 |
Home | Search | Browse | About IPO | Staff | Links |
|
Home | Search | Browse | About IPO | Staff | Links |
|
Illinois Parks & Recreation May/June 1994 • Volume 25, Number 3
Governor Jim Edgar
Addresses 16th Annual Legislative Conference The 16th Annual Legislative Conference of the Illinois Association of Park Districts was held in Springfield on May 4, 1994. Attendees were delighted by an appearance by Governor Jim Edgar, who discussed issues relevant to the field of parks, recreation and conservation. Governor Edgar was introduced by IAPD President Judy Beck. Following are excerpts from the Governor's presentation: "Thank you very much. This is the second opportunity I've had to address you since I've been Governor. We also had an opportunity prior to the election in '90 to speak to you. It's good to be here because you are always very nice. I'm delighted to be here because of what you are about. You are about providing a better quality of life for our people. Now, in this day of limited resources and the need to set priorities, which we believe very strongly in this administration, it's important to recognize that recreation opportunity, the parks, being able to enjoy the outdoors, is an important part of assuring a good quality of life for our citizens. As I have the opportunity to talk with business leaders and other people, we try to encourage them to come to Illinois and create economic opportunity — create jobs. One of the factors in their decision is the quality of life. And what you are about is important in providing our people with that quality of life — that will attract and keep good jobs, as well as make a better place for our people to live. So, I very much appreciate what you are about. I personally am one who enjoys the outdoors. I enjoy very much either walking in the woods with our two golden retrievers — which may not be permitted in some of your parks or at least on a leash — or riding a bicycle. As you know, I've been a strong champion of developing the bicycle trails throughout Illinois. I'm pleased with the role I've been able to play over the years in trying to find ways from the state perspective to help you in funding those bicycle trails. I'm envious of many of you. Living in Springfield, we have no bicycle trails. Those of you in other parts of the state, whenever I get there, if I have some time, I always try to find a few minutes and weather like today to jump on a bicycle and enjoy that. And I commend you for your foresight on those bicycle trails. But I commend you for your willingness to serve on the boards and do this job. I know you get paid a high salary! But you serve a very important function. You provide a very important service. And it's one that I, personally, enjoy, and as Governor of this state appreciate how important it is for the future of this state. I realize we have our limits, just as we have had to realize in state government that we can't be all things to all people. We can't do everything we would like to do. We have to set priorities. We in state government have tried to work with you and to provide some assistance as you set those priorities and provide some of — what you feel and I agree — are some of the very necessary services and opportunities for the people in your districts and in your communities. I've been very pleased. Even during tough times we have been able to see 37 million dollars in the last three years go to park districts throughout this state to allow us to add more than 200 miles of bicycle trails, to preserve over 2500 acres of land, and to help develop an additional 130 parks and recreation sites throughout the state — and the park districts of this state. One of the key components of that has been OSLAD, and we are very pleased that this upcoming budget — I say this upcoming budget because the way things are working in the General Assembly, this might be academic. We might not get anything out of the legislature the way they are going. Hopefully at some point the partisanship may be set aside. But in the budget, what we have asked for is an increase of 33 percent of the grant, which means several more millions of dollars that will be able to go to you in forms of grants. We also recognize, as we try to make sure we provide this recreational opportunity for all our people, there are some districts that have some very severe financial problems. There are some districts in very poor areas of the state. We have asked in the legislature for changes in the law where we will be able to set aside some of the these funds that could go for those poorer districts that have almost an impossible time trying to come up with a 50 percent match. We are hopeful that this will finally emerge 13 * Illinois Parks & Recreation * May/June 1994
after some of the partisan fighting ends. But we think it's
important to make sure that wherever people are in the state,
they have access and opportunity to use the outdoors, to
enjoy it, and not have to go that far.
Now, I'm very pleased that we have been able to supplement your efforts at the state level through the Department
of Conservation. Brent Manning [DOC Director] is here,
and I think we have developed a closer working relationship between the department
and your Association and the
member park districts around
the state. But we also recognize that you can't do it all. The
state has a major responsibility
in providing recreation opportunity to our people and making sure that we do set aside
much of our natural land so
people can enjoy it for generations to come. And I've been
very pleased that, even during
tough times, we have been able
to secure more acreage in this
state. Perhaps the most significant to date has been Site M in
Central Illinois, where we were able to purchase for the
state 15,000 acres that will be developed into recreation
opportunity for our people.
