In Our Opinion . . .

To resolve the insurance crisis, were counting on you

The Illinois General Assembly will reconvene on January 8th. Because this is an even-year session, lawmakers will focus primarily on the budget and on those substantive measures which are considered to be emergencies or vital to the effective operation of State government.

However, included on the General Assembly's 1986 agenda will be proposals to provide relief from the liability insurance crisis we all face. In addition to taking an aggressive posture on these issues, we will be working closely with the insurance industry and other employer groups to monitor legislation which seeks solutions in the private and public sectors.

We will keep you advised about these developments through the IPR magazine. Leisure Review newsletter and special mailings. However, we will also be asking for your help in securing legislative approval for these and other proposals this year.

One of our most effective lobbying tools is the input which you give to your legislators. For us to be successful in the State Capitol, you must do your job back home.

There is no doubt that park, forest preserve and conservation districts have demonstrated a need for legislative action to curb the skyrocketing costs and limited availability of liability insurance. There is no doubt that we need a quick resolution to these problems if we are expected to continue programs and services for our constituents. And there is no doubt that we can be successful if we work together.

We took an important step by making the extent of our problems known to State lawmakers at the Senate Subcommittee on Special Districts' hearing during our State Conference. In addition, we have worked in Springfield to propose corrective legislation.

We must now be ready to take the steps necessary to convince all those involved in the decision-making process about the seriousness of our efforts to seek solutions that will not burden our taxpayers.

Can we count on you?

We certainly agree!

Editor's Note: The following editorial appeared in the Nov. 27, 1985, Free Press edition of the Northwest Herald Newspaper.

The old adage, "Education is the key to tomorrow's future," is a fundamental principle of today's always-changing climate.

Imagine not being able to keep up with current trends in society or new laws or a host of other topics that could be critical to your day-to-day or future existence. Yes — keeping the learning process alive is very important. This is no less important in parks and recreation administration as in other fields of importance to our well-being.

The park district, in order to maintain the highest professional standards available, makes sure that the staff has the opportunity to attend seminars, classes and conferences. These educational opportunities afford the staff the ability to continually upgrade their knowledge of the many components of parks and recreation administration. This would include workshops on budgeting, landscape architecture, the proper use of solar energy, swimming pool maintenance, preventative maintenance and a host of other activities that are critical in today's recreation and parks movement.

The park district is a member of the Illinois Park and Recreation Association and the Illinois Association of Park Districts. These associations are statewide advocates of the parks and recreation movement in Illinois. During the course of a year, many workshops are offered along with services geared to help professionals deal more effectively with issues facing their communities. These offerings are an investment to any community who wants to continue the innovative and responsible management they deserve.

Elective board members are also encouraged to attend seminars which

Continued on page 38

Policy on letters The Illinois Parks and Recreation magazine welcomes letters from its readers. Letters should be written to the editor and they should discuss issues and/or events. They must include the writer's name, address and phone number. It is preferred that letters be limited to two double-spaced typewritten pages in length. The editor reserves the right to edit, condense or reject any letter that does not meet these requirements.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 4 January/February 1986

can help them to develop in several areas. These might include public finance so they can learn to understand the operations of a municipality in terms of budgeting, allocations of dollars and where the money comes from.

Current insurance trends — this may help in defining the problem of insurance liability and policy-making which would help them in the course of developing new policies and procedures to set uniformly to a park district's functioning.

The Dundee Township Park District Board of Commissioners feels that the dollar spent on the short term to send people to these classes or seminars can turn into long-term savings if the ideas presented are sound and can be adapted or implemented to fit the district's needs.

The administration of parks and recreation is an always changing business. Education is the key to staying ahead of the changes that will effect the way we utilize our leisure time. If the staff and commissioners of the Dundee Township Park District can provide a safer, more enjoyable leisure experience for the residents of the community, we have succeeded in our goal of educating ourselves to those methods. If we stop learning today, there won't be a meaningful life for us tomorrow. So, stay in touch with life — be in it!

Illinois Parks and Recreation 38 January/February 1986