Press Release: Crystal Lake Residents Express Outrage and Demand Accountability at Park District Board Meeting

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 23, 2025

Contact: friendsofclparkboard@gmail.com

Crystal Lake Residents Express Outrage and Demand Accountability at Park District Board Meeting

CRYSTAL LAKE, IL – Over 100 residents turned out for the Crystal Lake Park District meeting on Monday, July 21, voicing serious concerns over recent decisions made by the new Park Board leadership. During an extended and at times heated public comment period, community members expressed concerns about the politicization of the board, allegations of corruption, potential conflicts of interest, and personal agendas over public service.

Concerns were primarily directed at the new Park Board President, Frederick Tisenga and his majority voting block: Keith Nisenson, Richard Hickey and Jason Heisler. Community members openly criticized the board’s conduct, citing a troubling lack of transparency, inadequate preparation, and an overall failure to uphold the ethical responsibility of serving the public with integrity. Residents further cited several specific actions that are fueling distrust and not putting the interest of the public first by:

• Supporting a draft message from Fred Tiesenga to be included in the Park Board newsletter (starting on p. 146 of the agenda packet) that is advocating for less funding to the Park District using unaudited numbers.

• Reducing public voice by voting to cut Board meetings to once per month (p. 12).

• Allowing a presentation from Statisnostics, a company that is partially owned by Ed Tisenga, the Board President’s brother, without the President disclosing the connection to the company. (source)

• Ignoring guidance from the Illinois Attorney General’s Office regarding transparency and proper agenda practices, including indicating the board’s expected course of action when publishing an agenda. (p. 143)

“I want to respond directly to the narrative that’s been shared, or soon to be shared in the Board President’s letter to the community, that local taxpayers are shouldering an unfair and growing share of the Park District’s costs. That story sounds compelling, but the facts simply don’t support it…Here’s the part you won’t hear in his message: that our tax rate has gone down, not up. In 2015, the Park District’s effective tax rate was 0.5582. Today, it’s 0.4500, a 19% decrease in the amount you pay per dollar of property value. That means our tax burden has become more efficient, not more expensive.”

- John Collins, Crystal Lake (full remarks here)

“It appears your agenda is to make OUR lake your personal playground…I’m asking you to stop the backroom shady deals that reek of an old boys’ club. Treat your elected office with the respect and dignity it deserves. You represent us, a community of over 40,000. Do what’s right.” - Joy Burney, Crystal Lake (full remarks here)

“I am wondering why you would elect a part-time resident without any park board experience as

the president. There are six full-time residents serving on this board. Four of them have years of experience as a commissioner…In the best interest of the residents you serve, and to guide this park district into the future, please reconsider your decision and put one of the other six, a FULL-TIME residents, in the president position to represent you.” - Debbie Gallagher, Crystal Lake, Former Park Board Member & President (full remarks here)

The City of Crystal Lake has also taken notice, prompting Mayor Haig Haleblian to issue his own statement (starting on page 158), expressing concerns over the Park Board’s recent actions and their impact on community trust.

To further underline public concern, a petition with over 1,000 signatures was presented at the meeting, calling for transparency, accountability, and respect for our parks and its people.

Overwhelming public feedback at the meeting reflected the sentiment that the Park Board’s actions are unacceptable, unprofessional, and do not reflect the values and expectations of the Crystal Lake community.

Photos from the meeting can be found here.

Parks for the People is a resident-led initiative committed to advocating for ethical leadership, openness, and transparency. Parks for the People believes in community-first decision making within the Crystal Lake Park District. To get involved, please email: friendsofclparkboard@gmail.com