State Official Resigns After Going Fishing On Sick Leave

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- A top administrator at the Illinois Department of Natural Resources has resigned because the agency says he violated rules by participating in professional fishing tournaments while on sick leave last summer.

But 42-year-old Travis Loyd of Kinmundy in southern Illinois says his doctor ordered him to seek a stress-free zone to control a chronic illness that threatened his life. Loyd says IDNR is well aware of his pro fishing career. He has listed it as a source of income on his last three annual economic-interest statements.

Chris McCloud is a spokesman for IDNR. He says Loyd resigned from his $92,000 job for violating rules of the federal Family and Medical Leave Act. He would not comment further.

Loyd says it was for violating a clause about seeking outside employment.