CHICAGO — Today, Governor JB Pritzker announced the departure of Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Director Natalie Phelps Finnie. Having overseen a period of growth and reinvestment in the agency, Finnie will depart at the end of the month.

“Director Finnie has led the Illinois Department of Natural Resources with a vision for the state that prioritizes people by protecting and preserving spaces that are rich in history, opportunity, and beauty,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Her tenure will serve as a guiding example for new leadership, as it brought more visitors to our state parks, new life to our historical sites, and revitalization to our ports and commercial hubs.”

Finnie, of Hardin County in southern Illinois, was appointed director on Jan. 23, 2023. Prior to that, she served as deputy director of the agency since August 2021. During her tenure as director, the Pritzker Administration ensured IDNR experienced stable budgets and reinvestment in the agency, allowing it to dramatically increase boots-on-the-ground staffing at state parks for the first time in two decades. In addition, increased staffing and resources in IDNR’s fiscal, grants, and auditing offices have helped the agency improve transparency, accountability, and efficiency on behalf of taxpayers and the sportsmen and sportswomen who help fund IDNR’s conservation work.

During her tenure, Finnie launched impactful new programs and initiatives. She created the “Everyone Belongs in Nature” campaign to reinforce that outdoor spaces are for everyone—no matter where they live or their background. She also opened Illinois’ first state‑owned off‑highway vehicle trails at the Sahara Woods State Recreation Area in Saline County and expanded sustainability efforts by installing electric vehicle charging stations at state parks.

“Serving as director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources has been the honor of a lifetime. I think Americans understand today, perhaps more than ever, the importance of protecting and conserving precious natural resources and outdoor spaces for future generations,” said Natalie Finnie. “Because of Governor Pritzker’s leadership and the support of the General Assembly, IDNR has been provided the stability and resources we’d long needed to reset and refocus on our mission. I want to personally thank Governor Pritzker for the trust he placed in me to lead these efforts.”

Renee Snow will serve as IDNR’s Interim Director beginning on July 1. She has worked at the Department since 2014, most recently serving as General Counsel. In that capacity, she has led several major initiatives, including Brandon Road, the Shabbona land transfer with the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, and the innovative Pullman P3 project.

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