Riley Receives “Outstanding Legislator of the Year” by the Illinois Association of Park Districts

  • Accepting IAPD award
  • Admiring IAPD award
  • With IAPD President
  • Commissioner Nevins acceptance speech
  • With Commissioner Nevins
  • IAPD social media
  • With H-F Park District host
  • With Senator Bertino-Tarrant
  • Speaking with colleagues

Via Press Release – January 26, 2015

OLYMPIA FIELDS, Ill – State Rep. Al Riley received the “Outstanding Legislator of the Year” Award by the Illinois Association of Park Districts.

IAPD President & CEO, Peter Murphy presented the award to Representative Riley at their Annual Conference in downtown Chicago on January 21st. In his presentation, Mr. Murphy stated “Since joining the General Assembly in 2007, Assistant Majority Leader Al Riley has been one of IAPD’s strongest allies. As a member of the both committees that handles local government matters for the House, Leader Riley has been a consistent and reliable voice on issues that affect park districts, forest preserves, conservation, recreation and special recreation agencies.”

In his acceptance speech, Representative Riley stated that a strong park or forest preserve district “adds value to communities”.   He also asked attendees to continue to advocate for state funds to improve parks through the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) program. Riley said that he hoped that the OSLAD program funds “are not held hostage, and that the deserving districts who were awarded receive their dedicated funds with all deliberate speed”. The OSLAD program is a 50-50 local and state match between a park district and the Department of Natural Resources. He further stated, “Those districts have done their job. Now it’s up to DNR and the Executive Branch to do theirs.”

Also recognized at the luncheon was outgoing Homewood-Flossmoor Park District Commissioner Patrick Nevins for his long time support. Nevins started out as a volunteer and then was elected Commissioner in 1997. The H-F Park District also received third place for the “Agency Showcase Best in Show” award for both Social Media and Brochure Series.

For more information, please contact Riley by email at [email protected] or by phone at (708) 799-4364.

 

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Click HERE for the PDF version of the press release.