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An Exclusive IPR Interview How The Gubernatorial Candidates View Park And Recreation Issues
Interview Questions Question 1: The Land & Water Conservation Fund was developed in 1965 to assist local units of government in the acquisition and capital development of park and recreation areas and facilities. The prime source of income for this fund was not derived from taxes but rather from off-shore oil leases. The concept was to take funds from the depletion of a resource and invest these funds in the protection of other natural resources such as parks and open spaces. The Land & Water Conservation Fund has been one of the most conservative federal programs since local units of government had to pass ordinances to match any federal funds that were used for parks and recreation. As you know, President Reagan, through Secretary of the Interior James Watt, has recommended that funds not be appropriated for the state side Land & Water Conservation Fund. What alternatives do you think park and recreation agencies should pursue to receive some type of assistance from either the state or federal governments?
Question 2: Would you support, as Governor, any of the following sources of state assistance for local park and recreation acquisition or capital development programs?
Question 3: Park, forest preserve and conservation districts are local units of government that do not currently receive any state or federal monies to operate their programs and otherwise serve their communities. Parks and recreation have been identified as being eligible for revenue sharing funds. However, in Illinois revenue sharing funds are not issued to park, forest preserve and conservation districts. We have been attempting to have these districts identified as direct recipients of revenue sharing funds. Senator Alan Dixon and Senator Charles Percy had indicated their interest in assisting us in our effort to obtain a portion of these funds to be used at the local level to improve park and recreation services. As Governor, would you be interested in assisting our efforts in becoming direct recipients of revenue sharing funds? If yes, how would you plan on assisting us? Question 4: In your opinion, what do you think are the major strengths and weaknesses of the Illinois park and recreation agencies, forest preserves and conservations districts? Question 5: Illinois has one of the best park and recreation systems in the country, and many of the local park and recreation agencies have been nationally recognized for excellence in facilities, programs and management. How can we work with you in your role as Governor to promote Illinois as a better place to live and conduct business? Question 6: What are your favorite recreation interests? Adlai E. Stevenson Answer 1: Available funds should be spent as Congress intended. I do not know of other alternatives. Answer 2: The entire tax structure in Illinois should be reviewed before any of these taxes are increased. Additional resources are needed for parks. Priorities and goals must be changed, taxes collected and waste eliminated. In addition to recommending the reform of the tax system, I intend to recommend the reorganization of local government structures to improve efficiency and accountability.
Answer 3: Federal revenue sharing monies are distributed to local general purpose units of government. Federal revenue sharing funds will not be diverted for special units of local government. The Congress has been through this before, and is not likely to reopen the pandora's box, nor should it. Answer 4: Recent fish losses at the Department of Conservation fish hatcheries indicate mismanagement of those hatcheries by the current administration. In the last year the State has lost almost one-half million fish in its hatcheries. Incidents such as these demonstrate that the administration of our hatcheries can be improved. Illinois has a good state supported park system, which has also been a victim of the recession. The state should seek to expand our parks and also improve the preservation of our existing parks. Answer 5: The economic recession will increase the use of state parks. Parks and forms of recreation, in general, are essential to economic development and to improving our living environment. We will require the cooperation of citizens and government to raise adequate revenues to rebuild the highways and improve our state parks.
