Gov. Quinn Brings A Present to Chicago Heights' Sister Cities Festival

By Mary Compton | City of Chicago Heights

A perfect day! Chicago Heights Mayor David Gonzalez, smiled down from the truck stage as the Bloom District 206 band performed the theme from Rocky.

How fitting for a city that has seen its fair share of bumps in the road as residents celebrate the opening of the annual Chicago Heights Sister City Festival.

A few thousand people showed up the first day to watch cars race along a portion of Route 1. Families took time out to ride carnival rides, while others stopped under the big tent to see the variety of cultures that thrive in Chicago Heights.

One of the visitors came bearing a gift, Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn. Addressing the crowd in the front of Bloom High School, Quinn looked over the crowd and commented on the diversity of the city.

He then announced he will be giving a capital investment of $2.5 million for a park development and improvement project to the Chicago Heights Park District.

“It’s important that everyone in Illinois has a place to be active and take on a healthy lifestyle,” Quinn said.

According to the governor’s office, the investment was funded by the Illinois Jobs Now! Construction program. The project is part of Quinn’s agenda to increase recreational opportunities, create jobs and drive Illinois economy forward.

Large artist renderings of the new 9,500-square foot addition to the existing Chicago Heights Park District Recreation building were behind him as he spoke. A new indoor swimming pool is in the works. Whispers of swim clubs and swim lessons from the crowd brought excitement of area children being taught to swim.

“I am very happy to learn that our Chicago Heights Park District has been awarded a Park Recreational Facility Construction Grant to help build a new aquatic center,” Chicago Heights Mayor Gonzalez said. “This is great news and I would like to thank Gov. Quinn for his continued commitment to provide state funding that enhances the life for our residents especially our youth, within our parks and recreational facilities.”

As the presentation wrapped up, Quinn posed for photos with students of Bloom High, commissioners from the park district and many Chicago Heights residents who have never met a governor before.

The governor then walked around the Sister City Festival a bit and stopped to enjoy some Hawaiian ice at The Frozen Penguin.

“It’s a great day in Chicago Heights,” Quinn proclaimed.