There are also other tracts around the state that we have
been successful in being able to secure and provide more
recreation opportunity. I think the most exciting proposal
at this point, without doubt, is the Joliet arsenal, which will
allow us to set aside 19,000 acres very near the largest metropolitan area of this state and provide
long term recreation opportunity, as well as preserve some natural lands
that if we lose, we will never be able to bring back. And
while there is still a long journey to go, I'm pleased with
the progress that has been made.
Congressman Sangmeister appointed a Citizens Committee of which our Department of Conservation works
closely with. They have approved a proposal that would
allow 19,000 acres of that approximately 23,000 acre Joliet
arsenal to be set aside for recreation and conservation purposes. And we are hopeful that we will be able to convince
the appropriate federal agencies that this is the best use of
that land. And we would appreciate any assistance from
your Association, too, in that endeavor, because we think
it's important that we provide as much opportunity for our
people. We look forward to having that become a reality.
[IAPD President Judy Beck] mentioned in her introduction that one of the things that I committed during the
campaign was to call a conference dealing with parks and
recreation. And one of the first things I did as Governor
was to call a conference, "New Horizons for Conservation,
Parks and Recreation." And from that conference came
many recommendations. One, perhaps of the most significance, was the need for a Conservation Congress to try to bring together people that weren't at this conference that perhaps have some different points of view when it comes
to trying to develop Park and Recreation facilities, to set
aside necessary lands for future generations, and to see if
we could not try to find some common ground so we could
move ahead as a state. The Conservation Congress, as well
as the Land Use and Water Resource Task Force, was put.
together and what you had representation in. From those
gatherings have come, I think,
some very important recommendations of which we have
not only listened, but we have
started to implement.
Perhaps the most important, at this point, is Conservation 2000, in which we have
asked the General Assembly to
provide some financial support
for long-term projects from
now until the end of the century
— which really isn't all that
long away. But it's important
we start now planning for the
next century. We are hopeful
that we will be able to receive
the approval from the General Assembly, though, again I
have to say, at this point it seems to be caught up. There
seems to be some hesitation on the part of the democrats in
the House on allowing the funding for a variety of projects
that we want to get started this year.
But again, I think it's very important that we have that
long-term commitment to do financially some of the things
that we need to do in this state to make sure that our parks
and recreation lands and our natural resources are preserved.
Because, again, if we don't take opportunity and advantages — of the advantages that we have today — if we wait
three or four years, we may not have those opportunities
again. So again, we hope that we will see progress in the
General Assembly when the dust begins to settle. Again
we appreciate your support. We appreciated your input as
we dealt with those issues and other issues.
It's been very important to us to have your input, to
have your comments and to try to work with you. It doesn't
mean we are always going to agree 100 percent of the time,
but we do recognize the important role you play for this
state. We recognize that as we try to solve some problems,
they could create problems for you and to try to resolve
how we can work around those.
A good example is from the property tax cap. I know
there are some problems that has caused you, some technical language in the legislation that I think has caused you
some unnecessary headaches, and I'm hopeful that the
General Assembly will pass the bill that has come out of
the Senate — I think it's in the House now — to allow us to
alleviate that. As I indicated to your leadership, if that bill
gets to my desk I'll sign it
I think we have made progress in the past three years.
14 * Illinois Parks & Recreation * May/June 1994
We look forward to making more progress in the years
ahead. As I indicated, we are asking for a fully funded
OSLAD program this year. We are asking for flexibility to
take care of some of the spatial needs. We will continue to
work with you to try to find ways that we, together, can
provide our constituents with the type of recreation opportunity that they will need, particularly as we move into a
new century.
We also recognize there are new challenges. One of
the real, I think, positive challenges is to make use of technology in all facets of our lives. We are talking about it in
education, it's happened in business, and I think it's true in
parks and recreation.
