Close with Unresolved Issues
Park districts fare well in the '97 Spring Session
PETER M. MURPHY
IAPD General Counsel
STATEHOUSE INSIDER
ISSUES & INSIGHTS FROM THE LEGAL / LEGISLATIVE SCENE
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Legislature Winds to Close with Unresolved Issues Park districts fare well in the '97 Spring Session |
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THE WORKLOAD OF the Illinois General Assembly this year was formidable with more than 2,289 House bills and 1,186 Senate bills introduced.
Of the House bills introduced, 1,070 were considered on the floor of the House with an unprecedented outpouring of bills from committee. On the Senate side of the aisle, 600 bills were sent to the House. Of these, the house gave final consideration to little more than 250.
Major issues remain on the table at the end of session with differing proposals and solutions being offered to electrical utility deregulation and the General Assembly's favorite topicstate funding for education. At this writing it is an open question whether revenue growth will be used to fund the educational needs of school districts and raise poorer districts to minimum funding levels or a more aggressive approach will be used with an income tax increase and a corresponding trade off in property tax relief.
Issues affecting park districts fared well this year. Senate Bill 476 on the IAPD Legislative Platform overwhelmingly passed in the Senate and the House. This legislation extends the hours that a fourteen- or fifteen-year-old can work from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. during the school year and from 9 p.m. until 10 p.m. during summer vacation.
Legislation that hamstrings the ability of park districts to issue alternate revenue bonds was sidelined. Also held was legislation that transfers the responsibilities of the Chicago Park District to the Department of Natural Resources and a bill requiring a lower voter threshold prior to submitting a referendum to a vote.
Legislation exempting the SRA tax from the Property Tax Extension Limitation Act (SB81/ HB 847) met a similar fate in the House when the sponsor failed to call it for a vote in committee.
In further action, the General Assembly overwhelmingly approved limitations on local government tort immunity when it passed legislation providing that a local public entity is liable for an injury caused by a failure to supervise activity on or the use of any public property in the cases of wilful and wanton negligence. This knee-jerk reaction by the General Assembly to an Illinois park district drowning case will have widespread ramifications for all units of local government in the state.
On the fast track was legislation eliminating the nonpartisan elections in November of odd numbered years (HB652/SB200). This election for school districts, community colleges, fire protection districts, and others, will be combined with the park district and forest preserve elections held in April of odd numbered years, if Governor Edgar signs the bill. The measure's purpose is to save costs of an election with traditionally low voter turnout. The side effect for park districts and forest preserves the elimination of a potential referenda date for bonds and tax increases, required by the Property Tax Extension Limitation Act. In fact, his bill creates an 11-month waiting period between referenda.
Legislation creating the Property Rights Preservation Law and bills imposing limitations on Land/ Cash Donation Ordinances statewide were heard this year, but did not pass both Houses.
All in all the legislative year was a positive one for park districts and forest preserves and the participation of our members in the legislative process was critical to our success.
We commend those who attended the Legislative Conference and legislative breakfasts held earlier this year, and those who involved legislators in local district activities.
BILL WATCH
Adult Entertainment
HB 1883 (BLACK,
CROSS)
Amends the Counties
Code and the Illinois
Municipal Code to
prohibit the operation of
an adult entertainment
facility on Sunday and
the location of an adult
entertainment facility
within 1,000 feel of any
school, public park, and
place of religious
worship. Preempts home
rule.
5-1 3-97 Calendar order
of concurrence
l2 / Illinois Parks and Recreation
ISSUES AND INSIGHTS FROM THE LEGAL / LEGISLATIVE SCENE
Amusement lax
HB 2116 (BIGGINS,
CAPPARELLI, SAVIANO,
BUGIELSKI)
Amends the Counties
Code, Preempts a home
rule unit's authority to
impose or collect a tax
on an amusement
occurring on publicly
owned property or a tax
on persons who attend or
participate in on
amusement held on
publicly owned property.
3-21-97 Assigned to
House Rules Committee
Back-door Referenda
SB 373
(RAUSCHENBERGER,
KLEMM, LUECHTEFELD,
FITZGERALD)
Standardizes provisions
concerning publication or
posting of ordinances
and resolutions and Filing
of petitions with respect
to back-door referenda.
