Waukegan Park District Profile
Chartered
Established by local referendum on December 26, 1916 as a special purpose unit of government as provided by the Illinois Park District Code.
Governance
An elected Board of Park Commissioners consisting of 5 members constitutes the governing board of the Park District. Commissioners are elected to serve 6-year term. Commissioners serve without receiving any compensation.
Officers
Commissioners elect from among themselves a President, Vice President and a Treasurer. The President, Vice President and Treasurer serve 1-year terms.
Appointed Officials
Commissioners appoint an Executive Director and an Attorney/Secretary. The Executive Director serves as the chief executive officer for the Park District and carries out the policies of the Board.
Boundaries
Park District is approximately coterminous with the City of Waukegan north of Tenth Street. The Park District also includes most of the Waukegan Township and portions of Benton, Warren, Newport, and Libertyville Townships, and portions of Beach Park and Gurnee Villages. The Park District boundaries encompass approximately 21 square miles.
Population:
Park District population is approximately 90,900 (2000).
Real Estate
Equalized assessed value of real estate for 2009 is $1,562,796,981.
Tax Rate
Levy year 2009 - $0.645 per $100 of assessed value.
Fiscal Year Budget
Proposed operating and capital budget for FY 2010-11 is $21,798,662. The fiscal year begins on May 1 and concludes on April 30.
Bond Rating
Moody’s Rating Service rates the 2004 Bond Issue, 2005 Bond Issue, 2008B Bond Issue and 2009 bond Issue as A1.
Park Resources
The district has 47 properties and control of 720 acres of land, which includes the 18-hole Bonnie Brook Golf Course and the 9-hole Greenshire Golf Course. Other park resources include a bird sanctuary, nature preserve and a greenhouse. The District operates 3 recreation centers: Belvidere Recreation Center, Bevier Center, the Community Recreation Center (leased by The Boys & Girls Club of Lake County) and the Field House Sports and Fitness Center at Hinkston Park, as well as the Jack Benny Center for the Arts, an outdoor swimming pool (Howard E. Ganster), the Waukegan History Museum, 1 rental hall (Jane Addams Center), 15 ball diamonds, 6 soccer fields, 13 tennis courts, 12 picnic areas, 7 picnic shelters, 32 playgrounds, 14 basketball courts, 1 skate park, 1 BMX track, 1 disc golf course and 1 fitness center.
Programs and Services
Provides a full range of activities and services year round. Major recreation programs include athletics, music, visual arts, dance, drama, day camps, fitness, preschools, outdoor recreation, trips, and special events. Programs and services are provided for special populations such as senior citizens and individuals with disabilities. The District sponsors the Waukegan Symphony Orchestra and Concert Chorus. The District also sponsors the Bowen Park Theatre Company.
Staffing
Sixty-one authorized full-time staff and over 250 part-time, year round, seasonal and temporary employees.
Affiliations
National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD), and Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA).
