Chicago City Wire

Cook County Board of Commissioners met March 20. 

Here is the agenda as provided by the board:

      PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Pursuant to Cook County Code of Ordinances, public testimony will be permitted at regular and special meetings of the Board. Duly authorized public speakers shall be called upon at this time to deliver testimony germane to a specific item(s) on the meeting agenda, and the testimony must not exceed three (3) minutes. The names of duly authorized speakers shall be published in the Post Board Action Agenda and Journal of Proceedings as prepared by the Clerk of the Board.

                                               CONSENT CALENDAR

Pursuant to Cook County Code, the Secretary to the Board of Commissioners hereby transmits Consent Calendar Resolutions for your consideration. The Consent Calendar Resolutions shall be published in the Post Board Action Agenda and Journal of Proceedings as prepared by the Clerk of the Board.

                                                            19-1995

Sponsored by: TONI PRECKWINKLE (President), Cook County Board of Commissioners

PROPOSED RESOLUTION

EARTH WEEK RESOLUTION 2019

WHEREAS, Earth Day, observed every year on April 22 to diversify, educate and activate the environmental movement worldwide, now has over one billion people participating across the globe; and

WHEREAS, sustainable communities are a core policy priority for Cook County; and

WHEREAS, sustainable communities thrive economically, socially and environmentally, and promote the goal of equity in Cook County; and

WHEREAS, Cook County’s Policy Roadmap commits us to ensuring environmental justice, promoting sustainable development, fighting climate change, promoting green jobs for all, and building the capacity of our communities to create a sustainable and resilient future; and

WHEREAS, Cook County has reduced greenhouse gas emissions from its building energy use by 32 percent since 2010, towards its goal of becoming carbon neutral by the year 2050, by developing energy efficiency and renewable energy projects; and

WHEREAS, Cook County implemented the Green Buildings Program that looks holistically at the design, space utilization, operations and life cycle impact of County owned properties to become a model for sustainable asset management that minimizes environmental impacts, improves the health and wellness of communities, and increases the value of County assets to optimize taxpayer dollars; and

WHEREAS, Cook County supports sustainable communities through promoting community solar and energy efficiency for residents, helping to return brownfields to productive use, promoting transit and other non-auto alternative transportation modes, increasing recycling, and in many other ways; and

WHEREAS, Cook County is working with its employees, residents and communities to raise awareness and encourage adoption of energy efficiency, renewable energy and sustainable practices.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Cook County Board of Commissioners that the week of April 21 to 27, 2019 be declared Earth Week in Cook County.end

                                                        19-2190

Sponsored by: TONI PRECKWINKLE (President) and JOHN P. DALEY, Cook County Board of Commissioners

PROPOSED RESOLUTION

CONGRATULATING KATHY WEISS BOTICA ON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT FROM COOK COUNTY GOVERNMENT

WHEREAS, Kathy Weiss Botica has been a dedicated, loyal public servant employee for Cook County Government for 33 years; and

WHEREAS, Kathy Weiss Botica began her career at Cook County in 1986 as a Clerk V for the Department of Construction, Maintenance and Operations under President George W. Dunne, and subsequently worked under President’s Richard Phalen, John H. Stroger, Bobbie L. Steele, Todd Stroger and Toni Preckwinkle; and

WHEREAS, Kathy Weiss Botica remained with Construction, Maintenance and Operations through the Chicago River Flood in 1992 and Y2K in 2000; and

WHEREAS, Kathy Weiss Botica became the Business Manager for Facilities Management Business Group in 1994, where she developed and managed contracts that allowed Facilities Management to ethically maintain and operate Cook County Facilities in a safe and cost-effective manner, all while ensuring vendors were paid in a timely manner; and

WHEREAS, Kathy is known for her countless hours volunteering for Special Olympics, helping those with special needs; and

WHEREAS, Kathy is grateful for all of her co-workers who have turned into lifelong friends; and

WHEREAS, Kathy Weiss Botica appreciates many things, but her greatest love is the love she has for her family, including her husband, Marty, her children, Marti, Danie and Toni, her mother Mariann, siblings and in-laws, 26 nieces and nephews, and 10 great nieces and nephews; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners does hereby wish Kathy Weiss Botica well in her retirement.