Requires that petitions be
signed by voters equal in
number to 5% of the total
number of voters in the
specified territory who
voted at the last
preceding general
election at which electors
of the President and Vice-
President of the United
States were elected.
SENATE AMENDMENT
NO. 1. Adds reference
to: 51LCS 220/3.1
4-24-97 Referred to House
Rules Committee
Bidding
HB2085 (SCULLY)
Creates the Second
Lowest Bidders'
Protection Act. Provides
that the second lowest
bidder on a public works
project and any person
that entered into a
contract with the second
lowest bidder who suffers
damages as a result of
the rejection of a bid for
the public works project
because the successful
bidder violated certain
labor Acts may bring an
action for damages
against the violator,
subject to specified
restrictions.
4-25-97 Assigned to House
Rules Committee
Bonding Authority
HB 2110 (SKINNER)
Amends the Local
Government Debt Reform
Act and the Property Tax
Extension Limitation Law
in the Property Tax Code.
Provides that upon the
Filing of a petition signed
by at least 5% of the
registered voters in a
taxing district subject to
the Law, a referendum
shall be held on the
question of whether to
continue to allow the
taxing district (i) to issue
"limited" bonds and (ii)
to exclude the extensions
mode for the payment of
principal and interest of
"limited" bonds and
"double-barreled" bonds
in the "aggregate
extension" of the taxing
district may no longer
issue "limited" bonds or
exclude the special
extensions in that taxing
district made for
payments of principal
and interest of "limited"
bonds and "double-
barreled" bonds from the
"aggregate extension".
3-21-97 Assigned to
House Rules Committee
Chicago Pension Code
HB 12 (CAPPARELLI,
BUGIELSKI, BURKE)
Amends the Chicago Park
District Article of the
Pension Code. Accelerates the automatic annual
increase for persons with
at least 30 years of
service who retire on or
after January 1, 1 993.
Amends the State
Mandates Act to require
implementation without
reimbursement. Effective
immediately.
3-2 1-97 Assigned to
House Rules Committee
Child Labor Law
SB 476 (FAWELL,
BUTLER)
Amends the Child Labor
Law. Provides 14-or 15-
year-olds in a program
organized and supervised by a pork district
with a population of less
than 500,000 may work
to 9 p.m. (now 7 p.m.)
during the school year
and to 1 0 p.m. (now 9
p.m.) during summer
vacation. Adds permitting
minors over 1 4 to work
at premises where
alcohol may be served if
employed by park
districts.
5-15-97 Held on 2nd
reading in House - Short
debate
Daylight Savings Time
HB 584 (PANKAU)
Amends the Time
Standardization Act.
Eliminates daylight
savings time. Effective
immediately.
3-21-97 Assigned to
House Rules Committee
Drug-free Warkplace
HB 2034 (MCGUIRE,
ACKERMAN. KLINGLER)
Creates the Drug-Free
Workplace Program Act.
Authorizes employers to
implement drug-free
workplace programs in
accordance with
specified requirements
pertaining to drug
testing, notice to
employees, specimen
collection, confidentiality,
and other matters.
Provides that an
employer who implements a drug-free
workplace program is
eligible for a 5% discount
in workers' compensation
insurance premiums and
may terminate an
employee who has drugs
or alcohol in his or her
system.
4-8-97 Assigned to
House Rules Committee
Elections
HB652 (BOLAND)
Amends the Election
Code, the Public
Community College Act
and the Fire Protection
District Act to abolish the
nonpartisan election held
on the first Tuesday after
the first Monday in
November of odd-
numbered years.
Transfers elections of
officers held at the
nonpartisan election to
the consolidated election
held on the first Tuesday
in April of odd-numbered
years. Provides for the
terms of incumbents
elected before the
nonpartisan election is
abolished to expire one
month after the election
of their successors.
Effective immediately.
5-16-97 Passed in Senate
SB 200
(RAUSCHENBERGER,
LINK, WINTERS)
Amends the Election
Code, the Public
Community College Act
and the Fire Protection
District Act to abolish the
nonpartison election held
on the First Tuesday after
the first Monday in
November of odd numbered years.
Transfers elections of
officers held at the
nonpartisan election to
the consolidated election
held on the First Tuesday
in April of odd-numbered
years. Effective immediately.
5-15-97 Passed on calendar
order 3rd reading - House
short debate
Employment
HB 1063 (PHELPS.
