The Progress Illinois blog has a short interview with Illinois Sierra Club Director Jack Darin about making any proposed Illinois capital spending plan greener. He suggests that local governments be ready with green ideas like efficiency projects for both state and federal spending plans.
Environmental groups pushed for the state capital budget to include funding for open lands acquisition last year and they're sure to do the same this year. If the city is willing, this could be Springfield's chance to sell the Hunter Lake property to create a nature preserve and get a boost to city finances.