More than 370 IAPD and IPRA members lobbied their state senators and representatives on April 21 in an effort to preserve OSLAD and NAAF funding. The action was one of the high points of the 26th annual IAPD Legislative Conference, which took place in Springfield on April 20 and 21.

Events kicked off with a reception April 20 during which park district commissioners and professionals mingled with legislators at the Illini Country Club in Springfield. Then it was down to work at 8:00 the next morning. Featured speaker Joel Blackwell showed participants how to expand their political circles and House Republican Chief of Staff William O'Conner along with Michael Luke of the Illinois Attorney General's Office briefed park district commissioners and employees on how new ethics legislation affects park districts and recreation agencies.

Other highlights included Attorney General Lisa Madigan awarding Recreation Access Best Practices Awards to six organizations in recognition of their efforts to create recreational opportunities for Illinois residents with disabilities. The IAPD recognized two state senators for their career-long support of park and recreation initiatives: Senate president Emil Jones and State Senator Adeline Jay Geo-Karis.

Chairman of the IAPD Board of Trustees Clint Hull urges members to speak to their legislators about ensuring funds for parks, recreation and preservation.

Joel Brunsvold, Director of the Illinois Natural Resources Department, and Brent Manning, former IDNR director and now executive director at the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, compare notes at the legislative reception.

18 - Illinois Parks and Recreation.

	Senate President Emil Jones of Chicago (left) and State Senator Adeline Jay Geo-Karis of Zion (right) were presented tokens of esteem by IAPD President and CEO Ted Flickinger.
Representative Ricca Slone of Peoria Heights with IAPD President and CEO Ted Flickinger, State Senator Don Harmon of Oak Park, IAPD General Counsel Peter Murphy, and State Senator William Peterson of Long Grove.	Naperville Commissioner Mary Wright (left) and Forest Preserve District of DuPage County Commissioner Carl Schultz (right) discuss legislation with Representative Jim Meyer of Bolingbrook.

July/August 2004 - 19