Page 55 - Illinois Association of Park Districts Benefits of Membership 2017 - 2018

POSITION OF THE ILLINOIS ASSOCIATION OF PARK DISTRICTS
The economic impact of park districts, forest preserves, conservation and recreation agencies in Illinois
The issue
The Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD) contracted with Economics Research Associates (ERA) of Chicago to measure the economic impact generated by park districts, forest preserves, conservation and recreation agencies in Illinois.
ERA’s research revealed that public parks and recreation is a $3 billion industry in Illinois. There are more than 380 park districts, forest preserves, conservation and recreation agencies that provide the people of Illinois with publicly funded parks, nature preserves, trails, greenways, recreational programs, facilities and a host of other places for healthy recreation.
Background
Economic Research Associates’ findings revealed that IAPD members had the following direct economic impacts:
 Park districts, forest preserves, recreation and conservation agencies employ approximately 62,900 persons annually.
 The 54,000 part-time employees at these agencies include many seasonal positions. Employed between May and August each year, many of these employees are high school and college-aged persons, which makes park and recreation agencies a major employer of young people in Illinois.
 Agency employees earn a total of $621.8 million in wages and full-time benefits, including health insurance and retirement contributions, per year.
 These agencies generate a demand for about $475.5 million in operational spending per annum for services and products such as wholesale and retail supplies; phone services; utilities; legal, auditing, architectural, engineering and planning services, as well as other contractual services.
 About 73 percent, or $347 million, of their operational spending is spent with Illinois businesses, suppliers and contractors.
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