O'BRIEN)
Amends the Illinois Public
Labor Relations Act.
Provides that the Act
shall not apply to units of
local government
employing less than 5
employees (now 35).
Effective July 1, 1997.
4-25-97 Assigned to How
Rules Committee
IMRF
SB 665 (MAITLAND
(MURPHY, S. JONES))
Amends the Illinois
Municipal Retirement
Fund (IMRF) Article of
the Pension Code. Allows
members to receive up to
24 months of credit for
military service not
preceded by employment
upon payment of the
corresponding employee
and employer contributions; requires employer
approval. Authorizes the
Fund to offer deferred
compensation and tax deferred annuity
programs to its members.
5-14-97 Passed House - 3rd
reading - snort debate
Interest in Contracts
SB 594 (BUTLER,
CRONIN, KLEMM
(CLAYTON))
Amends the Public
Officer Prohibited
Activities Act and the
Illinois Municipal Code.
Provides that a municipal
officer is not deemed
interested in a company if
the officer is an employee of or owns or
holds an interest of 1%
or less, or both, in the
officer's individual name
in a company that is
involved in the transaction of business with the
municipality and that
company's stock is
traded on a nationally
recognized securities
market. Provides that any
person serving on a
municipal advisory panel
or commission or
nongoverning board or
commission is not
prohibited (now is
prohibited) from having
an interest in the
transaction of business
with the municipality
unless that person's
duties include evaluating,
recommending, approving, or voting to
recommend or approve
the business.
5-15-97 Passed both
Houses
Land Donations
SB 929
(RAUSCHENBERGER,
DELEO (HOEFT))
Creates the Builder and
Developer Land
Valuation Act. Amends
the Counties Code and
the Illinois Municipal
Code. Provides that land
donations required by a
county or municipality as
a condition of residential
subdivision, resubdivision, or development
shall be based upon an
ordinance that specifies
the population expected
to be generated by
residential development,
and the value of an acre
March / April 1997/ 13
STATEHOUSE INSIDER
of land improved with subdivision improvements for cash contributions instead of the conveyance of land. Sets forth the requirements that the ordinances must meet. Sets out a value determination an acre of land improved with subdivision improvements for cash contributions instead of the conveyance of land. Preempts home rule. 5-8-97 Assigned to House Rules Committee
Local Government
Advisory Board
SB 607 (BUTLER,
MAHAR, DONAHUE,
COLLIIMS (BURKE))
Provides that the
Comptroller shall
establish and maintain a
registry of all units of
local government.
Effective immediately.
5-13-97 Held on House
Calendar - 2nd reading
Short debate
Motor Fuel lax
SB 82 (SYVERSON)
Amends the Motor Fuel
Tax. Deletes provision
requiring a road district
to levy a tax at a rate of
not less than 08% or, in
DuPage County, an
amount equal to or
greater than $12,000
per mile of road, against
the taxable property in
the road district For road
and bridge purposes in
order to receive any
allocation of moneys
under the Act.
3-15-97 Assigned to
Senate Rules Committee
Municipal Code
HB 254 (PARKE)
Amends the Illinois
Municipal Code. Allows a
municipality that has
imposed a telecommunications tax and whose
territory includes part of
another unit of local
government or school
district to exempt the unit
of local government or
school district from the
tax. 3-21-97 Assigned to
House Rules Committee
Museum Education
Fund
HB 1114 (ERWIN)
Create the Museum
Educational Programs
Fund.Changes the
wagering tax from a flat
tax on adjusted gross
receipts to a graduated
tax on those adjusted
gross receipts. Provides
that 1 % of the monies
raised under the waging
tax shall be transferred
to the Museums Educational Programs Fund for
use by the State Board of
Education.
4-19-97 House Calendar
Third Reading -
Short Debate -
Lost
Nonprofit Reimbursement
HB 1751 (ERWIN,
WINKEL, BIGGERT)
Amends the School Code
and the Board of Higher
Education Act. Authorizes the State Board of
Education and the Board
of Higher Education to
reimburse not-for-profit
arts organizations and
cultural institutions for
the costs of providing
educational programs to
students.
5-15-97 Passed both
Houses
Open Meetings Act
HB543 (DEERING)
Amends the Open
Meetings Act. Provides
that when a public body
has 5 or Fewer members,
any 2 members may meet
to discuss legislative,
executive, or administrative responsibilities
without violating the
provisions of the Act.
