St. Charles Park District was praised for its collaboration with St. Charles Community Unit School District 303. In December 2015, the Park District entered into an intergovernmental agreement with District 303 to manage the Norris Recreation Center’s programs, memberships and services. The school district retains ownership of the physical building and property.

The goal of the project was to allow the Norris Recreation Center to continue being a prominent resource for health and wellness needs for St. Charles residents, as 85 percent of respondents in a recent community survey feel the facility is an important community asset.

The Park District’s management of facility provides the community increased health and fitness programs while, at the same time, the facility is utilized for the School District’s P.E. swim classes, high school swim team and water polo.

“This agreement is a win-win for both entities,” the report says. “The new facilities gave the park district the opportunity to expand its recreational services by adding indoor tennis courts and an indoor swimming pool for residents to enjoy year-round. There is also access to a fitness center with a dedicated fitness studio, cardio equipment, weights and an indoor cycling room. The partnership has led to additional renovations of spaces to enhance customer service, address client’s needs and improve building efficiency.”

In total, 262 shared service examples were provided for best practice consideration. Out of those responses, 20 were selected to be published in the Journal.

Shared service examples range from school districts sharing professional services, equipment, buses and facilities, to park districts joining forces to provide community activities, fire protection districts sharing equipment and expertise, and road districts sharing ice-snow removal services.

Sanguinetti chaired the Governor’s Task Force on Local Government Consolidation and Unfunded Mandates.

“With 7,000 units of local government — more than any other state — it is no surprise that Illinois homeowners and businesses pay among the highest property taxes in the nation,” Sanguinetti said. “I commend these local leaders for finding innovative ways to deliver more efficient, effective, streamlined services for our taxpayers, and I encourage other local governments to follow their lead.  At the same time, I will continue to fight for legislation to allow citizens the ability to control costs and consolidate units of government as they see fit.”