Sangamon Sun

Senator Steve McClure highlighted the upcoming 100th anniversary of the Decatur Park District, saying, "I presented them a certificate from the Senate at their fantastic Wings and Wheels event on Saturday."

"Congratulations to the Decatur Park District on their 100th Anniversary," said McClure, State Senator 54th District (R), according to Facebook. "I presented them a certificate from the Senate at their fantastic Wings and Wheels event on Saturday."

According to McClure's website, the Decatur Park District was founded in 1924 and is responsible for providing leisure services and facilities for residents of Decatur, Illinois. Throughout its history, the district has received regional and national awards and recognition. In 2000, it earned the Great Lakes Region Partnership Award; that same year, and again in 2016, the district was named a National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) Gold Medal Finalist. In 2020, the district earned the Class IV NRPA National Gold Medal Award and has been recognized as an Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD)/Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA) Distinguished Accredited Agency since 1999, with reaccreditation in 2018.

Screenshot of Sen. Steve McClure's Aug. 7 Facebook post | Senator Steve McClure Facebook page

The District operates 2,000 acres of parkland, an indoor sports center, a regional airport, an AZA-accredited zoo, a senior center, an arts and recreation center, and Overlook Adventure Park.

Celebration of the century milestone occurred on August 3rd and 4th at the Wings and Wheels event. According to Enjoy Illinois, this event featured drones that lit up the sky in an aerial show with intricate patterns and choreographed formations. The event also included a fireworks display. Held at Decatur Airport from 2 p.m. to dusk, it also featured a static motorcycle, plane, and tractor show on Sunday; food and drinks; activities; a static car and plane show on Saturday; as well as live music both days.

McClure was sworn into office on January 9th, 2019. A Springfield native, he attended Springfield High School before earning two bachelor’s degrees in history and political science from Arizona State University. He holds a master’s degree in political studies from the University of Illinois at Springfield. McClure worked as a legislative intern for the Illinois Senate Republican Caucus before serving as an assistant state’s attorney in Sangamon County’s juvenile division. He later became chief of that division before serving in the Sangamon County Felony Division and as a member of the Lincoln Land Adult Fatality Review Team. He first ran for state senate in 2017 and was elected in 2018.