HR0906 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0906 LRB094 19520 HSS 55434 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the House of Representatives of the State of Illinois are pleased to honor Chuck Balling for his many years of service to the Gurnee Park District; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Balling holds a B.S. degree in parks and recreation administration from Eastern Illinois University and a Master of Arts degree from DePaul University, School for New Learning, with a concentration in marketing and new venture management; he received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Eastern Illinois University's Recreation Department in 1989; and

WHEREAS, He has been the Executive Director of the Gurnee Park District since December 1996; the Park District operates 23 parks and owns over 300 acres of open space and provides a full range of activities and programs; it employs 37 full-time employees and over 200 part-time and seasonal employees; the District opened a 1,500-bather capacity outdoor family aquatic center in 2001; currently, the Park District is constructing a 40,000-square-foot community center; and

WHEREAS, The Gurnee Park District received the 2002 Outstanding Aquatics Facility and Parks Award Division III from the Illinois Park and Recreation Association and the 2004 Excellence in Aquatics Award Class V from the National Park and Recreation Association; in January 1999, the Illinois Park and Recreation Association named Mr. Balling Professional of the Year; and

WHEREAS, Prior to his service at Gurnee, Mr. Balling served as the Director of Leisure Services for the Elmhurst Park District from 1987 through 1996; during his tenure, the Elmhurst Park District was honored with several prestigious awards including the 1992 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management; and

WHEREAS, Prior to his position at Elmhurst, he served as Superintendent of Leisure Services at the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District and as the Acting Superintendent of Recreation, Program Manager, and Recreation Supervisor for the Naperville Park District; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Balling's accomplishments have been centered on the development of new leisure programs and facilities that are customer-oriented; he's been involved with the construction and renovation of a community center, two fitness centers, an ice arena, and outdoor pools; and

WHEREAS, He has instructed classes at the College of DuPage, George Williams College, and Eastern Illinois University; he has conducted workshops and programs at the Athletic Business Conference, Club Industry, Western Revenue Sources Management School, the International Aquatic School, the N.R.P.A. Marketing School, the Illinois Park and Recreation Association State Conference, the Maine Parks and Recreation Association, and the New York Parks and Recreation Society; he has authored numerous articles on parks, recreation, and fitness, and in 1993, he was one of three American citizens who were invited to make presentations at the International Marketing Conference for Health and Fitness Managers in Moscow, Russia; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we honor Chuck Balling for his many years of service to the Gurnee Park District; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Mr. Balling as an expression of our esteem.