3-2 1-97 Assigned to
House Rules
Committee
Payroll Deduction
HB2217(LEITCH,J.
CURRY, SCHOENBERG)
Amends the Government
Salary Withholding Act.
Permits local governments to select the
charitable organizations
that may participate in
the payroll deduction
fund-raising campaign,
rather than using the
United Fund and those
deemed qualified by the
State Comptroller.
Specifies criteria for
selection.
4-25-97 Assigned to
House Rules
Committee
Property Tax
SB 81 (O'MALLEY,
KUBIK)
Amends the Property Tax
Extension Limitation Law
in the Property Tax Code.
In the definition of
"aggregate extension"
For taxing districts that
were not subject to the
Law before the 1995
levy year (except those
taxing districts subject to
the Law by referendum)
excludes extensions
made to fund the
district's expenses to
provide recreational
programs tor the
handicapped under the
Park District Code.
Effective immediately.
5-8-97 Assigned to
House Rules
Committee
River Conservancy
SB 255 (REA)
Amends the River
Conservancy Districts Act
to require the publication
of an ordinance to issue
bonds or dissolve a
district to include a
description of the
district's boundaries.
Requires the petition to
submit an ordinance to
referendum to be signed
by 5% or more of the
district's voters who
voted at the last
preceding general
election at which electors
of the President and Vice-
President of the United
States were elected (now
1 0% or more of the
registered voters in the
conservancy district).
5-13-97 Held in House
on 2nd reading-
Short debate
School Impact Fee
HB 1313 (LINDNER)
Creates the School Land
Dedication and School
Facility Impact Fee Act.
Provides for the
imposition by municipalities and counties of
school land dedication
ordinances or school
facility impact fee
ordinances or both when
new development creates
a need or on identifiable
portion of a need for new
school grounds or
facilities.
4-25-97 Assigned to
House Rules
Committee
Tort lmmunity
HB374 (KRAUSE)
Amends the Local
Governmental and
Governmental Employees
Tort Immunity Act. Makes
numerous changes
regarding the scope and
nature of immunities and
liability under the Act.
Also makes changes in
language authorizing
local public entities to
obtain insurance or self
insurance and authorizing a tax levy to pay for
insurance and other
expenses. Effective
immediately.
3-21.97 Assigned to
House Rules
Committee
HB 1151 (BRADFORD)
Amends the Local
Governmental and
Governmental Employees
Tort Immunity Act.
Amends language
providing that neither a
local public entity nor a
public employee is liable
for an injury caused by a
failure to supervise an
activity on or the use of
any public property.
Creates on exception in
the case of willful and
wanton conduct of a
local public entity or
public employee that
proximately causes the
injury. HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 1 Deletes the
provisions of existing law
regarding swimming
pools. Deletes language
providing that the
exemption from liability
for injuries caused by a
failure to supervise an
activity on public
properly are subject to
any exception elsewhere
in the Act.
5-13-97 Placed on Senate
Calendar -2nd reading
Truth In taxation
HB571 (DART)
Amends the Property Tax
Code. Revises the
purposes Section of the
Truth in Taxation Law in
the Property Tax Code to
require taxing districts to
hold public hearings on
their intention to adopt
an aggregate levy and to
publish their intentions to
adopt an aggregate levy
in amounts more than 5%
or the percentage
increase in the Consumer
Price Index, whichever is
less, over the amount of
property taxes extended
or estimated to be
extended, including any
amount abated by the
taxing district prior to
such extension, upon the
final aggregate levy of
ordinances. Amends the
State Mandates Act to
require implementation
without reimbursement.
Effective January 1,
1998.
5-10-97 Assigned to
Senate Rules Committee
Wildlife Prairie Foundation
HB 1628(LEITCH,M.J.
MADIGAN. SLONE, M.
SMITH)
Creates the Illinois
Wildlife Prairie Museum
Act and the Illinois
Wildlife Prairie Foundation. Provides that the
Foundation shall seek the
guidance of and consult
with the Board of the
Illinois State Museum on
all matters. Provides
$10,000,000 from the
General Revenue Fund
(or the Foundation.
