New Year Brings Hotly Contested '93 Elections

PETER M. MURPHY
IAPD General Counsel

AS IS TYPICAL in years when all major constitutional officers are up for election, the spring legislative session is abbreviated. The legislature convenes its '98 session on Jan. 14. Regular session days scheduled for this legislative session total 40. (This number excludes some perfunctory days when the House and Senate convene without members present.) The governor's "State of the State" message will be delivered on Jan. 28 and the deadline for the introduction of House bills is Feb. 17. The final passage date is May 15 and the last scheduled day of session is May 22. This expedited schedule will mean that consideration of bill introductions will occur more quickly than in previous years.

TAX CAPS LOSE

In the November 4 election six counties considered the question of whether or not to impose tax caps on local governments within the county. Tax caps were approved in only three of the six counties in contrast to the November election in 1996 when tax caps were approved in 18 of 19 counties. It appears that the message on tax caps is getting out and that when voters are educated about the real impact of tax caps, they will hesitate to approve them. Tax caps were approved in JoDavies, Kendall, and White counties, and were rejected in Carroll, La Salle and Whiteside counties. IAPD will continue to educate members of the General Assembly about the negative impacts of tax caps on park districts and forest preserves.

NEW MEMBERS

While the election year will culminate in a number of new members being elected to the Illinois General Assembly, there has been some early turnover leading up to the election. The IAPD welcomes the following new members to the General Assembly:

Rep. Richard T. Bradley (D-20, Chicago) has held several positions in Chicago city government, most recently as Deputy Director of the Mayor's Office of Inquiry and Information, and then as Assistant General Superintendent of the Department of Streets and Sanitation.

Rep. Michael Brown (R-63, Crystal Lake) was appointed to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Rep. Ann Hughes. He is a real estate appraiser, and has served on the McHenry County Board since 1988. He was also elected this year as a township assessor, but is now relinquishing both of those local offices.

Sen. Judith A. Meyers (R-53, Danville) was Vermilion County Recorder before being appointed to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Senator Harry "Babe" Woodyard. She is a past president of the Illinois Association of County Clerks and Recorders and a member of the Vermilion County Republican Central Committee.

Rep. Dan Reitz (D- 116, Steeleville) was appointed to fill the seat vacated by the death of Representative Terry Deering. He is a member and former chairman of the Randolph County Board. He was formerly employed by the Peabody Coal Company and is now legislative director for the United Mine Workers.

Sen. Lawrence M. Walsh (D-43, Elwood) has also been a Jackson Township supervisor since 1973 and served two stints on the Will County Board, and has been Will County Democratic Chairman since 1991. He has also held several positions on the Will County Farm Bureau. Walsh was appointed to replace Sen. Thomas A. Dunn, who resigned to become an associate judge.

ANVAN VS. COUNTY COLLECTOR

IAPD participated as an Intervener in the case of Anvan v. County Collector of DuPage at the Circuit and Appellate Court levels as well as when the case reached the Illinois Supreme Court for oral argument on November 24, 1997.

The case involves tax objectors who filed

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ISSUES AND INSIGHTS FROM THE LEGAL/LEGISLATIVE SCENE

blanket tax objections against a variety of DuPage County municipalities and park districts.

Of the numerous objections raised, one objection was against 21 DuPage County park districts that were accused by the objectors of issuing non-referenda general obligation bonds in violation of the tax limitation law.

These bonds were issued to service installment contracts and/or refund alternate bonds all of which had been entered into or issued by the affected park districts prior to the effective date of the tax cap (October 1, 1991).

The Trial Court upheld the park districts' position. The objector appealed to the Appellate Court and the Supreme Court took up the issue as it was asserted that it involved certain constitutional questions.

The Illinois Supreme Court's decision on this case should be rendered sometime early in 1998 and a favorable outcome is expected.

OSLAD GRANTS

Gov. Jim Edgar announced $14 million in grants to help communities create and improve park lands and preserve natural areas throughout Illinois.

A total of 81 projects in communities of all sizes will be funded through the grants. More than 600 acres of local park lands will be acquired and 67 development grants will target a variety of improvements such as new playground equipment, ballfields, swimming pools, nature center, trails, and ice and in-line skating areas.

DNR received more than 130 applications seeking nearly $22 million. To date, $72 million has been awarded for local park projects since the OSLAD program was initiated in 1986.

Maximum grant awards are $400,000 for acquisition projects and $200,000 for development projects.

Local governments interested in applying for grants for the coming year can contact the IAPD at 217.523.4554 or the DNR Division of Grant Administration, 524 S. Second St., Room 315, Springfield, 111 62701-1787 or call 217.782.7481.

