75 Years
Anniversary Gala Celebrates the Power of Citizen Advocacy

More than 300 people gathered at the Schaumburg Hyatt-Woodfield on June 20 for a gala event in honor of the 75 anniversary of the founding of the Illinois Association of Park Districts. The evening featured a dinner dance, a silent auction and a program in which IAPD Chair Dennis Flanagin of the Lan-Oak Park District and IAPD President Ted Flickinger outlined the accomplishments of the association and its commitment to continued success. "Just this spring, our membership pulled together and helped pass significant legislation that relieves Special Recreation Associations and some park districts from certain constraints of the tax cap," said Flickinger. "We worked with the Secretary of State's office to establish the Park District Youth License Plate, with proceeds going to after-school programs for kids. And we obtained nearly one million dollars in grant funding from the Illinois Attorney General's office to benefit youth after school programs. Can you think of a better way than that to demonstrate our 75 anniversary slogan: 'The Power of Citizen Advocacy?'"

Pictured at the gala are:

1. IAPD President Ted Flickinger and his wife Judy

2. IAPD Chair Dennis Flanagin of the Lan-Oak Park District and his wife Barbara

3. State Senator Kay Wojcik (R-28) and her husband Norbert

4. IPRA Chairperson Elizabeth Kessler of the Skokie Park District with IPRA CEO William Wald

5. IAPD General Counsel Peter Murphy with IAPD President Ted Flickinger

6. Former Commissioner Mike Cassidy, who served the Freeport Park District for 34 years, examines the historical display

7. Andy Bendy of the Pleasant Dale Park District is confident he has a winning bid on one of the silent auction items

8. Patricia Petkus, wife of IAPD board member Jim Petkus, considers a bid

9. Commissioner Mary Wright of the Naperville Park District

10. The table from the North Berwyn Park District

11. Ralph Cianchetti of Highland Park and Oscar Dahl of Northbrook, both former IAPD Board Chairmen

12. Commissioners Nancy Wroblewski, Michael Daniels and guest of the Schaumburg Park District

13. Susan and State Senator Terry Link (D-30) consider a bid

14. Joseph Vallez, director of North Berwyn, checks out the auction

32 | Illinois Parks and Recreation

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July/August 2003 | 33