People, Places & Things

Forty State Park Sites Hit Hard by Fiscal 1993 Budget Cuts

The legislature's failure to approve increased fees, coupled with budget cuts it imposed, will result in layoffs and other negative impacts at 40 state parks. The results will range from program reductions to total closures, according to Conservation Department Director Brent Manning.

Manning said the cuts will include the following:

• Program reductions at seven sites;
• Seasonal closures of 26 sites;
• Total closure or delayed opening of seven sites.

One hundred and sixty-seven positions are being eliminated agency-wide, with 67 individuals expected to be laid off, including central office staff. Manning said the number of layoffs could be reduced if those employees accept other opportunities within the department. Layoffs are expected to be effective October 15.

Manning said he and Gov. Jim Edgar explored all available avenues to minimize impacts to the sites. "The Department is redirecting more than $2 million in its special funds, such as those for park improvements, to help offset cuts imposed by the legislature," Manning said. "While this will mean the department will have to slow its planned construction projects, it is important to keep as many parks open as possible." Without this, the department would have had to close or seasonally close about two dozen more parks.

Manning noted that for every $1 spent on Conservation programs, $25 is generated. It is estimated the Department has a $2.8 billion annual impact on Illinois' economy.

Ken Kutska Named As
Professional of the Year

Ken Kutska, Superintendent of Parks, Wheaton Park District and NRPA Board of Trustee member, received the 1992 Great Lakes Professional of the Year Award at a ceremony during the Great Lakes Summer Meeting in Des Moines, Iowa.

Kutska is chair of NRPA's National Playground Safety Institute and was recently named vice-chairman of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM F15.29) Subcommittee for Public Playground Safety Standards. Pictured above, left to right: Dave Sacco, Great Lakes Regional Council Awards Chairman. Ken Kutska, and incoming Great Lakes Regional Council Chair and Summer Meeting Hostess Chris Larson of West Des Moine, Iowa.

Ramona Castillo New To
Chicago Park Board of
Commissioners

Ramona Castillo, prominent Chicago businesswoman and founder/president of Monarch Graphics of Illinois, Inc., joined the Chicago Park Board of Commissioners at its July 28 meeting.

Appointed by Mayor Richard Daley on July 7, she replaces Commissioner Sylvia Herrera, whose term expired. Castillo's term runs through April 1997.

"Mrs. Castillo is highly regarded for her professional expertise and involvement in civic affairs." said President Richard A. Devine. "We look forward to utilizing her talent and input to continue building a better park system."

Founded in 1973, Monarch Graphics is a promotional products company specializing in imprinted awards and gifts for corporations.

Castillo's more than 20 years of experience in the printing and graphic arts field also includes work as an assistant sales manager for a printing company and a buyer of graphic and printing material.

Castillo has compiled an impressive list of business acheivement awards in recent years. She is a board member of many professional organizations, including the Chicago Council on Urban Affairs, the National Council of Hispanic Women and the Chicago Association of Commerce and Industry task force.

IPR Ad Representative
Allan Young Passes Away

Allan S. Young, National Advertising Representative for Illinois Parks & Recreation, has passed away. Young had represented IPR for seven years.

He is survived by his wife, Carol; children Paul, Meredith, Natalie, Janis, and Karin: and 10 grandchildren. Young was a graduate of Northwestern University School of Law.

Crete Chooses New Director

The Crete Park District has chosen Brian J. Sullivan, CLT Director of Parks and Recreation. Sullivan is a former Director of Recreation of Lockport Township Park District. He is President of the South Suburban Park and Recrcation Professional Association, an IPRA affiliate.