ANNUAL REPORT 2012

Like the stream, persistence is one of the characteristics that has kept the Illinois Association of Park Districtsat the pinnacle of the park district, forest preserve, conservation, recreation and special recreation industry for 84 years.

IAPD proudly serves nearly 2,200 board members and directors at more than 360 park districts, forestpreserves, conservation, recreation and special recreation agencies throughout Illinois. In a state that is 390 mileslong and 219 miles wide, we are challenged with delivering to our members, no matter where they are, programsand services that are of high value and easily accessible.

We have been persistent in meeting this challenge. This year, IAPD broke new ground by bringing one of our most popular educational programs, the Legal

Symposium, directly to our members through a live streaming opportunity. Those who were not able to travel toOak Brook for the symposium could register to watch it in real time, from the comfort and convenience of theiroffices or homes.

We added more webinars to our educational curriculum, so that sessions on park district finances, legalrequirements and issues facing our membership could be accessed across the miles.

Our website continues to provide a constant flow of information, keeping our members current with newspertinent to parks, recreation and conservation. The new Healthy Lifestyles section brings a wealth of health and wellness tips to our members. Agencies are encouraged to share these motivational articles and links onexercise, nutrition, recipes and other aspects of wellness with their citizens as we work together to address theobesity epidemic.

In 2012, IAPD’s legislative advocacy and grant programs thrived, protecting our members and providing themnew opportunities for growth with more than $12.3 million in OSLAD grants and $35,000 in PowerPlay! grants.

We are riding the social media wave with an active Facebook, Twitter and YouTube presence, where memberscan share ideas, read the latest park-related news, view pictures and videos and keep pace with trends in the field.And, the IAPD App and QR Codes are convenient channels to a variety of resources designed to assist park boardmembers and professionals in providing the best possible programs and services to their citizens.

It was a great year, with over 11,000 people statewide attending our educational programs, public awarenessevents and networking opportunities.

It has been said that individually we are one drop, but together we are an ocean. The following pages reflectthe success of our efforts in 2012, none of which would have been possible without the support of our members.

It is our privilege to serve you in advancing parks, recreation and conservation in Illinois.

LINDA M. JOHNSONChairman

2 www.ILparks.org

PETER M. MURPHYPresident/CEO

PHOTO CREDITS: Cover: Stephanie McDonald, Oak Forest Park District; Buffalo Grove Park District; Rockford Park District; Page 5: Mike Yarnell, Park District of Franklin Park

Our Mission The Illinois Association of Park Districts is a non-profit service,research and education organization that serves park districts, forest preserves, conservation,recreation and special recreation agencies. The association advances these agencies, their citizenboard members and professional staff in their ability to provide outstanding park and recreationopportunities, preserve natural resources and improve the quality of life for all people in Illinois.

Our Vision As a national leader, the Illinois Association of Park Districts willprovide superb association services to its members.

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Keeping Current at the CapitolThe Illinois Association of Park Districts is a steadfast anchor in the shifting tides of thelegislative arena. IAPD has a solid reputation as an honest and reliable source oflegislative information for our membership, the media, the Illinois General Assembly,the Governor and members of Congress.

This year, IAPD successfully:• Lobbied for the passage of House Bill 587, which ensures that park districts can continue to exercise the

flexibility needed to effectively work within tax cap constraints for their corporate and recreation tax levies.

• Protected members from numerous legislative proposals that threatened local revenues such as Senate Bills2073 and 2862, which would have had devastating long-term implications by precluding tax capped districtswith declining property values from capturing the CPI increase to their extension limitation.

• Negotiated amendments to Senate Bill 3727 to require the Department of Public Health to review swimmingfacility construction permit applications more quickly, substantially reduce or eliminate most fees for memberagencies, and ensure that local governments are exempt from criminal and civil penalties.

• Prevented unfunded mandates that would have exposed IAPD members to millions of dollars in potential liabilityand unreasonable legal requirements.

• Advocated for the release of the 2012 OSLAD grants, which were ultimately awarded to 42 agencies in the totalamount of $12,354,600.