5-9-97 Placed on
Senate Calendar -
3rd reading
Working Cash Fund
HB 1187(HUGHES)
Amends the Park District
Code. Makes a technical
change in the section
concerning the Working
Cash Fund.
3-21-97 Assigned to
House Rules
Committee
Workplace Safety
HB2083 (MCGUIRE)
Creates the Workplace
Safety Committee Act.
Provides that each public
and private employer of
at least 50 employees
shall establish a safety
committee at each of the
employer's primary
places of employment.
Provides for: composition, meetings, records,
and training of committees; and duties of
committees relating to
hazard assessment and
control, safety and health
planning, developing
procedures for accident
investigations, and other
specified matters.
3-21-97 Assigned to
House Rules Committee
14 / Illinois Parks and Recreation
NEWS & INSIGHTS FROM THE LEGAL/LEGISLATIVE SCENE
OSLAD GRANTS
Gov. Jim Edgar announced $12.2 million in grants to create and improve parks lands and preserve natural areas throughout Illinois.
In total, 81 projects in communities of all sizes will be funded. One-third of the projects serve communities with less than 10,000 residents. Fourteen are acquisition and 67 are development projects. The grant money comes from state Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSIAD) funds, and $50,000 in federal Land and Water Conservation Funds (LWCF).
Thirteen of the development projects will create new parks; 34 will provide new playground equipment to meet updated safety and access standards. The grants add or improve more than 900 local park acres.
DNR officials received 135 applications requesting $19 million in grant funds.
More than $58 million has been awarded for local park projects since the OSLAD Program was initiated in 1986.
Since its formation in 1965, LWCF has provided nearly $134 million for state and local park projects in Illinois. Maximum grant awards are $400,000 for acquisition projects and $200,000 for developmental projects.
Following is a list of 1997 OSLAD and LWCF grant recipients.
Addison Park District
$200,000 to renovate Centennial Park with a new totally accessible playground, basketball and tennis courts, landscaping, additional parking and fishing pier.
Boone County Conservation District
$85,000 to acquire 77 acres of land along both sides of the Kishwaukee River, to create a preservation and recreation corridor.
Carol Stream Park District / Village of Carol Stream
$200,000 to develop a 20-acre site with five soccer fields, a community playground, shelter and warming house with restrooms, winter sports activities, roller hockey court, basketball, interpretive areas, sand volleyball and a key extension of the community bike trail system.
Chicago Park District
$50,000 to acquire two vacant lots north of Anderson Playground for park expansion and development. This is a cooperative effort between the Chicago Board of Education and the Chicago Park District to create a school-park campus by combining adjoining Anderson
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TIPS FOR MEETING WITH YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS The following ups were written for communicating with Senators and representatives, but they are helpful guidelines to remember when you are meeting with anyone you hope to persuade or inform. Present your case. Explain what you want your legislator to do and why. Give examples of the impact proposed legislation will have on your home state or district. If you don't know the answer to a question, offer to find out and send information back to the office. Make yourself available as a resource person. Don't expect members of the state legislature to be specialists; their schedule and work load make them generalists who are open, we hope, to listening. Don't confront, threaten, pressure, or beg. Keep control of the visit. Don't be put off by smoke screens or long- winded answers. Your appointment time is limited. Don't make promises you can't deliver.
To find addresses for your legislators' district and Capitol offices, use the 1997- 1998 Legislative Directory, published for IAPD and IPRA members. Contact IAPD to receive a free copy. |
May / June 1997/ 15
STATEHOUSE INSIDER
Playground, Phillips High School and Mayo Elementary School properties.
Chicago Park District
$200,000 to develop Chicago Origins Park, a 2-acre site on Ashland Avenue at the Chicago River near the communities of Bridgeport and Pilsen. The park will interpret the 1 9th century layout of the Illinois & Michigan Canal.
Cook County Foresst Preserve District
$200,000 to initiate development at Bremen Grove Preserve with a picnic shelter, paved parking for 1 20 cars and a paved bicycle trail connection from the proposed parking area to the existing 1 8-mile Tinley Creek Bicycle Trail system.
Fox Valley Park District
$50,000 for the outdoor development of McCullough Park with a senior game area, an accessible playground, canoe landing, fishing station and a shelter. (LWCF project).
Frankfort Park District
$200,000 to develop a 50-acre tract of land for use as an outdoor sports complex and community park consisting of a softball field, baseball field, soccer fields and parking area.
