of protest from our President, 
Raymond Mostek, published in the July 12, 1963 "Letters to the Editor" columns of 
the CHICAGC DAILY NEWS, He summarized the issues clearly and forcefully, 
HB_1619 - A surprise bill, passed in the waning moments of the Legislature, would 
permit strip mining in Kickapoo State Park in Vermilion County. The camping and 
picnic grounds would be destroyed and the entrance road eut off. The Conservation 
Committee has been working with Vermilion County Audubon Society and they need your 
help. If this bill has not yet been acted upon, a letter to the Governor would be 
of great value now. 
HB_1543 - THE CONSERVATION DISTRICT BILL. Wou’d supplement and improve upon the 
present Forest Preserve Laws. Similar to the highly successful measure enacted in 
fowa. Again, many outdoor groups are urging the Governor to approve the bill, 
-- Paul H. Lobik, Editor Pro Tem 
VOLUNTEERS RESPOND TO THE CATZL 

We are grateful to the following persons vho have offered to serve as Audubon Vol- 
unteers in response to our recent cell for assistance, They ares Mrs. Hildegarde 
Melzer and Jerry Haubor of Chicego; Dr. George H. Woodruff of Joliet; Miss Jane 
Groves of Williamsville; Mrs, Harry Spitzer and Mrs. Ross Norton of Glenview; 
Miss Edith Adams of Earlville; Mrs. Lconerd titkins of Wilmette; and Mrs. Ann 
Stukalo of Downers Grove. In addition, Mrs. Nina Sutzman of Springfield and 
John Yondorf of Chicago have agreed to serve as Regional Scecretarics,. Volunteers 
are still necded for many other committees. We trust you will respond to an appeal 
which will appear in October, Volunteer work, dues, and donations are the rocks 
On which we will build our castle of conservation in Illinois. 
-~- Raymond Mostek, President 