• Assisted in coordinating more than 10 legislative breakfasts, giving board members and professionals anopportunity to meet with state senators and representatives to discuss current issues facing their districts.

• Responded to more than 400 legal inquiries and sent out more than 40 legislative alerts, updates and legal newsbriefs to the IAPD membership, keeping them apprised of legislative developments, grant opportunities, newlaws and regulations and much more.

639the number of bills

tracked by IAPD in 2012

3,707the number of bill

introductions reviewed by IAPD in 2012

IAPD and its members join GovernorPat Quinn at a news conference announcing the release of OSLADfunds on June 23 in Chicago ParkDistrict’s Columbus Park.

4 www.ILparks.org

Waves of Educational OpportunitiesHelping our members explore and embrace the opportunities new waters bring through timely, reputableeducational programs is an IAPD specialty. Our workshops, webinars and publications keep Illinois parkboard members and professionals among the nation’s best.

• The 2012 Soaring to New Heights annual conference at the Hyatt Regency Chicago educated more than 4,300 park, recreation andconservation agency board members, professionals, staff, students and legislators with hundreds of sessions regarding the latest trends inthe field.

• IAPD provided more than 50 educational programs in 2012, including Financial Best Practices, Board Powers and Duties, Strategies for EffectiveBoard Meetings, Avoiding Legal Problems with Social Networking, Intergovernmental Agreements, Regulation of Park Construction Sites and Wind and SolarPower Applications for Park Agencies.

• The 34th Annual Legislative Conference and Reception gave more than 400 attendees expert perspectives on the state and national politicalscenes, tips on working with legislators, resources for funding green initiatives and a comprehensive review of pending legislation.

• IAPD’s Solving ‘Board Games’ – Building an Effective Board featured Nancy Sylvester, a professional registered parliamentarian, who trained bothnew and seasoned board members on conducting better board meetings, understanding board responsibilities, fiduciary accountability,board/staff relationships and more.

• Our Legal Symposium acquainted more than 275 attendees with top legal experts who guided them through updates on employment and labor law, copyright laws, social media issues and recent court decisions and new laws impacting IAPD member agencies.

IAPD broke new ground in 2012 with an Association first – the Legal Symposium was offered as a live stream, so that members who couldnot travel to this important educational program had the luxury of watching it in real time, from the comfort of their homes or offices.

• More than 300 people welcomed IAPD’s educational sessions into their offices and homes through our series of webinars on the latestlegal requirements, IMRF updates and park district finances.

• IAPD partnered with the Illinois Municipal League and the Illinois Community College Trustees Association to present five Good GovernanceWorkshops throughout the state. Topics included Open Meetings and Freedom of Information Act, civility and boardmanship, ethics andconflict of interest.

• Illinois Park District Financial Procedures and the Guide to Illinois Sunshine Laws were added to IAPD’s library of resources this year, providing awealth of information to keep Illinois board members and professionals among the most knowledgeable in the country.

could

PartnershipsCoalition building is one of the IAPD’s greatest strengths. Our strategic partnerships unite Illinoispark, recreation and conservation agencies with allied organizations that share our mission, visionand goals.

Our 2012 partners include:

- Arts Alliance Illinois - Illinois Municipal League

- Chicago Wilderness - National Recreation and Park Association

- Earth Share of Illinois - The Nature Conservancy

- Illinois Community College Trustees Association - Openlands

- Illinois Department of Natural Resources - Partners for Parks and Wildlife

Money-Saving Programs and GrantsThe Illinois Association of Park Districts is dedicated to researching and developing grantopportunities and money-saving programs that stretch our members’ park, recreation andconservation dollars as far as they can go, even in the stormiest of economic times.

• IAPD continued to advocate for the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Fund (OSLAD) and the Natural Areas Acquisition Fund (NAAF) to ensure suitable funding. IAPD’s efforts resulted in $12.3 million in OSLAD grants awarded to member agencies.

• Park District Youth License Plates are flying down Illinois’ highways on more than 1,000 vehicles. The youth plate program generated $35,000 inPowerPlay! grants for IAPD member agencies to use for their beyond-school programs that promote health, fitness and nutrition.

