The Illinois General Assembly had a notable legislative session this year in a number of ways, but perhaps most significantly it adjourned for the first time in history by early evening on April 15. Typical legislative sessions run through the end of June. This accelerated legislative calendar made bill passage an interesting process for proponents and gave the advantage to groups that wanted to sideline or kill legislation.

Several noteworthy pieces of legislation that affect park districts did pass and are waiting approval on the governor’s desk. First and foremost, the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) program—funded through the Ill. Dept. of Natural Resources—reached a record level of $21 million dollars. This is great news to the many park districts and forest preserves seeking assistance for park development and open space acquisition.

In addition, a number of districts were fortunate to receive direct funding from the Illinois FIRST program for special projects. For example, Glen Ellyn Park District received 2 million dollars for the acquisition of the last large 25-acre tract of open space in the community. In total, the property cost $5.3 million to acquire.

Passing both houses was SB425, which amends the Chicago Park District Act and the Park District Aquarium and Museum Act. It provides that for a period of two years beginning on the effective date of the legislation, aquariums and museums operated by a park district must be open to the public without charge for a period equivalent to 52 days each year (currently one day each week). At least 6 of these days must be during the period from June through August. This provision will assist park districts in planning museum attendance at times when museums and aquariums are fully staffed and better able to accommodate the higher public attendance that such free days draw.

SB425 also was amended to require a park district to put to a vote the question of transferring real estate if the following criteria are met: the park district has a population of 3,000; it transfers by lease, license, development or other means to a private entity; the land to be transferred is greater than 70 percent of the district’s total property; and the current use of the real estate will be substantially altered by the private entity.

Also reaching the governor’s desk was HB 4045, which makes it unlawful for a child sex offender to knowingly reside within 500 feet of a playground or a facility providing programs and services exclusively directed toward persons under 18 years of age.

Illinois Rivers 2020
Governor Ryan and Lt. Governor Wood have worked with the Illinois Congressional delegation to support “Illinois Rivers 2020.”

This program is a $2.5 billion, 20-year, federal/state initiative to address the problems of water quality, soil erosion and sediment buildup in the Illinois River basin.

Illinois is seeking a $950 million federal appropriation through existing Farm Bill programs and the Clean Water Act.

The IAPD is a participant in this cooperative effort with the Illinois River Coordinating Council.

Illinois also is seeking an amendment to the Water Resources Development Act to restore waterways and improve water quality.

Congressman LaHood is spearheading efforts in Washington, D.C., for Illinois Rivers 2020.

National Front
LWCF allies from across the country have been participating in phone, fax and letter-writing campaigns to encourage legislative support for the Conservation and Reinvestment Act (CARA HR701). The objective is to get CARA HR701 to the floor for a vote before Congress’ annual Memorial Day recess.

Despite this grass-roots pressure and the support of 316 members of Congress as co-sponsors, the House leadership has failed either to deliver a floor vote for CARA or to schedule the bill’s vote date.

However, the momentum to bring CARA to the full house for a vote has not subsided. The Chicago Tribune on April 29 had an excellent

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This very significant piece of legislation will without doubt establish a legacy of land protection for generations to come. Illinois alone will receive more than 53 million dollars.

Remember, your efforts do count. For more about CARA and samples letters, see www.ahrinfo.org on the Web.

legislative links on the IAPD Web site
Visit the IAPD Web site, www.ILparks.org. There you will find updates throughout, but in particular the legislative area has a new section that gives a brief overview of bills pending the governor’s signature.

New links also connect you to information on congressional action, status for bills in the Illinois General Assembly, and general advocacy resources.

Also see the “What’s New” section for information about Illinois Parks and Recreation Month in June. Earlier this year, Gov. George Ryan declared June as a special month to recognize Illinois’ parks, forest preserves and recreational offerings.

A link to see is the Environmental News Network at www.enn.com. This site features current environmental topics and interactive polls. Recently a poll was conducted regarding public support for increased LWCF funding.

Museum Grants
Gov. Ryan announced $10.4 million in Public Museum Capital and Operating Grants.

The grant program, administered by the Department of Natural Resources, Division of the Illinois State Museum, reimburses museums for up to one-third the cost of capital improvement projects.

Museums, which are operated by or located on land owned by a unit of local government, are eligible to apply for grant funding. Museums throughout Illinois submitted 49 applications requesting nearly $15 million in grant funds this year. For more information, contact Karen Fyfe, Illinois State Museum, 217.782.5992, kfyfe@museum.state.il.us.

Adler Planetarium
(Chicago) $755,000 Completion and final phase of the Sky Pavilion including installation of seven major exhibits.

Anita Purvis Nature Center
(Urbana) $11,000 Forest Exhibit Project Phase II of the Nature Center Exhibit.

Anita Purvis Nature Center
Arlington Heights Historical Museum (Arlington Heights) $20,000 Second phase improving the climate control system at the Arlington Heights three historical museum buildings.

Art Institute of Chicago
(Chicago) $855,000 Projects include renovation of the historic Allerton Building and construction of the 70,000-sq. ft. South Building to provide new and increased gallery space for six collections.

Brookfield Zoo
(Brookfield) $855,000 New exhibit will be designed to provide a new kind of zoo experience for young children.

Burpee Museum of Natural History
(Rockford) $63,000 The funding is for Phase II includes planning for a biology exhibit, the addition of a public elevator, and the addition of hands-on and audio components to the Native American exhibits.

