Legislative Conference

More than 325 IAPD and IPRA members who attended the March 27 and 28 IAPD Legislative Conference learned that being involved in the lawmaking process puts park, recreation and conservation issues at the forefront of a legislative agenda, while apathy practically ensures that these issues get little attention.

Events kicked off with a reception March 27, during which park district commissioners and professionals discussed issues with legislators at the Illini Country Club in Springfield. Let's Go Play, Inc./ Playworld Systems sponsored this year's reception and were represented by Mark and Ana Fiore.

Then it was down to work at 8:00 the next morning, with a program aimed at giving park and recreation advocates the latest information on the hot park, recreation and conservation agency-related topics. Joint Legislative Committee Chairs George Longmeyer of the

Schaumburg Park District and Rich Grodsky of the Elmhurst Park District, along with IAPD General Counsel Peter Murphy detailed the issues pending before the General Assembly. Later in the afternoon, Senator Debbie Halvorson, Representative Linda Chapa LaVia and Jack Kubik, chief of staff for House Republican Leader Tom Cross, provided insiders' views of the legislative process and the keys to working effectively with elected officials.

As in the past, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources was a welcome presence. Deputy Director - and Springfield Park Board President — Leslie Sgro — was on hand to personally deliver more than $1.8 million in OSLAD funding to representatives of eight park, recreation and conservation agencies from across the state. The money was a small part of the nearly $20 million in OSLAD grants going to 58 Illinois agencies (see IP&R, March/April page 38).

1. Schaumburg Commissioner Bob Schmidt, State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka, Schaumburg Commissioner Dave Johnson and IAPD President and CEO Ted Flickinger enjoy the legislative reception.

2. IDNR Deputy Director Leslie Sgro presents a $327,600 OSLAD Grant check to Rod Aiken,

executive director of the Glencoe Park District.

3. Lori Palmer of the Bartlett Park District Board (left) and Western PuPage Special Recreation Association Director Jane Hodgkinson (right) meet Senator Carole Pankau.

4. Commissioner Alvin Griggs of the Champaign Park District, Commissioner Bruce Larson of the Urbana Park District and Champaign Park District Executive Director Bobbie Herakovich speak with Senator Dan Rutherford.

5. Representative Donald Moffitt takes questions.

6. Senator William Peterson (left) with Mundelein Park and Recreation District Commissioner Wally Frasier.

7. Robert Smith, a commissioner with the Arlington Heights Park District (left) and Roger Key, the district's executive director (right), meet with the Representative Sidney Mathias.

8. IAPD General Counsel Peter Murphy with IDNR Deputy Dkector Leslie Sgro and Representative Kathleen Ryg.

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