Frankfort Square Park District
$200,000 to establish 35 acres of park land to be designated Union Creek Community Park. Improvements will include a multi-use path, a pedestrian bridge, picnic pavilion, rest room and storage facility, picnic tables, grills, six recreational ball fields, outdoor ice rink, two sand volleyball courts, two soccer fields, signage and trees.
Freeport Park District
$77,500 to rehabilitate four playground sites. The new equipment will meet current safety and accessibility standards.
Geneva Park District
$200,000 to develop Phase I of Peck Farm Park with nature center components consisting of more than 1 mile of interpretive trails with signage and habitat restoration, five outdoor "classrooms," picnic area and overlook tower, conversion of existing farm structures into an interpretive facility, parking lot and entrance drive and wetland hydrology restoration. Development will also include community recreation components of two soccer Fields, a playground, roller hockey, and warming house for skating and cross-country skiing.
Hanover Park Park District
$200,000 to assist with the construction of the Seafari Springs Aquatic Center, a 1 1,235-square-foot pool with a zero depth edge, water play features and support mechanical facilities on a 6.5-acre site.
Highland Park Park District
$200,000 to construct a pool facility to include a zero depth pool / plunge pool, six-lane lap pool, children's spray play pool and bathhouse. The city of Highland Park will pay for pool construction and the park district will provide the land for this cooperative project.
Hoffman Estates Park Dirtrict
$200,000 to further develop the 26-acre Kelley Park with new recreational elements consisting of a tennis court, jogging and walking path, sand volleyball court, lighted ice skating rink, an all weather shelter with rest rooms and a crosscountry ski trail.
Kane County Forest Preserve District
$387,500, to purchase 90.53 acres of woodland swamp adjacent to the Illinois Prairie Path in Aurora. The area is the home to more than 1 30 woodland, wetland, and prairie plant species.
Kankakee Valley Park Dirtrict
$82,500 to restore Washington Park in Kankakee by overlaying the basketball and tennis courts, establishing a roller blade hockey area, a bermed area for ice skating, landscaping, fencing and installing new playground equipment with accessible surfacing.
Lake County Forest Preserve District
$200,000 to construct 1.02 miles of trails from Grand Avenue to Washington Street in the village of Gurnee, as port of the Lake County Forest Preserve's 33-mile Des Plaines River Trail.
Macomb Park District
$99,400 to continue prairie restoration with associated trails, day use areas, observation areas and platforms at Lakeview Nature Area. Also included is the design and construction of a combination nature and a visitors center and three shelters for picnic and small program uses.
Macon County Conservation District
$105,200 to further develop about 4 acres of the 1,300 acre Rock Springs Center west of Decatur. Development includes construction of a playground, an interpretive shelter with exhibits and restrooms, sidewalks and landscaping.
Metamora Park District
$200,000 to assist in the redevelopment of a 2- acre facility involving main pool rehabilitation, a new kiddie pool, instructional pool, pavilion, picnic tables, playground equipment, sand and sod volleyball courts and parking lot reconstruction.
Morton Grove Park District
$200,000 to redevelop the 7-acre National Park to provide diverse recreation components known as the "Middle Ground" for young teens. This multi-age play environment will be further complemented by baseball fields, middle goal basketball and roller hockey court, soccer field renovation, shelter and picnic and day camp area, a trail for fitness walking and in-line skating, landscaping, trail lighting and tennis court repair.
North Berwyn Park District
$200,000 to develop 2.9 acres of Berwyn Gardens, a former elevated railroad train stop, to provide active and passive recreation opportunities, including a paved 0.3-mile walking trail, safety fencing at cross streets, lawn volleyball, children's play area and tot lot, an ornamental garden with seating and a pergola structure, gazebo shelter, drinking Fountain, sunken plaza area, skateboard bowl, roller blade court, benches, picnic tables and landscape plantings.
Oak Park Park District
$200,000 to redevelop 1 3.9-acre Lindberg Park with an educational arboretum, tennis courts and the installation of an irrigation and drainage system for the multi-use play Fields. Improvements also include the construction of restrooms, storage areas and the installation of a playground.
Peoria Park District
$ 1 80,000 to acquire 24 acres to serve emerging neighborhoods on the far north side of the district, providing the only neighborhood park within a 3-mile radius.