Chicago Athenaeum
(Schaumburg) $100,000, Includes the addition of a café/bookstore and an interior garden.

Chicago Botanic Garden
(Glencoe) $855,000 Funds support development of Evening Island, the second largest of the garden’s nine islands.

Children’s Museum of Illinois
(Decatur) $30,000 Implementation of Master Exhibit Plan includes replacing this 5-year-old museum’s temporary exhibits with four new major permanent exhibits.

Cosley Zoo
(Wheaton) $100,000 Project will create improved visitor services through the expansion of the 1887 train station retaining the original historic architecture.

Current Members Not Returning to the Illinois General Assembly
Senate
All incumbents who were up for election ran.
59 Ned Mitchell Lost primary
House
1 Sonia Silva (D) Lost primary
4 Edgar I. Lopez (D) Lost primary
7 Wanda J. Sharp (D) Lost primary
10 Coy Pugh (D) Lost primary
29 Willis Harris (D) Lost primary
64 Cal Skinner (R) Lost primary
60 Lauren Beth Gash (D) Ran for Congress, won primary
79 Michael Giglio (D) Did not run
88 William E. Brady (R) Ran for Congress, lost primary
104 Timothy V. Johnson Ran for Congress, won primary
117 Larry D. Woolard (D) Ran for the Illinois Senate, won primary
— Legislative Research Unit

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Crystal Lake Park District Nature Center
(Crystal Lake) $5,000 Project involves the addition of a green house to the existing Nature Center enabling visitors year round interaction with nature.

Discovery Center Museum
(Rockford) $70,000 Capital improvement project includes renovation of the Color and Light Exhibit area, expansion of exhibit space in the outdoor science park.

Downers Grove Park District Museum
(Downers Grove) $8,000 Project consists of replacing the current inadequate climate control system. Safety concerns will also be addressed.

Exploration Station
(Bourbonnais) $6,000 Project involves the addition of an interactive grocery store exhibit in which preschool and school age children will learn about nutrition, money concepts, reading and math skills.

Field Museum
(Chicago) $855,000, Project involves the construction of a new Dinosaur Hall to provide a permanent home for “Sue.”

General John A. Logan Museum
(Murphysboro) $3,700 1843 Log Court House Reconstruction will expand the Museum’s interpretation of local nineteenth century life.

Glen Oak Zoo
(Peoria) $70,000 Project includes renovation of a vacant structure and under-utilized exhibit area into an indoor/outdoor educational center.

Haines Museum
(Waukegan) $35,000 Museum is in the final stages of being restored to its 1870’s appearance. Heritage Farm Museum (Byron) $52,000 Project includes the construction of a replica 1846 Grout Farm House that was once on the site, the rehabilitation of a barn, corn crib and carriage house.

John Shedd Aquarium
(Chicago) $855,000 Project involves the completion of the new “River Journey” exhibit.

Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden
(Rockford) $26,000 Project funds improve outdoor areas through the creation of “outdoor classroom” spaces, upgraded safety and improved accessibility for visitors with limited mobility.

Lake County Museum
(Wauconda) $245,000 Presents the history and significance of the picture postcard in the country’s only permanent postcard exhibit.

Lincoln Park Zoo
(Chicago) $855,000 First phase in the renovation of the Regenstein Lare Mammal.

Lisle Station Park
(Lisle) $45,300 Project involves construction of a rustic-looking Blacksmith Shop.

Lombard Historical Museum
(Lombard) $4,000 Project involves the final steps in the restoration and preservation of the Sheldon Peck House.

Midway Village & Museum Center
(Rockford) $260,000 Includes the installation of a museum-quality climate control system for preservation the museum’s 80,000 artifact collection. Museum of Science and Industry (Chicago) $855,000, Project involves environmental and emergency backup improvements to the museum.

Naper Settlement
(Naperville) $256,000 Project includes both interior and exterior renovation of the 1883 Martin Mitchell Mansion.

Oak Park Conservatory
(Oak Park) $40,000 Restoration of Conservatory Fern Room to its original architectural sate and to meet current standards.

Rock Springs Visitor Center
(Decatur) $66,000, Project involves the installation of seen new exhibits depicting the history, flora and fauna of the Sangamon River Valley.

Tekakwitha Woods Nature Center
(Geneva) $72,000, Construction of “The River Wild” exhibit - a 24-foot diorama recreating the Fox River environment.

Boat Access Grants
Gov. Ryan recently announced $725,000 in FY2000 Boat Access Area Develpment Grants. The grants, administered by the Department of Natural Resources, are awarded on a competitive basis. A total of 21 applicants sought nearly $1.8 million in funding.

Applications for next year’s program may be submitted between July 1 and Sept. 1, 2000.

For more information, contact IAPD or DNR’s Ron Hallberg, 217.782.7481, rhallberg@dnrmail.state.il.us

Canton Park District
(Fulton Co.) $8,000 to construct a non-motorized boat dock at Fitch Lake located in Lakeland Park on the west side of the city of Canton.

Dixon Park District
(Lee Co.) $33,600 to reconstruct motorized boat access ramps and to construct floating docks and walkways at Page Park.

Elmhurst Park District
(DuPage Co.) $35,000 to construct a non-motorized canoe access ramp in Eldridge Park.

Gurnee Park District
(Lake Co.) $20,000 to construct a non-motorized boat access area on the south bank of the Kankakee River.

Vermilion County Conservation District
$40,000 to construct a non-motorized boat launch on the east bank of the Middle Fork River in Kennekuk County Park. 

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