Parks chief defends spending on fall event

URBANA – The Urbana Park District's six-day Chautauqua last fall cost more than $200,000 to stage, but wound up requiring only $61,000 in property tax support due to generous donations, according to the park district's executive director.

Vicki Mayes said this week she was releasing the figures because some residents are making the costs of the event – and specifically the $20,000 fee given to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for his keynote speech on the environment – an issue as the park district seeks a 25-cent increase in its property tax rate in the Feb. 5 primary.

AP Video

Also on this date

• Parkland trustees unanimously OK Ramage as president
• Judge dismisses suit against Carle, Christie
• Fisher native killed in Iraq
• Mahomet Guardsman's motorcycle to be featured on TLC
• Iroquois County clerk pleads innocent to eight charges
• Danville mayor planning a housing battle
• Prep class helps middle school students 'move it forward'
• Rules tighten for derelict vehicles in Hoopeston
• Mahomet officials consider future wastewater options
• Business fire 'suspicious'; roof repairs prompt blaze
• Monticello officials plan to discuss address visibility issue
• Paxton board approves bond sale
• Savoy village board OKs safety signals
• Lightning arrestor failure caused outage
• Obituaries