                                                 19-2314

Sponsored by: TONI PRECKWINKLE (President), Cook County Board of Commissioners

PROPOSED RESOLUTION

DECLARING MARCH 2019 “SOCIAL WORK MONTH”

WHEREAS, the Social Work Profession is dedicated to enhancing well-being and helping meet the basic needs of all people, especially those who are vulnerable, oppressed and living in poverty; and

WHEREAS, this year’s Social Work Month theme, “Elevate Social Work” embodies the need to recognize the extraordinary contributions of the profession to our society; and

WHEREAS, the Social Work profession is expected to grow faster than average over the next seven years, with more than 682,000 people expected to be employed as social workers by 2026; and

WHEREAS, Social Workers elevate and empower people, giving them the ability to solve problems, cope with personal roadblocks and get the resources they need to succeed; and

WHEREAS, the Social Work profession is deeply weaved into our society with social workers active in government, schools, universities, social service agencies, communities, corporations, the military and in health care and mental health care settings; and

WHEREAS, Social Workers are the largest group of providers of mental health services in the United States and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is one of the largest employers of social workers holding advanced degrees; and

WHEREAS, Social Workers travel across the nation and world to help people in crisis, helping them overcome issues such as death and grief, epidemics, environmental pollution and natural disasters such as wildfires, hurricanes and floods; and

WHEREAS, Social Workers for decades have been in the forefront on social justice, pushing for equal rights for women, African Americans, Latinos, people who are disabled, people who are LGBTQ and various ethnic, cultural and religious groups; and

WHEREAS, the Social Work Profession for more than a century has been on the cutting edge of helping create changes to make our society a better place to live, including voting rights, improved workplace safety, a minimum wage and social safety net programs that ameliorate poverty and hunger; and

WHEREAS, Social Workers stand ready to help our society overcome current pressing issues, including equal rights for all, the need for improved availability of health care and mental health services; immigration reform; voting rights and the environmental impact of global warming; and

WHEREAS, Cook County employs social workers in various agencies, including but not limited to, the Bureau of Administration’s Department of Adoption and Family Supportive Services, which provides professional home-based social investigations that courts rely on in making critical decisions affecting the safety and well-being of children involved in adoption, probate, dissolution of marriage and parentage proceedings; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the month of March 2019 be proclaimed as Social Work Month in recognition of the numerous contributions made by Cook County’s Social Workers, and that all residents be called upon to join Cook County and the National Association of Social Workers in celebration and support of the Social Work Profession..end

                                                   19-2316

Sponsored by: TONI PRECKWINKLE (President), Cook County Board of Commissioners

PROPOSED RESOLUTION

HONORING AND RECOGNIZING PEDIATRIC ONCOLOGY TREASURE CHEST FOUNDATION

WHEREAS, the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation is a non-profit organization, based in Orland Park, dedicated to supporting pediatric cancer patients and their families by providing a toy, gift or gift cards from a treasure chest; and

WHEREAS, on February 15, 1993, seven-year-old Martin Kisel was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia and for three and a half years endured several painful procedures; and

WHEREAS, Colleen Kisel, Martin’s mother, would give Martin a toy after each procedure, noticing an immediate joy from the new toy and subsequently a distraction from the pain of the medical procedures; and

WHEREAS, Colleen believed this method would be great for pediatric cancer patients and began a letter writing campaign to solicit donations; and

WHEREAS, in August 1996, Colleen’s efforts came to fruition when she officially launched the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation with a donation from Aramark Corporation; and

WHEREAS, the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation fully and continuously stocks a decorated treasure chest in outpatient areas within cancer treatment centers across the nation; and

WHEREAS, in 2018, the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation opened its 53rd and 54th Treasure Chest Program at Toledo Children’s Hospital in Toledo, Ohio and the University of Missouri Woman and Children’s Hospital in Columbia, Missouri; and

WHEREAS, to date, the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation provides comfort and distraction from painful pediatric cancer procedures to 13,000 children and teens every month; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the President and the Cook County Board of Commissioners, on behalf of the residents of Cook County, hereby recognize Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation and founder Colleen Kisel for her service and generous work provided to children in Cook County and across the nation; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this Resolution be tendered to Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation founder Colleen Kisel as a means of communicating our appreciation.

