Established
On June 9, 1925, the Arlington Heights Park District was formed with Commissioners Nathaniel Banta, Henry Klehm, Eugene Berbecker, Albert Volz, and Julius Flentie.
Governed
By a community-elected, five member, Board of Commissioners, each of whom serves four years. Current Board consists of Maryfran H. Leno, President; Timothy A. Gelinas, Vice-President; Robert A. Nesvacil, Brian Owen, and one OPEN position as of 6-8-2021.
Boundaries
The 16.2‐square mile District is located in northern Cook County and southern Lake County, 27 miles northwest of downtown Chicago. It lies in Elk Grove and Wheeling Townships and is bordered by Buffalo Grove and Wheeling to the north; Elk Grove Village on the south; on the west by Rolling Meadows and Palatine; on the east by Mt. Prospect. The District serves most of Arlington Heights and small portions of Palatine, Mt. Prospect, Prospect Heights, Rolling Meadows, and Lake County.
Population
The Park District's population is approximately 75,249. It’s the third largest suburb in Cook County, the eighth largest suburb in the Chicago Metropolitan area and the twelfth largest community in the State of Illinois.
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Real Estate
The equalized assessed value of real estate for 2019 is $3,226,379,740 (most recent available).
Tax Rate
The tax rate for 2019 is $.457 per $100 of assessed value (most recent available).
Taxes
The Park District collects real estate property taxes to fund the general operation of the government. Information concerning the revenue sources of the Park District may be found in Financial Summary of the 2021/22 Annual Operating Budget.
» view Operating Budget
Fiscal Year Budget
The operating budget for 2021/22 is $24,299,180 with a net of $1,200,000 of interfund transfers with an additional $2,839,250 in capital/provision expenditures. The fiscal year begins May 1 and concludes on April 30. For more detail five years of the Park District Annual Operating Budget and Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports (CAFRs) are provided.
» View Financial Documents
Bond Rating
The District issues General Obligation Bonds periodically for capital improvements. In November 2018, the Park District's Aaa bond rating by Moody’s Investors Service was reaffirmed. The Aaa rating (highest rating available) will allow the Arlington Heights Park District to issue debt at the lowest possible interest rate as the organization has proven itself to be among the top tier of local governments in terms of financial strength, both in Illinois and nationally. Arlington Heights Park District joins a select number of high performing park districts at the Aaa rating level.
Public Meetings, Agendas and Minutes
View the current and archived Park Board Agendas, Minutes, and Hearings on the Arlington Heights Park District website.
Open Meeting Laws
The Park District falls under the provisions of the Illinois Open Meetings Act. All board, commission and committee meetings are open to the public and notice of the meetings is provided to the news media at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting. Notices of upcoming meetings are also published on the Park District's website. Questions regarding the Open Meetings Act may be addressed to the Executive Director’s Office at 847-577-3007.
Administrative Officials
All administrators and managers contact information is displayed in the Staff Directory.
Budgets/Audits
The Park District displays the current operating budget and the previous years audited financial statement in the Financial Documents. The Park District has received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award through Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for many years and continues to submit the budget on an annual basis. Questions regarding Park District finances may be addressed to the Director of Finance and Personnel at 847-506-7878.
Park District Employee Salary Ranges
The Board of Commissioners reviews full-time employee salary ranges by department annually as part of the budget process. The Park District’s organizational chart can be found in the Overview Section of the Park District Annual Operating Budget and the introductory section of Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports (CAFRs).
Requests for Proposal/Bids
The Arlington Heights Park District publishes Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and/or bid specifications for a variety of projects, programs and products. RFPs and Bids are published in local newspapers in compliance with local, state and federal laws.
Lobbying
The Park Board monitors legislation at the local, state and federal levels to stay abreast of issues that may affect the Park District. The Park District is a dues-paying member of numerous associations that may conduct legislative advocacy initiatives at the state and/or federal levels. These associations include the Illinois Association of Park Districts and the National Park and Recreation Association.
Public Records
The request for access to public records must be made in writing. A written request does not have to be made on a standard form, though the Arlington Heights Park District does provide a Freedom of Information Form online or at the Park District’s Administration Office at 410 North Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, Illinois 60004. You may submit your written request in person at the address listed below - or via mail, fax, or email.
Please submit your request to:
Kendra Maher, FOIA Officer
Arlington Heights Park District
410 N. Arlington Heights Road
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
Fax: 847-577-3050
Email: Freedom of Information
Privacy Policy
The Park District has created a Privacy Policy. The privacy statement was created in order to demonstrate our firm and continuing commitment to the privacy of personal information provided by those visiting and interacting with this site. We hold the privacy of your personal information in the highest regard.