STATEHOUSE INSIDER
ISSUES & INSIGHTS FROM THE LEGAL / LEGISLATIVE SCENE

State Legislators Give Strong Support to Park Initiatives
2003 a Banner Year for Legislation

PETER M. MURPHY IAPD General Counsel

Park districts and forest preserves celebrated a banner year in the legislature during 2003. The year began by the introduction of a strong legislative platform reflecting IAPD- and IPRA-member concerns and ideas that would enable them to serve the public more effectively and economically By the end of the veto session last fall, that platform had been advanced in many key areas.

Advisory Referenda/ Ballot Description Authority

The way park districts hold elections will now change - for the better. Legislation to allow, for the first time, advisory referenda by park districts was incorporated into a larger package on election law and passed as Public Act 93-574. The ability of park districts to describe on the ballot the purposes for which referendum proceeds would be used is now authorized for any new corporate or recreation fund referenda increase as Public Act 93-434. This authority, which provides voters with more information at the ballot box, should lead to more successful referenda. Forest preserves received this authorization in 2002.

Grants for Capital Improvements to Senior Centers

Park districts are highly regarded for their collaborative efforts with other units of local government and not-for-profits. The passage of House Bill 2413 sponsored by Representative Gary Forby and Senator George Shadid will re-energize these efforts when serving seniors within the community.

For the first time, a grant program has been created to provide matching money for capital improvements at all senior centers in Illinois. This will be particularly helpful to those park district and township senior centers that have been overlooked in the past. Consider this funding authority akin to an OSLAD program for senior centers. The legislation also calls for the IAPD to recommend two seats on the Governor's Council on Senior Services.

After the passage of this legislation, the AARP and the Association of Senior Centers presented the Illinois Association of Park Districts with their Partnership in Excellence awards.

More Effective Budgeting

The passage of Senate Bill 196, sponsored by Senator Dave Sullivan and Representative Carole Pankau, will result in the ability to budget more effectively. This legislation was amendatorily vetoed by the governor and the changes proposed by that veto were accepted during the veto session. The bill, which became effective immediately, allows park districts located wholly within one county the ability to transfer rate authority to their corporate fund from other funds for tax levy purposes.

Restoration of Bonding Authority for Park Districts Not Previously Granted Relief and Levy Authority for Special Recreation Districts

Without question the passage of Senate Bill 83 during the spring session, restoring the bonding authority for those park

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districts that did not previously receive relief under the tax cap, and the passage of Senate Bill 1881, which permits park districts and municipalities to utilize their full rate authority for serving the handicapped in tax-capped counties, can be counted among the associations' greatest legislative victories.

After years of effort on these issues, the success was even sweeter when the legislature passed these measures during the spring session. But, the battle wasn't over, as the governor vetoed both bills and left us with the prospect of attempting an override. Democratic and Republican leadership in both the House and Senate played a. critical role in the success of these bills in the override process.

In addition, these bills could not have had more dedicated lead sponsors. Senator Terry Link and Representative Skip Saviano were the lead sponsors of Senate Bill 83 and Senator Don Harmon and Representative Julie Hamos took the lead on Senate Bill 1881. The commitment of these individuals was outstanding and went beyond the call of duty. These sponsors also stood with unwavering support even after the governor's veto.

To put these victories into perspective, note that of the 54 bills receiving the governor's total veto, only six were overridden — one of 25 in the House and five of 29 in the Senate. Two of the six overridden bills were the IAPD's Senate Bill 83 and Senate Bill 1881.

When bills such as these pass, the real winners are the disabled in Illinois who will receive stronger support, more programming and greater opportunities. And, the recreational infrastructure in communities impacted by Senate Bill 83 will be preserved on a cost-effective basis.

Other Legislative Successes in Springfield

In addition, we acted to protect the names and personal information of participants in park district programs through the passage of House Bill 1425 (now Public Act 93-237) sponsored by Representative Elaine Nekritz and Senator Susan Garrett.

The Park System Civil Services Act was also amended to increase the population limits, so that park districts with under a 500,000 population limit would not be affected by this archaic law.

IAPD also played a key role as a member of the Local Government Coalition in seeking consensus and compromise on the automated external defibrillator legislation, the verbatim recording requirements and changes to the Freedom of Information Act.

You Are the Reason for the Banner Year

Thank you for all your work this past year in support of parks and recreation issues. Your efforts have made a difference. Your personal relationships with state senators and representatives have kept lawmakers informed about issues that are important to you locally and issues key to parks and recreation throughout the state. Your legislators have responded to you.

The voting records of your senators and representatives on all of the issues listed above are on the IAPD web site www.IL.parks.org. But let me tell you that working with the General Assembly last year was a pleasure. The long hours and extraordinary efforts by legislators on behalf of our issues demonstrates their commitment to their constituents and the quality of life that park and recreation agencies bring to the entire state.

Your presence in Springfield during key times in the legislative process; your telephone calls; your personal letters; your attendance at legislative events and meetings with editorial boards; and the work you did engaging friends and constituents to make key contacts have made these wonderful victories possible.

Working together, we have been successful and achieved much. Working together, we will need to keep an eye on the coming year as we continue to make our case for parks and recreation. •

National Front On the national level your voice was heard on the Transportation Equity Act (TEA-21). Faced with an elimination of the transportation enhancements portion of the bill, $600 million would have been lost. A historic vote to overturn the amendment stripping this money was successful and had strong support from the Illinois congressional delegation. This far-reaching, six-year program was extended for five months by President Bush to give Congress more time to authorize a multi-year bill.

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