SPRINGFIELD - The Blagojevich administration Tuesday continued to say little publicly about how it plans to deal with cuts to the state budget.

Two weeks after the governor slashed $1.4 billion from the state's spending plan, officials have yet to outline how the move will affect the operation of state parks, historic sites and other state government services.

A spokesman for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources summed up the administration's response to questions about what will happen in the coming days and weeks.

"We are still working to analyze how the reductions will affect agency operations at this point," department communications chief Chris McCloud wrote in an e-mail Tuesday.

McCloud also was asked Tuesday if the agency is considering closing state parks. His response: "Couldn't say at this point."

A similar lack of detail is coming out of other agencies that were hit by the governor's budget ax. The Illinois Historic Preservation Agency acknowledges some sites might be closed for lack of funding but is not saying when or where it might happen.

One reason for the lack of information may be tied to employee labor contracts. Many of the jobs that could be cut because of the drop in funding are unionized and, therefore, subject to a 30-day layoff notice.

That means it could be another month before a clear picture begins to emerge on the effect of the cuts.

"It will be a while before we know," said David Blanchette, spokesman for the historic preservation agency.

Environmental advocates highlighted the cuts Tuesday during news conferences around the state, saying the $14 million reduction at the agency will force the layoff of 163 workers.

The layoffs would come at a time when the Department of Natural Resources already has lost nearly a quarter of its staff from budget cuts and hiring freezes since 2001, when former Gov. George Ryan was in office.

The union representing conservation police officers says further cuts to its force will result in unsafe parks.

Currently, there are 133 conservation officers, down from 170 in 2000. The union predicts the cuts could slash another 10 to 12 officers from the force.

"The dangerous lack of (police) presence leaves our public lands, timber, fish and wildlife virtually unprotected," noted a statement from the Policemen's Benevolent Labor Committee.

Cutting the number of conservation police officers could boost poaching of deer and other animals, as well as increase the number of violations of laws protecting sensitive natural areas.

"These major cuts would be a devastating blow to the people we count on to protect Illinois' natural heritage," said Cecily Smith of Prairie Rivers Network.

Kurt Erickson can be reached at kurt.erickson@lee.net or 789-0865.