Speaker Welch Honored by Maywood-Proviso Rotary Club
ELMWOOD PARK, Ill. – House Speaker Emanuel ‘Chris’ Welch helped celebrate the Maywood-Proviso Rotary Club’s 100th year anniversary as their keynote speaker last week. During the ceremony, the organization honored him with the Paul Harris Fellow recognition. This honor is given to those who demonstrate a commitment to the goals and purposes of the Rotary Foundation, which include advancing a world understanding, goodwill, and peace.
“Speaker Welch exemplifies these goals as he continues to seek an improved quality of life for all Illinoisans,” said Vladimir Talley, President of the Maywood-Proviso Rotary Club. “It was truly our club’s honor to present him with this recognition.”
Founded in 1923, the Maywood-Proviso Rotary club has remained true to the Foundation’s values by working to improve health, the environment, quality education, and eliminate poverty. Last year, the club earned the Rotary Citation, the most significant award a Rotary club can receive. Through the organization of many charitable events, this club continues to give back to those who need it most throughout their community.
“From organizing local blood drives, to helping our veterans, to putting on back-to-school events for our youth and everything in between, this rotary club has been a strong pillar of support for our community,” said Speaker Welch. “This organization has helped instill in many the belief in ‘service above self,’ and I’m proud to carry that belief with me to Springfield every day.
“I was honored to help this club celebrate 100 years of dedicated service and I know they’ll continue that work for a century more.”
LaGrange and Melrose Park District Receive State Grants for Local Park Projects
Nearly $55 million in state grants are being awarded for 111 local park projects throughout Illinois to help communities acquire land and develop recreational opportunities, Gov. JB Pritzker announced this week.
The Memorial Park District in Melrose Park and the Park District of LaGrange will each receive $600,000 from the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development, or OSLAD, program. This is a cost-sharing program between state and local governments that helps communities fund land acquisition and development for parks and outdoor recreation projects. It’s become one of the most popular grant programs in Illinois. Since it was established, OSLAD has awarded nearly $585 million for park projects throughout Illinois.
“Since day one as Governor, it’s been my mission to support the health and well-being of Illinoisans,” said Gov. Pritzker. “With funding from the OSLAD program, municipalities across Illinois will have the opportunity to expand and improve local neighborhood parks through sport and recreational space, plants, playgrounds, and more. All across Illinois, we’re enhancing our state’s natural beauty and creating safer, healthier, and happier communities.”
“This OSLAD program has helped improve the quality of life in communities across Illinois, especially those in economically distressed communities,” said Speaker Welch. “We know that a safe place to play and enjoy nature is incredibly important for our overall health and wellness. I want to thank Governor Pritzker and my colleagues in the General Assembly for consistently working to fund the OSLAD program.”