Answer 6: Living in a farming community, my favorite recreational activities include hunting, fishing, and working on the farm. Biography (Excerpts of unedited biography distributed by Mr. Stevenson's campaign office.) After sixteen years serving the people of Illinois in elective offices, Adiai E. Stevenson returned to the law firm of Mayer, Brown and Platt on January 2,1981. He maintains of- (cont.on.p.8) Illinois Parks and Recreation 6 September/October 1982 (cont.from.p.6) fices in Chicago and Washington, D.C. Since returning to the practice of law, he has lectured, taught, operated a farm and continued efforts to enhance the competitiveness of Illinois and the U.S. in the markets of the world. Stevenson, 51 years old last October 10, graduated from Harvard College in 1952. Following service as a tank platoon commander with the Marine Corps in Korea, Stevenson graduated from the Harvard Law School (1957) and clerked for Justice Walter Schaefer of the Illinois Supreme Court. In 1958 he joined Mayer, Brown and Platt. In the 1964 at-large election for the Illinois House of Representatives, he led all 236 candidates. His tireless and creative efforts in the Illinois House earned him the "Best Legisiator" award of the Independent Voters of Illinois. In 1966 he was elected State Treasurer. He made that office a national model, tripling earnings on state funds and keeping those funds at work in Illinois. Stevenson was elected to the United States Senate by large margins in 1970 (57%) and 1974 (63%). In the Senate he warned of a coming energy crisis and, as chairman of the Subcommittee on Oil and Gas Production, began many of the efforts to formulate energy policy for the country. As chairman of a Select Committee, Stevenson led a major reorganization of the Senate in 1976-77. He served on the Senate Intelligence Committee and as chairman of its Subcommittee on the Collection and Production of Intelligence. He served as the first chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Ethics. He was also a member of the Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation and the Democratic Policy Committee. Stevenson is married to the former Nancy L. Anderson of Louisville. They have four children: Adlai, Lucy, Katie and Warwick. The Stevensons own and operate a farm in Hanover, Illinois (Jo Daviess County) which is their residence. They now also maintain an apartment in Chicago. Illinois Parks and Recreation 8 September/October 1982 James R. Thompson As Governor, I am working in cooperation with Illinois Conservation Director David Kenney to make these views known in Washington. While advocating support for LAWCON, I also recommend much greater attention to the local development of outdoor recreation facilities with volunteer assistance. We have an outstanding example in Illinois in the Gordon Moore Park at Alton. There substantial volunteer contributions have been added to LAWCON and other funding in a manner which could be utilized by local units of government throughout the state. The Illinois Department of Conservation and the Governor's Office of Citizen Voluntary Participation stands ready to assist local governments in establishing volunteer programs and in applying for federal grants. Answer 1: I am fully aware of the importance of the Land and Water Conservation Fund to Illinois and its local units of government since 1965. It has brought many millions of dollars to our state for the acquisition and development of outdoor recreation facilities. The concept of using proceeds from the depletion of a natural resource toward the establishment of resources which can continue indefinitely to be available to us is a sound one. The necessity for at least 50% of all costs in each project to be funded locally or by the state has the effect of doubling the impact of the program so far as the federal funding is concerned. I am pleased that during my administration over 80% of all Illinois LAWCON funding has gone to local units of government.
I feel strongly that a continuation of the state part of the LAWCON program is important in the general scheme of providing valuable outdoor recreational opportunities. In these troubled economic times, I would be pleased to see a share of the amount which President Reagan has recommended for the LAWCON program go to the states. The program built up within the states over the past 16 years is too valuable to be abandoned. At this time, I believe a minimal program within the President's recommended budget could serve to keep the state program alive until such time as greater federal funding might be available. In the meantime, I suggest that supporters of the program contact their local Congressman to request the renewed funding for the program. Answer 2: In general, I do not favor the earmarking of a general state taxation for special uses. Earmarking Illinois Parks and Recreation 7 September/October 1982 of general revenues reduces the flexibility which the prior General Assembly can employ in meeting urgent public needs. However, it is possible that the concept of the LAWCON program might be employed in regard to a state severance tax on the extraction of natural resources. In past sessions the legislature has shown an interest in considering a severance tax and I have maintained an open mind about it since Illinois is one of the few states not to have such a tax. I recommend that persons interested in new funding sources work closely with their legislators to build the broad support which such arrangements would require. Although I do not see widespread support for any new taxes at this time, I would like to point out, that as Governor, I have signed legislation allowing park districts more flexibility in using their existing financial resources. This includes increases in the allowable levies for various park district functions and for expanding the ability of districts to use working cash funds. As Governor I would certainly be willing to give careful consideration to additional changes in the law which would allow park districts more flexibility in using their existing financial resources. ". . . The services provided by park districts are often the most visible, tangible kind that people see and can appreciate the most."
