The head of Jacksonville’s parks and lakes is extremely upset at the state of Illinois.

 Parks and Lakes Superintendent Bruce Surratt says he is very disappointed with the lack of communication from the Illinois Department of Public Health.    

Last month, the IDPH added Lake Jacksonville to the fish consumption advisory list. The notice was posted on the IDPH website in February, but Surratt says he didn’t know about it until last night. He says that is very unprofessional.

According to the IDPH website, largemouth bass over 15 inches in length in the lake contain elevated levels of methylmercury. While the chemical can be dangerous if it builds up in the body, the IDPH says it’s acceptable to eat the fish in moderation, about once every week.  The department says pregnant or nursing women, women of childbearing age, and males under 15 should limit their Lake Jacksonville fish consumption to once per month.

Surratt says the methylmercury levels in fish in Lake Jacksonville are not something they could have stopped. Surratt says Lake Jacksonville has never had a consumption warning before. He says he hopes they can clear it up and get off the list in a year or two.

Lake Jacksonville is one of five bodies of water across the state to be added to the list of more than 40. Surratt says signs may be put up to inform people of the change.

Lake Jacksonville is the only body of water in the four-county area on the list.