Quincy Park Dirtrict
$200,000 to expand facilities at the 135-acre South Park. New development will include public walkway and rest room facilities, picnic shelters and areas, playground apparatus and additional public parking. Improvements will include horseshoe courts, pond fishing, rest room accessibility, selective park road resurfacing and curb repair, turf renovation, signage and tennis court renovation.
River Trails Park Dirtrict
$200,000 to correct site flooding problems and for the development of playgrounds, shelter with exercise interpretive signs, walking path, tennis, roller hockey, basketball, ice skating, soccer, rest rooms, two ballfields, and a picnic area. One feature of the park is the "Play Fit" exercise signage which it an outdoor work out concept for children and adults.
Rockford Park District
$200,000 to renovate and improve eight neighborhood and community park playgrounds with updated equipment to meet ADA accessibility guidelines and improve play value.
Rockford Park District
$250,000 to acquire a 50-acre parcel in southwest Rockford. The site will include playfields for soccer, football, softball, and baseball, basketball and tennis courts, rest rooms and concession facilities, two major picnic Facilities (one with an outdoor stage and special event facilities), walking paths and opportunities For nature study including controlled access to the adjoining Klahm (Forest Preserve) Arboretum.
Schaumberg Park District
$137,500, to develop the 7.5-acre Northwest Neighborhood Park with a multi-use play court, a playground, paved pathways, sand volleyball, ice skating area, a
16 / Illinois Parks and Recreation
NEWS & INSIGHTS FROM THE LEGAL / LEGISLATIVE SCENE
backstop, shelter, softball field, seeding and landscaping.
Skokie Park Dirtrict
$112,000 to acquire 0.51 acres of former American Legion property. Future development will include basketball courts, roller hockey, ice hockey, a shelter and playground area. This park primarily will serve "youth at risk."
Springfield Park District
$400,000 to acquire a an 190.18-acre site in west Springfield.
St. Charles Park District
$105,300, to assist in the development of the 47.3-acre Otter Creek Wetland Park, an innovative and nationally recognized wetland restoration project created as a wetland mitigation "bonk". Developers impacting wetlands in the areas can buy "credits" in this wetland which fulfill their mitigation requirements. Amenities will include interpretive signage and a 1-mile trail with accessible boardwalks made of recycled materials.
Streamwood Park District
$200,000 to develop the 10-acre Sherwood Forest Pork with three softball diamonds, children's playground, parking lot, picnic shelter, interpretive wetland overlooks, bicycle and walking paths, site furnishings and landscaping.
Urbana Park District
$114,200 to expand the bicycle / pedestrian pathway system along and construct a bridge over McCullough Creek that will connect Prairie Play playground with the path system. Development of the 130- acre site will also include the construction of accessible, organic garden plots, a picnic site and pavilion.
Westmont Park District
$135,800 to incorporate and develop 1 8 acres of passive recreation at the existing Twin Lakes Park in Westmont. Improvements include restoration of native habitat, a trail system, picnic shelter and play space. Also planned are a sand volleyball court, parking lot, restroom facilities, storage area. Fishing pier and the construction of two bridges needed to cross St. Joseph's Creek to access the crosscountry ski program at the adjacent park district golf course,
Wheaton Park District
$400,000 to acquire 1.28 acres of land with an existing two-story office building and parking lot contiguous to Wheaton Park District's existing 130-acre Lincoln Marsh Natural Area. The facility will become home to the district's outdoor education program and wetland education center.
Wheeling Park District
$200,000 to acquire a 4.46-acre site with future development that includes an accessible playground and picnic grove.
Will County Forest Preserve District
$ 100,000 to acquire 40 acres and expand Thorn Creek Woods near University Park, an Illinois natural areas inventory site dedicated as a State Nature Preserve.
Winnebago County Forest Preserve
$343,000 to acquire a 395.88-acre tract of land along the Pecatonica River on the eastern boundary of the Pecatonica Wetland Forest Preserve. This Phase II acquisition includes forest, wetland, cultivated acreage in the Flood plain and upland agricultural land.
May / June 1997 / 17
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Sam S. Manivong, Illinois Periodicals Online Coordinator Illinois Periodicals Online (IPO) is a digital imaging project at the Northern Illinois University Libraries funded by the Illinois State Library |