Answer 3: As Governor I have consistently supported federal revenue sharing monies since they provide a "no strings attached" program which directs federal money to cities, counties and townships. Those general purpose governments have been able to use those funds as they see fit and have often spent them for parks and recreational purposes. I would certainly be willing to lend my support to efforts that Senators Percy and Dixon might attempt in Congress which would direct federal dollars for park and recreation purposes. I must, however, point out that changing the current distribution practices for revenue funds would not be a simple matter. Park, forest and conservation districts are only three of about two dozen special purpose units of government in Illinois (i.e., sanitary districts, airport districts, etc.), and if there were an attempt to make the parks direct recipients of revenue sharing funds, I am sure the other districts would also want to become direct recipients. Also, in the past, such attempts have been opposed by the cities and counties since their share would be reduced. Nevertheless. I would be willing to work with the White House for a revenue sharing plan that our senators and other members of the Illinois Congressional delegation could support. Answer 4: The major strengths of Illinois' park and recreation agencies are basically three in number: diversity; visibility; and tradition. First of all, for a "special unit of government" park districts provide a variety of services. Those services allow citizens to fully enjoy recreational and leisure activities, and they help people appreciate our natural heritage and resources as well as preserve them for future generations. Moreover, the services provided by park districts are often the most visible, tangible kind that people see and can appreciate the most. Finally, the over 350 park, forest and conservation districts have a strong tradition in Illinois of providing cost effective services. This tradition has been reflected in Springfield by the districts having a well organized and effective association representing and protecting their interests. Concerning the question of weakness, I believe people often don't take an interest in local government, so park districts, like all other units of local government, sometimes find it difficult to overcome voter apathy. Another problem or possible weakness is the area of financing. Like other local units, park districts are seeing a narrowing gap between services provided and available revenues and reliance on the property tax isn't always the best way to raise money. Answer 5: Local park and recrea- Illinois Parks and Recreation 8 September/October 1982 tion agencies can best work with me in promoting Illinois as a better place to live and work literally by "doing their own thing" effectively. By providing the best of outdoor recreation opportunities and educating the public fully to their value, you can best contribute to my program fully convinced of the great values in outdoor recreation, the preservation of natural areas, and the protection of endangered species. I appreciate your help and find it most valuable when it is directed toward the ends of making recreational opportunities available with both quantitative and qualitative merit and of developing the kind of grassroots public support which will allow these programs to be continued. A good example of such a cooperative exchange of support is that with the proposed creation of the Illinois and Michigan National Heritage Corridor. In this project local citizens, private organizations, local governments, the state government and the federal government are all combining efforts to revitalize a canal which was once very important to the State. Answer 6: My favorite recreational interests are playing racquetball and golf; jogging in the park; boating, searching for antiques, playing with my daughter, Samantha; and playing with my dogs. In addition to these activities, I am a real football and baseball fan and enjoy attending games. Biography (Excerpts of unedited biography distributed by Mr. Thompson's campaign office.) James R. Thompson was re-elected as the 39th Governor of Illinois in 1978 by a 596,550-vote margin, a record for an incumbent, carrying 92 of the state's 102 counties. Following his election in 1976, Jim Thompson balanced the state budget with no new taxes in each of the next three years, a reversal of three years of deficit spending by his predecessor. In the first year of his second term, Governor Thompson's accomplishments included: Development and legislative approval of the state's first long-range transportation program, totaling $7.7 billion across four years in road and mass transit developments. Holding state spending growth to a rate below inflation for the third consecutive year. Stabilization of the size of state government's work force. Implementation of more than $300 million in financial benefits to the State as recommended by the Governor's Cost Control Task Force. Reorganization of duplicative state agencies to boost efficiency and improve government's responsiveness to the public, highlighted by the reshaping of three overlapping agencies into a cabinet-level Department of Human Rights assigned an enlarged role in fighting discrimination in housing, employment, financial credit and public accommodations. Jim Thompson was born May 8, 1936. He was raised on the West Side of Chicago, the eldest of four children. On June 19, 1976, Jim Thompson married his former student and law clerk, Jayne Ann Carr, of Oak Park. (cont. on p.48)
Illinois Parks and Recreation 9 September/October 1982 (cont. from p.48) They have one daughter, Samantha Jayne, born August 3,1978. Following his undergraduate training at the University of Illinois, Chicago, and Washington University, St. Louis, he entered Northwestern University Law School where he was awarded his law degree in 1959. From 1959 to 1964, he served as a prosecutor in the Cook County State's Attorney's Office where he argued more than 200 cases before the Illinois Supreme Court. In 1969, Illinois Attorney General William J. Scott appointed Jim Thompson as Chief of the Department of Law Enforcement and Public Protection, a position he held until he was named First Assistant United States Attorney in June, 1970. He was appointed United States Attorney on November 29, 1971. Illinois Parks and Recreation 48 September/October 1982 |
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