• Forty-six Eagle Eye Neighborhood Park Watch Programs are saving agencies in 13 states thousands of dollars in expenses associated with crime and vandalism.

• In 2012, more than 600 Friends of Illinois Parks contributed to the protection and enhancement of parks, open space and the quality of life in Illinois.

• The Friends of Illinois Parks’ Eleventh Annual Summer Golf Tour brought together nearly 400 golfers, corporate sponsors and guests for networking andfundraising to benefit Friends programs and research.

• IAPD continued to strengthen relationships with several organizations to offer our member agencies discounted prices on products and services. Our 2012 affinity programs include:

- Bank of America Merchant Services — offering a specially negotiated program of card processing services.

- Call One — a single-source telecommunications provider and the nation’s largest reseller of AT&T products and services.

- Chase Direct Payment Card — an account-based, low-cost solution designed specifically for government employees who would like the convenienceof direct deposit but do not have a bank account. Employees can easily access their pay at ATMs and retail locations, and this debit card can beused to make purchases anywhere Visa is accepted.

- IAPD Energy Program — an agreement with Seven Utility Management Consultants, Ltd. to provide professional consulting services for the purchaseof electricity and natural gas.

- IPARKS — a local government risk-sharing pool, providing park districts throughout the state with an alternative to traditional insurance. IPARKSis tailored to meet the specific property and liability coverage needs of Illinois park districts and recreation agencies.

- IPDLAF+ Class — offers a professionally managed portfolio with a competitive money market rate and unlimited checkwriting privileges. The Fundstresses “safety of principal” as the number one objective and has earned a AAAm rating by Standard & Poor's.

- Purchasing Card — a specialized credit card that enables agencies to streamline the buying process.

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$430,450the total amount of PowerPlay!

grants IAPD has awarded to its

member agencies since the Park

District Youth License Plate Program,

which funds the grant, began

6 www.ILparks.org

A Flood of Public Awareness OpportunitiesIAPD’s extensive public awareness programs carry waves of positive messages about parks, recreation and conservation to the public, media and legislators.

• Parks Day at the Capitol sold out this year, with more than 50 park districts, forest preserves, conservation, recreation and special recreationagencies showcasing their programs, services and natural areas with the theme: Parks, Recreation and Open Space – More Than Fun & Games.

• More than 4,500 people throughout Illinois attended Flying 4 KIDS kite fly events, which promoted our agencies’ parks and facilities and the Park District Youth License Plate.

• The 19th annual Park District Conservation Day brought nearly 600 representatives of Illinois park, recreation and conservation agencies tothe Illinois State Fair. Agencies showcased their outstanding programs to nearly 140,000 fairgoers at eight high-traffic areas throughoutthe fairgrounds.

The Park District Conservation Day team took second place in the annual Park Pentathlon and Recreation Relay at the Illinois State Fair. The friendly competition featured several teams competing in basketball, disc golf, soccer, hockey and golf.

• More than 250 guests joined IAPD for an inspiring Best of the Best Awards Gala, celebrating park commissioners, businesses, media andcitizen volunteers throughout Illinois who diligently support the park, recreation and conservation mission.

• The Illinois Association of Park Districts’ 2012 Golf Guide showcased our members’ golf course information including par, rating, slope, feesand highlights of each course.

977the total number of years

served by commissioners

who were nominated for service

anniversary awards in 2012

creatio

Service that Propels our Members to GreatnessProviding the services and tools our members need to do their jobs better is what the IAPD does best. Our exclusive programs are designed to keep our agencies afloat in the ever-changing world of park districts,forest preserves, conservation, recreation and special recreation agencies.

• IAPD’s popular Board Development and Self-Evaluation Program – customized to fit an agency’s specific needs - continued to be one of our mostpopular programs in 2012. This year, we assisted numerous boards in defining roles and responsibilities, describing duties for oversight andgovernance and determining leadership within their agencies.

• Our Director Search Program guided a wide variety of park agencies in one of their greatest responsibilities – hiring an executive director.

• The IAPD staff promptly responded to thousands of member phone calls, e-mails and letters regarding board matters, design/build and employment issues, legal questions, organizing a park district and more.

