IDNR Announces Award of Snowmobile Trail Grant Funding
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) today announced $118,500 in grant funding that will allow for the operation and maintenance of snowmobile trails in the state through the Illinois Snowmobile Trail Establishment Fund (STEF).
STEF grant funds are being awarded to the Illinois Association of Snowmobile Clubs (IASC) in the amount of $118,500 for snowmobile trail insurance, purchase of a new snowmobile trail groomer, and snowmobile trail maintenance.
The STEF program provides financial aid to eligible private snowmobile clubs/organizations in Illinois (as noted in Section 3020.10 of the Illinois Administrative Code) for the purpose of assisting them in the construction, maintenance, and rehabilitation of snowmobile trails and facilities on public lands, designated roadways, or private land opened to such use. Funds for the grant program come from a portion of snowmobile registration fees col
Updated 2/21/2021 9:57 AM
The volunteers walk through the grass in November, putting signs on the trails with the intention of directing snowmobile traffic. Every year when we re marking the trails, we say, I hope this is the year! I hope this is the year! says Don Schaefer, a 59-year-old Ingleside resident and secretary of the Sno-Kommanders of Lake County. Well, this is the year.
We are experiencing the snowiest February since 2011. Last year, the biggest snow we had was on Halloween, and I swear it never snowed again, snowmobiler John Saigh, 61, of Gurnee, says of the 2019-20 winter, which saw measurable snowfall in October and April, but very little in February. There are a lot of years, I shake my head and wonder if it s worth it.