HR1307 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1307 LRB099 22054 GRL 49334 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate John W. Wilson on the occasion of his retirement as Director of the Lan-Oak Park District; and

WHEREAS, John Wilson's very first job was as a golf caddie at Danville Country Club at the age of ten; he thoroughly enjoyed the parks and recreation field at an early age; and

WHEREAS, John Wilson attended Illinois State University, majoring in Recreation and Park Administration; soon after graduation, he took a job as a Recreation Planner at the Danville Park District; and

WHEREAS, John Wilson was employed as Director of Parks and Recreation at Chicago Ridge Park District and Grayslake Park District; and

WHEREAS, During John Wilson's tenure, he received the President's Award in 1985 while at Chicago Ridge; he also initiated Grayslake's first ever park development program; and

WHEREAS, John Wilson continued his work until he was called to serve as Superintendent of the LaGrange Park District for two years; and

WHEREAS, John Wilson was one of the founding fathers of the Southwest Special Recreation Association; and

WHEREAS, During his parks and recreation career, John Wilson received grants for more than $26 million in park improvements; he was also awarded DePaul University's Chaddick Institute Award for Metropolitan Development; and

WHEREAS, John Wilson ended his career with 17 years as Director of Parks and Recreation at Lan-Oak Park District in Lansing; and

WHEREAS, While serving as Director of Parks and Recreation at Lan-Oak Park District, John Wilson renovated the Eisenhower Recreation and Fitness Center and spearheaded the Pennsey Greenway bike path running from Calumet City to Indiana; and

WHEREAS, John Wilson negotiated land donations from developers exceeding $6 million for new parks and acquisition of a private swimming pool funding by the Illinois Build Program; and

WHEREAS, John Wilson is an active member of the Illinois Parks and Recreation Foundation Board, the South Suburban Park and Recreation Professional Association, the Save a Life Foundation, the PADS Homeless Shelter, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission, the Chicago Southland Convention and Visitors Bureau's Sports Commission, and many others; and

WHEREAS, John Wilson retired from public service in April of 2016 after more than 30 years of service; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Director John W. Wilson on the occasion of his retirement and thank him for his years of dedication and service to the communities he has helped throughout his career; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to the John Wilson as a token of our respect.