• IAPD counseled agencies in submitting grant applications.

• IAPD assisted agencies requesting strategic planning and goal-setting sessions.

103the total number of

Director Searches conducted by the

Illinois Association of Park Districts

since the program’s inception

nd more.

95%the percentage of participants

that made contact with their

legislators on or before

Parks Day at the Capitol

2012 IAPD BOARD OF TRUSTEESCHAIRMAN

Linda Johnson, Crete Park District

CHAIRMAN-ELECTDon Andersen, Oak Lawn Park District

IMMEDIATE PAST-CHAIRMANWally Frasier, Mundelein Park & Recreation District

VICE-CHAIRMENDiane Main, Westmont Park District

Nathaniel “Nate” Martin, Rockford Park District

Joseph Petry, Champaign Park District

TREASURERGray Noll, Springfield Park District

SERGEANT-AT-ARMSEric Entler, Park District of Forest Park

TRUSTEESTom Barz, Frankfort Park District

Gayle Cinke, Grayslake Community Park District

Ken Collin, Freeport Park District

Carolyn Edley, East Saint Louis Park District

John Hoscheit, Forest Preserve District of Kane County

Ian Larkin, Winnetka Park District

Ron Lehman, Channahon Park District

David McDevitt, Effingham Park District

Chris Riley, Decatur Park District

Frank Scarpelli, Dundee Township Park District

Mike Vogl, Bloomingdale Park District

IAPD STAFFPeter M. Murphy

President and Chief Executive Officer

Jason AnselmentLegal/Legislative Counsel

Cindy DeitersMarketing Director

Lori HarlanPublications Director

Bobbie Jo HillPublic Relations Director

Alan HowardFinance Director

Sherri KhileExecutive Secretary

Shannon SartainLegal Secretary

Sue TriphahnEducational Services and Conference Director

Our MembershipThe Illinois Association of Park Districts’ membership is comprised of 290 park districts, 9 forest preserves, 7 conservation districts, 1 state agency, 30 city parkand recreation agencies, 25 special recreationassociations and 112 corporate members.

Financials

Expenses $2,017,000

Personnel 44%

Office Administration 11%

Member Relations & Programs 25%

Legal & Legislative 4%

Education & Research 8%

Public Relations & Tech. Assistance 5%

Obligated Funds 3%

Revenue $2,017,000

Dues 54%

Conference 11%

Education/Publications 11%

Interest/Affinity Programs 15%

Tech. Assistance/Mbr Programs 6%

Rent/Other 3%

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Electric CurrentsIAPD is there for our membership - no matter where they are - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our resources can be accessed at the touch of a button through the FREE IAPD App, QR Codes, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and flickr. These electronic forms of communication enable our members to easily access:

• the IAPD Career Center, a new section of our website for posting or searching park, recreation andconservation-related jobs

• the Legal Assistance page on IAPD’s website, featuring practice tools, member inquiries, publicresources, calendars, legal news and much more

• news feeds including timely legislative and grant information

• contact information for colleagues and other park agencies throughout the state

• photos and videos from IAPD programs and events

This year, IAPD unveiled Healthy Lifestyles, a new online resource that provides useful articles, links andtips about health, fitness and nutrition. As park agencies step up to lead the fight against obesity andpromote healthy living throughout Illinois, IAPD encourages our member agencies to pullinformation from the Healthy Lifestyles site to supplement health and wellness classes,for use in program brochures and to post throughout recreational facilities. HEALTHY

LIFESTYLES

Park Districts53 Trails EstatesAddisonAlbionAlsipArlington HeightsArmington CommunityArthur CommunityBaileyBarringtonBarrington CountrysideBartlettBataviaBeardstown CommunityBedford ParkBelvidereBensenvilleBenton CommunityBerwynBig RockBlack HawkBloomingdaleBlue IslandBlue MoundBolingbrookBourbonnais TownshipBraidwoodBridgeviewBroadview BrookeridgeBuffalo GroveBurbankBurlington TownshipBurr RidgeBushnellButterfieldByronCalumet MemorialCantonCapsCarbondaleCarlinvilleCarol StreamCaryCentral StickneyChampaignChannahonChestnut BeasonChicagoChicago HeightsChicago RidgeChili TownshipChillicotheClarendon HillsClark CountyClydeCollinsvilleColoma TownshipColonaCommunity, LaGrange ParkCordova TownshipCountry Club HillsCreteCreston-DementCrystal LakeDecaturDeerfieldDeKalbDelavan TownshipDes PlainesDixonDoltonDowners GroveDundee TownshipDunleithEast OaklandEast St. LouisEdinburgEffinghamElba-SalemEldorado-RaleighElk Grove

