Meet the Candidates for Illinois Governor       17
Learn their views on issues important to parks and recreation

Illinoisans Appreciate their Park Districts and Forest Preserves       20
Research reveals Illinois residents' attitudes about parks and open space
— by Jeff Andreasen and Lynn McClure

A Watershed Concept       23
A thought-provoking look at what muddies the Illinois River
— by Dale Goodner

Looking Downstream       30
Best practices in watershed management
— by Jennifer Hammer

Got Water?       34
IDNR's top water regulator shares top water use issues in Illinois
— by Donald R. Vonnahme

A Clean Getaway       36
Chicago's 31 lakefront beaches are recreational havens and require above-standard water quality testing
— by Michele Jones and Ann Ziolkowski

Illinois' only true stretch of white water is on the Vermilion River just west of Starved Rock State Park in LaSalle County. Chas J. Dees, photographer for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, took this shot on the Lowell Bridge off Highway 178, near the put-in spot for a popular rafting trip from Lowell to Oglesby known for its Class II and Class III or "wildcat" rapids that feature a gorge, runnable chutes, S-turns and surfing waves. The 17.1 -mile Vermilion River—Illinois' only river protected by the national Wild and Scenic River Act of 1968 —meanders through Grand Prairie glacial deposits, exposing scenic, steep, valley slopes and bluffs.

From the Editor       4

Are You on Board?       6
IAPD responds to IHRSA attacks on public recreation centers

Eye on the Profession       8
Workplace violence

Partnerships       10
The Conservatory Alliance is greening Chicago's West side

Statehouse Insider       12
Session recap and veto session calendar

Mixed Media       39
Communication in a crisis

Our Natural Resources       41
Counting Flying jewels, plus IDNR newsbriefs

People and Places       47
Scenes from the IAPD Legislative Conference and Parks Day