                                                     19-2317

Sponsored by: TONI PRECKWINKLE (President), Cook County Board of Commissioners

PROPOSED RESOLUTION

HONORING AND RECOGNIZING DAR SERCA (GIFT FROM THE HEART)

WHEREAS, Dar Serca is a non-profit organization, based in Schiller Park, that provides help to disabled children, mostly from abroad, so they can receive medical treatments from the highest quality clinics in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Dar Serca founder Izabela Rybak experienced the lack of assistance in modern medical care for disabled children when there was a shortage of medical treatments for her son in her hometown of Otwock, Poland; and

WHEREAS, in 1985, Izabela’s husband came to America searching for medical assistance and financial quotes for cerebral palsy treatments for their son, eventually finding help from Shriners Hospital in Chicago; and

WHEREAS, the multiple surgeries and extensive care their son required prompted Izabela and her husband to seek permanent residency so they could care for their son and bring their two daughters to Cook County; and

WHEREAS, in 1986, shortly after her arrival to the U.S., Izabela met the parents of two children suffering from the same disability as her son and she provided guidance in compiling the necessary information and filling out the paperwork; and

WHEREAS, on November 23,1988, Dar Serca, Polish for Gift from the Heart, was established and has since been a beacon of hope for children from abroad to come the U.S. to receive high quality medical care, including life-saving surgery and medical treatments unavailable in their home countries and at no cost to the families; and

WHEREAS, in 2009, a state-of-the-art living facility was built in Schiller Park to provide a comfortable environment for the children and their families or guardians before, during, and after the surgeries and medical treatments; and

WHEREAS, last year, 46 children from abroad where under the care of Dar Serca, a total cost of over $230, 000; and

WHEREAS, for more than 30 years, the work of Dar Serca is made possible with help from the community, individuals and corporate donations; and

WHEREAS, Dar Serca helps local children with disabilities by providing Saturday classes and summer camp opportunities; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the President and the Cook County Board of Commissioners, on behalf of the residents of Cook County, hereby recognize Dar Serca (Gift from the Heart) and founder Izabela Rybak for their services and generous work provided to children from abroad and Cook County residents; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this Resolution be tendered to Dar Serca founder Izabela Rybak as a means of communicating our appreciation.

                                                   19-2352

Sponsored by: DENNIS DEER, DEBORAH SIMS and TONI PRECKWINKLE (President), Cook County Board of Commissioners

PROPOSED RESOLUTION

HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF OSCAR JAMES ARMSTRONG

WHEREAS, God in his infinite wisdom called Oscar James Armstrong from our midst; and

WHEREAS, Oscar Armstrong was the oldest of five children born to the late Simon and Flora Armstrong in Lee County, Ark; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Armstrong attended grammar school in Postelle AR, and St. Louis, MO. Mr. Armstrong graduated from Marianna’s Morton High School in 1951; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Armstrong enlisted in the U.S.Army serving three years during the Korean War and;

WHEREAS, after completing his tour of duty, he returned to Arkansas and enrolled in Arkansas Mechanical and Normal College, now known as the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB). While at Arknasas Mechanical and Normal, Mr. Armstrong was editor of the school yearbook for two years, a member of the student government, and named in Who’s Who’s in American Colleges and Universities in 1957;and

WHEREAS, In 1957 Mr. Armstrong graduated with his Bachelor of Arts degree in history and political science where the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke at his commencement address. He also pursued continuing education and graduate studies at Roosevelt University, University of Illinois Circle Campus (now University of Illinois at Chicago), and the Center for Inner City Studies;and

WHEREAS, Oscar Armstrong met the love of his life Audrey Anne (Scott) whom he married in Chicago, IL on September 5, 1958 and remained married for 61 years. This union produced two children; Mark Fitzgerald Armstrong and Ingrid Renee Armstrong Doweary and

WHEREAS, Mr. Armstrong was employed as a teacher with the Chicago Public School System for 22 years. Mr. Armstrong taught at: Gladstone Elementary School, Pullman Elementary School, Fenger High School, and Bogan High School. He served as Chair of the history department at Crane Technical School. While at Crane, Mr. Armstrong served on a blue ribbon panel which lead to an Illinois law being passed which required teachers to teach Black History in the State’s public elementary and secondary schools; and