ElmhurstFairfieldFlagg-RochelleFlanaganFon du LacForest ParkForest ViewFormanFossFox ValleyFrankfortFrankfort CommunityFrankfort SquareFranklin ParkFranklin TownshipFreeburgFreeportGeneseo CommunityGenevaGenoa TownshipGermantownGlencoeGlen EllynGlen Ellyn CountrysideGlenviewGodleyGolf MaineGolfview HillsGrand TowerGrandwoodGranite CityGrayslake CommunityGreater BrownstownGriggsvilleGurneeHamiltonHampshireHanna CityHanover ParkHarrisburg TownshipHarveyHavanaHawthorneHazel CrestHennepinHerrinHickory HillsHighland ParkHoffman EstatesHollisHomewood FlossmoorHornerHuntleyHutsonvilleInvernessItascaIvanhoeJolietJusticeKankakee ValleyKewaneeKingsburyKingston TownshipLa GrangeLa HarpeLafayetteLake BluffLan-OakLemontLena CommunityLighthouseLewistownLimestoneLincolnLindenhurstLitchfieldLockport TownshipLombardLong GroveMcCookMacombManhattan

MarionMarkhamMason CityMason TownshipMattoon TownshipMaywoodMedinahMemorialMetamoraMetro EastMidlothianMilford TownshipMokena CommunityMomenceMonmouthMortonMorton GroveMt. Hope-Funks GroveMt. ProspectMt. Pulaski TownshipMt. SterlingMundeleinMurphysboroNapervilleNeoga TownshipNew AthensNew LenoxNilesNokomis CommunityNorridgeNorth BerwynNorthbrookNorthfieldOak BrookOak ForestOak LawnOak ParkOctaviaOdellOlympia FieldsOregonOswegolandPalatinePark RidgePaxtonPearl CityPekinPeoriaPeotonePhoenixPick SubdivisionPitman TownshipPlainfield TownshipPosenPrincetonProphetstownProspect HeightsPutman TownshipQuincyRantoulRidgevilleRiver TrailsRoanokeRobbinsRockfordRolling MeadowsRoselleRosemontRound Lake AreaRoxana CommunitySalt Creek RuralSandwichSavannaSchaumburgSewardSkokieSouth BarringtonSpringfieldSt. CharlesSt. JacobSterlingStites Township

StoningtonStreamwoodSugar GroveSummitSumpter TownshipSycamoreTaylorvilleTeutopolisTinley ParkTolonoTolucaTremont AreaTri-StateTri-TownshipUrbanaVandaliaVeniceVernon HillsVeteransWalnutWard's CreekWarrenvilleWarsawWashingtonWaterlooWatsekaWaucondaWaukeganWestchesterWest ChicagoWestern SpringsWestmontWheatonWheelingWildwoodWilmetteWilmingtonWinfieldWinnebagoWinnetkaWinslow TownshipWood DaleWoodridgeWorthZion

Forest Preserve DistrictsByronChampaign CountyDuPage CountyKane CountyKankakee River ValleyLake CountyRock Island CountyWill CountyWinnebago County

Conservation DistrictsBoone CountyMacon CountyMcHenry CountyNorth ForkPutnam CountyRend LakeVermilion County

State Agencies IL Dept. of Natural Resources

City Park & Recreation AgenciesAntiochBeach ParkBerwynBrookfieldCarlyleCharlestonEdwardsvilleEurekaEvergreen ParkGlendale HeightsGodfreyHawthorn Woods

211 E. Monroe Street Springfield, IL 62701-1186 Phone 217.523.4554 Fax 217.523.4273 www.ILparks.orgPrinted on recycled paper