Arlington Heights Park District
$200,000 to construct a new zero depth swimming pool, a children's activity pool, bath-house and site amenities at Pioneer Park Pool.

Boone County Conservation District
$189,800 to develop 28.6 acres of donated wetland prairie.

Carlinville Park District
$160,000 to improve the pools and bath-house at the Carlinville Public Pool by replacing the filter system, piping and pumps, fencing, decks and gutters, as well as providing access ladders, and constructing a zero depth wading pool.

Champaign Park District
$200,000 to develop the 20-acre Zahnd neighborhood park. Development will include lighted ballfields, basketball courts, playground, shelter, picnic area, drinking fountain, landscaping, plus extension of the trail system to and through the site.

Chicago Park District
$200,000 to develop the additional 0.23 acre of land at Schreiber Park in the city's Rogers Park area. Development will include basketball courts, passive area, ornamental iron fencing, horseshoe pits, and the rehabilitation of the existing park field house.

Chicago Park District
$400,000 to acquire 20 acres located on Chicago's southeast side for future park development. The park will also provide a greenway link between the south lakefront bike path, Calumet Park, the Calumet River and the new 11 -mile Burnham Greenway.

Clyde Park District
$200,000 to redevelop Warren Park, a 3.55- acre site in the city of Cicero. Improvements include the installation of a t-ball/softball field, bicycle/walking paths, playgrounds, sand volleyball courts, in-line and ice hockey skating area and security lights.

Country Club Hills Park District
$76,400 to develop Marylakes Estates Park, a 2-acre neighborhood site. Amenities will include a playground, landscaping, water fountain, passive area, picnic pavilion, half-court basketball courts and a walking trail.

Crystal Lake Park District
$200,000 to renovate a 5.2-acre pond into a recreational and educational feature for Veteran Acres Park, a 140-acre site. The project includes construction of a fishing pond and pier, excavation of a sediment pool, construction of an ice rink area, restoration of an existing fence.

Decatur Park District
$200,000 to construct an outdoor sports complex on a 120-acre site on Decatur's south side. The project includes construction of lighted ball diamonds, playgrounds, volleyball courts, landscaping and lighting.

DeKalb Park District
$400,000 to acquire 10 acres known as University Park, providing park and recreational opportunities in a high population/low income area.

Dundee Township Park District
$200,000 to develop the 1 29-acre Randall Oaks Community Park site, the district's first northwest side park and athletic complex. Development plans include a shelter/ warming house ice skating areas, in-line skating, soccer fields, basketball courts and habitat restoration.

Fox Valley Park District
$200,000 to expand facilities at the 40-acre Red Oak Nature Center. The project includes an addition to the nature center building, interpretive trails, fishing stations, a trail to "Devil's Cave," picnic shelter, prairie restoration, Fox River shoreline stabilization, an entry way and pathway lighting.

Glen Ellyn Park District
$250,000 to acquire the Lightheart Property, a 4.97-acre underdeveloped site featuring ponds, wetlands, wildlife, and native plant materials.

Gurnee Park District
$200,000 to develop the Hunt Club Neighborhood Park, a 25- acre site. Development will include a baseball field, soccer field, jogging path, playground, interpretive trails and signage, basketball court, shelter and benches.

Hanover Park Park District
$94,000 to acquire an additional 2.03 acres adjacent to the park district's proposed new family aquatic center to provide a increased buffer for the surrounding neighborhood and to allow for future expansion.

Hoffman Estates Park District
$105,000 to develop a 2-acre neighborhood

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STATEHOUSE INSIDER

park. Parkway Playlot, with a multi-age playground, an arbor shelter, an interactive water play/sprinkler area, soccer shot on goal, fitness station cluster and an in-line skating/hockey rink.

Kankakee River Valley Forest Preserve District
$82,700 to construct a 46-acre nature park in Aroma Park. The project will include walking trails, parking lot, pavilion, picnic tables and an entrance gate.

Kendall County Forest Preserve District
$139,400 to develop the 140-acre Richard Young Preserve into the county's first nature/ interpretive center. The site will feature a shelter, interpretive center, trails, signage. parking, and habitat restoration.

Kewanee Park District
$200,000 to develop an aquatic center within its Northeast Park. This project will cover about 1.5 acres and will be a regional draw for outdoor water recreation.

Lake County Forest Preserve District
$200,000 to develop access and continue restoration of the 454-acre Middlefork Savanna. This project includes restoration of a 20-acre wetland/ savanna community, reintroduction of native species, drain tile, and installation of bridges and trail restoration.

Macomb Park District
$200,000 to construct an accessible playground, outdoor ice skating rink, indoor concession and bathrooms, parking lot, picnic shelters, and a maintenance/storage building at the district's Ball Fore Pork.