And again, talking with your leadership, there is a feeling that we need to try to make sure we bring technology to
the recreation field. So one of the things that I will do next
year, if I have the opportunity to continue in this position,
is to call a conference dealing with parks and technology,
statewide, to see if we can't make sure that you are able to
take advantage of the information revolution that is under
way as we are trying to see that happen in education as we
have seen that happen in many other parts of our society.
We also look forward to working with you in the months
and years ahead to try to solve our common concerns and
meet our common challenges.
One of the things that I've enjoyed not only riding on
the bicycle trails, I've enjoyed having the opportunity to be
out in many of your park districts when we have been able
to provide some grants and to see the progress you're making. Again, I think we in Illinois have a lot to be proud of
when it comes to parks and recreation. There are many
areas in this state I think that have recreation opportunity,
have parks that are second to none in this country, particularly in metropolitan areas, where many people, I think,
may feel that there really isn't those types of opportunities.
But particularly in the Chicago metropolitan area, I have
continually been impressed with what you have provided
for the residents of that area. And in other parts of the state
we are beginning to see developments as well.
We hope that in the years ahead, as I mentioned earlier, any area of the state you live in, you might be able to
go ride your bicycle safely, not have to risk the challenges
on a highway, and we hope to see those types of things
continue.
But, none of those things would be possible, none of
those things will be realistic in the future, without the fact
that you are willing to take the time and give of your resources and your efforts to make these realities. And as
Governor, as someone who is full-time in this business, I
particularly appreciate those of you who volunteer your
time, who are willing to put up with grief that occurs. Often I'm sure there are people in your areas that probably
think they know better how the parks ought to be run, or
they know better how you ought to go about coming up
with the money. But I appreciate your willingness to persevere, your willingness to give back to your community
and to your society. And that is really the key to the future
of this state and this nation. And as Governor, I want to
make sure that you recognize we are in a partnership with
you. We want to assist you. We want to work with you.
We want to supplement and compliment what you are doing here at the state level.
So again, I appreciate very much the input you've given
us. I appreciate the time you put in, and I particularly appreciate your leadership, your staff.
[IAPD Executive Director Ted Flickinger] and I have spent many hours together
as we went about distributing money. It was kind of like —
it was kind of fun. I don't do that very often, but that was a
fun day. We very much appreciate that cooperation, and
we hope it can continue in the future. And most importantly, we hope you'll continue to make the efforts that you
have made to make Illinois a better place to live, a place we
are all proud to call our home. Thank you very much.
GOVERNOR EDGAR RESPONDS
TO AUDIENCE QUESTION:
AUDIENCE MEMBER: How do we get Speaker
Madigan to know that you will sign it if it comes to your
desk?
GOVERNOR EDGAR: The Speaker knows that. The
Speaker works in mysterious ways. And I just hope it's not
just too mysterious and there is more work involved. But
again, it's unfortunate what seems to be happening, particularly in the House, with the kind of almost a breakdown
of the process in the democratic — with a little D — process, and we go through this. I hope that the Speaker will
recognize that there are bills that need to be called and that
will be called. And again, I hope on Conservation 2000
that they can set aside partisanship.
I realize in an election year they don't want me to have
anything. I have to say I had reservations about even asking for anything because of the fact that if I asked, usually
that means that they will say no. But I am hopeful that
programs like Conservation 2000 and other issues that I
think are very, very important, that we can see resolved
before the session is over.
IAPD PRESIDENT BECK: Could I remind everyone
that if you received a [grant] check, the Governor is going
to have pictures taken with you, and we need to all gather
outside.
GOVERNOR EDGAR: Well, that's going to make the
ones that didn't get a check — I don't know if you'll be
mad about not getting a picture! Again, let me thank you
very much, and we look forward to continuing to work with
you.
As I said, sometimes people forget just how important
what you are about is to the overall quality of life. Education is important. Safety is important. But this is another
facet that, as we try to solve those problems, we don't ignore this issue. Because we have to make sure that we
have a total environment that's conducive to people wanting to be part of. And again, what you are about, I think is
extremely important. Thank you very much. *
Illinois Parks & Recreation * May/June 1994 * 15 |
|
Sam S. Manivong, Illinois Periodicals Online Coordinator |