Illinois Association of Park Districts Members

HinsdaleLake in the HillsLincolnwoodNormalNorth RiversideOrland ParkPalos HeightsPontiacRiversideRock IslandRomeovilleShorewoodSouth ElginSouth HollandVernon TownshipWarren TownshipWayneWestern Springs

Special Recreation AssociationsChampaign-UrbanaDeKalb-SycamoreFox ValleyGatewayHeart of IllinoisJoliet-BolingbrookJoliet-ChannahonLincolnwayMaine-Niles AssociationNortheast DuPageNorthern IllinoisNorthern SuburbanNorthwestOak LawnRiver ValleyRockfordSouth SuburbanSEASPARSouth WestSRA of Central Lake CountySRA of Northern Lake CountyTri-CountyWarrenWest SuburbanWestern DuPage

Corporate Members2nd Wind Exercise3-D Design StudioAll Paws Pet WashAmerican Red CrossAncel, Glink, Diamond, Bush, DiCianni &

Krafthefer, P.C.Aqua Pure EnterprisesBarefoot Group, Inc.Brian Wismer Entertainment, Inc.Brooks, Tarulis, Schaffer & Tibble, LLCBrown, Hay & Stephens, LLPBurnham & FlowerCall OneChainsaw Safety Specialists, LLCChapman & CutlerChase BankCobaltConsolidated Electrical DistributorsCorporate Construction ServicesCowhey ManhardCunningham RecreationCurrent TechnologiesDewberryDK OrganicsDLA ArchitectsE. Cooney Associates, Inc.Ehlers & Associates, Inc.Energy Resources Center, University of IL

at ChicagoEnterprise Fleet ManagementEriksson Engineering AssociatesESI Consultants, Ltd.Executive Service CorpsFarnsworth Group, Inc.FGM Architects

Floors IncorporatedFranczek Radelet P.C.George Sollitt Construction Company, TheGeorge Williams College of AuroraGewalt-Hamilton Associates, Inc.Goodmark Nurseries LLCGold Medal ProductsHalogen Supply CompanyHenry Bros. Co.Herschel's Supply Co.Hervas, Condon & Bersani, P.C.Hinshaw & Culbertson LLPHitchcock Design GroupHodges, Loizzi, Eisenhammer, et alHomer IndustriesHoving Pit Stop, Inc.Howard L. White & AssociatesIL Bus SalesIL Dept. of CMS--Local Government

Health PlanIL Metropolitan Investment FundIL Paddling CouncilJaffe Films, Inc.John DeereKafka GraniteKids First Sports Safety, Inc.Knutte & AssociatesKonica Minolta Business Solutions, Inc.Lakota Group, TheLamp IncorporatedLauterbach & AmenLavelle Law, Ltd.Leopardo Companies, Inc.Links Technology Solutions, Inc.McGinty Bros., Inc.Mesirow Financial Inc.Midwest Transit EquipmentMonroe Truck Equipment, Inc.Mulch Center, TheMusco Sports LightingNorwalk Concrete IndustriesNuToys Leisure ProductsOak Lawn Parks FoundationOpenlandsOttosen Britz Kelly Cooper & GilbertPDRMAPerennial Park ProductsPFM Asset ManagementPHN ArchitectsPizzo & Associates, Ltd.Planning ResourcesPMA Financial Network, Inc.Poo Free ParksPower Equipment LeasingPro Ap Products by Frick Services, Inc.Professional Fitness ConceptsRatio ArchitectsRenoSys CorporationRobert W. Baird & CompanyRon & Sandie Show, TheSafari LandSeven Utility ManagementSikich LLPSpear CorporationSpeer Financial Inc.Sport Court MidwestSportable ScoreboardsStantec Consulting Services Inc.Studio 222 ArchitectsTeam REILTechline Sports Lighting, LLCTraneTressler LLPTurface AthleticsV3 CompaniesWholesale Uniform GroupWilliam Blair & Co.Williams Associates ArchitectsWRD EnvironmentalW-T Engineering Inc.

New members for 2012 denoted by bold & italic type