STATEHOUSE INSIDER

ISSUES & INSIGHTS FROM THE LEGAL/LEGISLATIVE SCENE

New OSLAD Funding Highlights Year of Successful Advocacy

This year has indeed been a special one with a substantial increase in the appropriation to the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development program (OSLAD) for funding in fiscal year 2007. As many of you know, the appropriation has been static for a number of years at $20 million. This year, the appropriation was $31.8 million, a 59 percent increase over previous years' appropriations. This would not have been possible without the advocacy work that each of you did in contacting your legislators with regard to this important funding source for the acquisition and development of open space. This year the OSLAD program marks its 20th year of existence. In response to dwindling federal dollars throughout the 1980s and the early 90s and growing outdoor recreation demands, the Illinois General Assembly, at IAPD's urging, established the OSLAD program in fiscal year 1986 as part of the Build Illinois bond fund initiative. The legislation authorized $40 million over a five-year period beginning in fiscal year 1986. However, during that five-year period only $22.6 million was actually appropriated and expended.

The Illinois Association of Park Districts had long sought a predictable and stable funding source for open space acquisition in order to ensure more program funding. After many years of advocacy by IAPD, Senate Bill 1463 was passed in 1989 and signed into law on September 15,1989 as Public Act 86-925. This new public act dedicated a portion of the revenues derived from the state's real estate transfer tax specifically for the OSLAD program. Allocations of funds from this dedicated source were phased in over a five-year period beginning in fiscal year 1991, with full funding achieved in fiscal year 1995.

Thirty-five percent of the revenue derived from the real estate transfer tax is now allocated annually to the OSLAD program and 15 percent of the revenue derived from the real estate transfer tax is allocated to the Natural Areas Acquisition Fund (NAAF). The remaining 50 percent of the real estate transfer tax is spent to support affordable housing.

The success of the OSLAD program is without question. From fiscal year 1986 through fiscal year 2006, the number of projects awarded total 1,248. The amount of dollars awarded has been $247,932,666, and the total number of acres acquired through OSLAD grants exceeds 23,362. The $32.9 million just awarded for fiscal year 2007 is the largest award in OSLAD history and will fund 101 projects in Illinois.

This program has a tremendous track record that we can all be proud of. It has leveraged more than $600 million in the acquisition and development of open space in the state of Illinois since 1986. Had it not been for your advocacy, which created the funding source for this program in the first place, this investment would have never been made.

A special thanks goes to Representatives Julie Hamos, Karen May, Elaine Nekritz and Kathleen Ryg, whose commitment to this program pushed the agenda forward with the governor's office resulting in the large increase in the fiscal year 2007 appropriation for OSLAD purposes.

The membership of IAPD has met the challenge in supporting this program from inception and actively growing this program over the past number of years. At this time, exploratory discussions are going on to seek an increase in the real estate transfer tax that could lead to an even larger investment in local governments' abilities to acquire open space for park and recreation use. With the rapid expansion and urbanization of Illinois, it is clear that we must keep up with the public's demand to set aside open space for park and recreation purposes. As development marches forward, the acquisition of these important natural and park areas is critical if we are to maintain the quality of life that Illinoisans have become accustomed to. It is in fact the availability of recreation services that attracts many people and businesses to our state. The value that a community puts on park and recreation services is typically reflected in the high quality and character of a community.

Several years ago, the Illinois Association of Park Districts and the Trust for Public Lands conducted a study entitled "Land at Risk," which detailed the need for park, forest preserve and conservation agencies to acquire open space just to keep up with the expansion of Illinois' population into new areas of the state. It is critical with the escalating costs of land that the OSLAD program move forward with an even stronger base of funding. Your legislators deserve special thanks this year for their commitment to support the OSLAD program, both from fund sweeps and with an increased appropriation. It is clear that

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their involvement with the goals of your park district, forest preserve, conservation or recreation agency makes the difference when they travel to Springfield to consider the important budget issues that face the state of Illinois.

Tell Your Story

I would also like to thank you for your involvement in this year's advocacy effort to "Tell Your Story in 2006." Park districts, forest preserves, conservation and recreation agencies across the state responded to a call to tell their story in order to educate members of the community, policymakers and lawmakers about their agencies. Many districts set up a tour of their parks and facilities for lawmakers and members of the media. Agencies also have begun to share their seasonal brochures and have included legislators on their VIP mailing lists.

Your response to calls to involve your legislators in the annual legislative conference and your participation in Parks Day at the Capitol has made a big difference in educating members of the General Assembly about the importance of parks and recreation throughout the state of Illinois.

Your participation in legislative breakfasts for legislators running for office in your area and your efforts to keep your legislators aware of issues affecting your agency and its ability to serve the community have been unparalleled this year.

As we look forward to a new year, you will also have the opportunity to involve your legislators in one of the most impressive park and recreation conferences in the United States. This year the IAPD/IPRA Annual Conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency -Chicago and the luncheon will be held on Friday, January 26, 2007. Please use this opportunity to further involve your legislators in the field of parks and recreation. We cannot take for granted that people understand what we do or appreciate the scope of the facilities and programs that we provide to our communities. I would encourage each of you to continue to tell your story in 2007. It is an important story and one that deserves to be shared.

Research

The Illinois Association of Park Districts continues to seek meaningful research projects that can generate information you can use at the local level. The latest effort entitled Parks and Recreation Employs Illinois has been highlighted throughout the year in this column and has been supported by a new billboard partnership program that shares critical economic information with the Illinois public. The partnership with local park districts in funding this billboard program is receiving rave reviews. If your agency would like to participate in this program, please call the IAPD offices.

Illinois park districts, forest preserves, conservation agencies, and municipal park and recreation agencies in Illinois employ a total of 62,900 people each year. There are 54,000 part-time employees hired by agencies in Illinois, which means that Illinois park districts and forest preserves are a major employer of Illinois youth. I urge you to share the Parks and Recreation Employs Illinois study with service groups in your community and with other policymakers and members of the Illinois General Assembly.

This year, the Illinois Association of Park Districts hired the University of Illinois to conduct statewide research on Illinois citizens' perception of public parks and recreation. This study has now been completed and the results will be released at the 2007 IAPD/IPRA Annual Conference. Preliminary findings suggest that there is a very high level of citizen appreciation and support for Illinois park districts. In addition, the study reviews information about special districts in Illinois and the important role park districts play as part of that system of local governance.

Legislative Survey

The Legislative Survey, which determines the types of legislative initiatives that your association will carry forward, has been sent to the director of every agency in Illinois. If you have not received a copy, please contact me. If your agency has not yet responded to the survey, I encourage you to do so. It is important in two respects: first, we need to know what issues are confronting you at the local level; second, the information that you provide is accumulated every two years so that we can determine trends that impact park and recreation agencies over an extended period. It is not too late to send in your survey. So, please do, if you have not yet had the opportunity.

Again, Thank You

Finally, I would once again like to thank all of the directors and citizen board members who participated in the association's advocacy efforts throughout the year. Your role in advocating for parks and recreation exists at the local, state and national levels, and it is indeed important that you participate. When we speak together on these issues, our voices have always been heard. We are blessed to have an Illinois General Assembly with members who are very committed to parks and recreation and its growth. Their support is a tribute to your involvement in your communities and your communication with policymakers on issues that your agency faces.

As we move into 2007, let's re-dedicate ourselves to telling the story of our agencies and to continuing to provide high quality facilities and recreation programs to the communities we serve.

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