Macon County Conservation District
$200,000 to expand the Rock Spring's Visitor Center by enlarging exhibitor and museum facilities, expanding classroom and meeting space.

McHenry County Conservation District
$400,000 to acquire a 165-acre upland-wetland complex with woodland and wetland communities for resource restoration, environmental education and recreation.

McHenry County Conservation District
$200,000 to convert a former private lodge, located on 296 acres in southeast McHenry County, into a nature center. The center will house interpretive displays and the district's natural and cultural history library.

Morton Grove Park District
$70.300 to develop 0.58-acre park space known as Jacobs Family Park Development includes a playground, a basketball court, game tables, a picnic shelter with drinking fountain and paths.

Mundelein Park District
$200,000 to develop Long Meadow Park, a 49-acre site. Development consists of ball fields, multi-purpose trail system linking residents to playing fields, wetlands, playgrounds and ice skating area.

New Lenox Park District
$96,600 to develop Schoolhouse Manor Park, a 10-acre community park site. Development consist of a sled hill, playground, picnic pavilion, outdoor ice rink, interpretive signage and walking path.

Northbrook Park District
$200,000 to develop a 6.15-acre site known as Stonegate Subdivision Neighborhood Park. Facilities to be developed include a playground, tot-lot, soccer Field, tennis courts, open space areas, sledding area, and a senior citizen's areas.

Village of Orland Park
$200,000 to develop a 50 acres of land that is part of the existing 235-acre Centennial Park. Development includes a swimming beach, fishing docks, parking lot, walking paths, bridge and overlook pier.

Palatine Park District
$200,000 to develop the 1.6-acre town square into an urban park. Construction will include walkways, seating areas, planters, formal entries and a gazebo/picnic shelter, landscaping and large open spaces to accommodate public festivals.

Peoria Park District
$200,000 to renovate the 30-year-old Carver Pool. The project includes bathhouse renovation, pool reconstruction, shelters, sand play area, water slide, filtration and heating system, and a water playground.

Plainfield Township Park District
$400,000 to acquire a 25.5-acre site, the district's first large community park west of Route 59. The site, when fully developed, will provide lighted baseball and soccer fields, multipurpose game fields, an accessible playground, lighted basketball and volleyball courts.

Prospect Heights Park District
$84,500 to develop Prospect Height's 4.5-acre Muir Park adjacent to Pleasant Run Park owned by the Wheeling Park District. Development is a joint effort.

Quincy Park District
$124,200 to complete new development and improvement of existing facilities of the 135-acre South Park. The project includes a warming house, public restroom facilities, picnic areas, park walkways, outdoor gazebo and landscaping.

Rend Lake Conservancy District
$200,000 to develop and renovate two facilities on district land including tennis courts near the lodge and archery, skeet-shooting and trap-shooting ranges, plus sporting clays course.

Roselle Park District
$200,000 to develop the 34.5-acre Clauss Playfields site with baseball fields, soccer field, basketball court, walking/jogging paths and shelter with restrooms.

San Jose Park District
$41,200 to develop the district's 5.72-acre West Park. Improvements include the construction of a baseball Field, soccer field, a shelter, installation of additional playground equipment, landscaping, and improvement of the electrical service.

Schaumburg Park District
$200,000 to develop the 6.7-acre Park St. Claire neighborhood park site. The project includes an informal baseball field, soccer field, shelter, playgrounds, tennis courts, and a multi-use hard court area for in-line skating.

Sycamore Park District
$61,500 to develop 8 acres known as the Borden Avenue Park in a joint effort between the park district and the school district. The park district will provide a playground area, tennis/basketball courts, softball field and soccer fields. The school district will provide parking lots and access to the gym.

Western Springs Park District
$200,000 for improvements at the district's 85-acre Spring Rock Community Park, including a new roller hockey rink, soccer/ football fields, lighted ball field, additional pedestrian paths and improvements to existing baseball fields.

Wheeling Park District
$200,000 to develop the 4-acre Pleasant Run Park Adjacent to the John Muir Park owned by the Prospect Heights Park District. The project consists of wetland preservation and enhancement, nature trails, shaded seating areas, neighborhood tot lot, basketball court, softball/little league field, soccer field and landscaping.

Will County Forest Preserve District
$162,500 to acquire about 2 acres adjacent to nesting islands at Lake Renwick Heron Rookery Nature Preserve near Plainfield. This site will provide a sheltered viewing area for the largest, mixed species rookery in northern Illinois.

Winnebago County Forest Preserve District
$400,000 to acquire 317 acres in the Kishwaukee Greenway. The project will protect locally identified natural areas and habitat for threatened and endangered species along a biologically significant stream. 

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