Citizens group begins push for Joliet Park District referendum

JOLIET – A local initiative to pass the Joliet Park District's $19.5 million referendum on the Nov. 4 ballot has begun in earnest.

“Vote Yes Protect Our Parks” has started getting information out to the public about planned safety and security improvements at 21 local parks, as well as resurfacing of roads and trails at Pilcher Park; construction of an East Side recreation center and a multipurpose building at Inwood Park; and reforestation efforts.

“We started putting out yard signs and things like that this week to bring attention to the opportunity,” said Terry D’Arcy, a Joliet automobile dealer leading the initiative. “Then we’re going to start speaking in front of churches and [to] homeowners groups to get the word out.”

D’Arcy said his last involvement on a referendum was in 2002, when local businesses and the Joliet Area Chamber of Commerce helped pass District 86’s $28 million referendum to build two new elementary schools and provide additions for two others.

“I feel as good about this one as I did about that one,” D’Arcy said. “It’s only about enhancing our community and making Joliet a better place to live.”

The district has emphasized funds would go toward capital improvements and not personnel, salaries or pensions. Also pulled from the referendum was a second sheet of ice at Inwood Park, a proposal that drew a lot of criticism when it initially was floated.

D’Arcy believes the park improvements eventually will translate into improved Joliet home values.

If the measure passes, residents would pay an additional $20.50 a year per $100,000 home value on the park district portion of their taxes.

Phone and mail surveys conducted earlier this year indicate that about 60 percent of voters would favor the referendum, with another 20 percent on the fence.