WHEREAS, Oscar Armstrong was active in various civic organizations including a life membership with AMVETS, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, and the Prince Hall Masons. His civic involvement also included the historically black working-class Maple Park subdivision on Chicago’s Far Southwest Side where he served as: President of the block club for the 11700th block of South Throop Street and President, Parliamentarian, and Financial Secretary for the Maple Park Community Association (originally the Maple Park Homeowners Association). During his tenure with the homeowners association, Mr. Armstrong was in the forefront of compelling Maple Park subdivision’s developers to honor their promise of improving Cooper Park and including a gymnasium in the Whistler Elementary School tripling the school’s assembly hall and cafeteria; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Oscar James Armstrong’s physical presence may no longer be with us, he shall be remembered as a man who was gentle in spirit, admired and respected by his many friends and neighbors, and dearly loved by his family.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Commissioners of Cook County ,the Board does hereby offer its deepest condolences and most heartfelt sympathy to the family of Oscar James Armstrong and join them in sorrow at this time of loss; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this text be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body, and a suitable copy of the same be tendered to the family of Mr. Oscar James Armstrong so that his memory may be so honored and ever cherished

                                                19-2369

Sponsored by: BILL LOWRY, Cook County Board of Commissioners

PROPOSED RESOLUTION

“Service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth” Shirley Chisolm

HONORING CANDICE PAYNE

WHEREAS, Candice Payne is a third-generation entrepreneur, the daughter of Phillip Payne a talented hairstylist for more than four decades, and the granddaughter of Aretha DeShazer, a licensed barber and former owner of Payne’s Barber shop once located at 1139 E. 43rd Street; and

WHEREAS, Candice Payne follows in the footsteps of her family as an entrepreneur and enjoying every aspect of the real estate business. Ms. Payne is as a managing real estate broker, wholesaler, general contractor, rehab designer, motivator of potential home owners, and the owner of Body Werks Spa, in Bronzeville; and

WHEREAS, Candice Payne, having a significant other who unfortunately experienced homelessness, put her faith into action during one of the worst polar vortex periods in the history of the City of Chicago.

WHEREAS, the severe weather conditions and plight of Chicago’s homeless motivated Candice Payne to do more than sit and watch the local meteorologist; and

WHEREAS, Candice Payne housed 122 homeless citizens at the Amber Inn in Chicago for five days and now dedicates her nonprofit organization, “Action for A Cause Now”, to building multi-unit housing for the homeless; and

WHEREAS, many notable individuals such as: Common, Jada Pinkett Smith, Hillary Rodham Clinton, and Ellen DeGeneres, noticed Candice Payne’s benevolent acts. Candice Payne kind gesture inspired Ellen DeGeneras to make a Fifty Thousand Dollar contribution towards Ms. Payne’s future efforts; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that I, BILL LOWRY, COOK COUNTY COMMISSIONER of the 3rd DISTRICT, do hereby stand, and salute the humanitarianism of Candice Payne.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this Resolution will be presented to Candice Payne; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that a copy of this Resolution will be filed within the Office of Cook County Commissioner Bill Lowry 3rd District.

                                                  19-2306

Sponsored by: DONNA MILLER, TONI PRECKWINKLE (President), ALMA E. ANAYA, LUIS ARROYO JR, SCOTT R. BRITTON, JOHN P. DALEY, DENNIS DEER, BRIDGET DEGNEN, BRIDGET GAINER, BRANDON JOHNSON, BILL LOWRY, STANLEY MOORE, KEVIN B. MORRISON, SEAN M. MORRISON, PETER N. SILVESTRI, DEBORAH SIMS, LARRY SUFFREDIN and JEFFREY R. TOBOLSKI, Cook County Board of Commissioners

PROPOSED RESOLUTION

HONORING WAYNE ADAMS SR.

WHEREAS, Mr. Wayne Adams Sr. was born in St. Joseph, MO on April 15, 1919 and lived there until he graduated from high school; and

WHEREAS, after he graduated, he moved to Chicago to join his mother and stepfather and has lived in Cook County ever since; and

WHEREAS, the family lived a short distance from the 124th Field Artillery Armory, which served both as a military training complex, and as a venue for midget auto races something he had wanted to see since he was 10, and in the fall of 1936, he saw his first race at the armory; and

WHEREAS, soon, he and his parents were attending races throughout the Midwest including summer races at Riverview Stadium, just outside of Riverview Amusement Park at Western and Belmont avenues. They traveled to Rockville, In., Fort Wayne, In., Winchester, In., Dayton, Oh., and Greenville, Oh. Locally, they attended races at the new Hammond Raceway in Indiana and Raceway Park in Blue Island; and

WHEREAS, in 1939, Mr. Adams began photographing the races and selling the pictures at the tracks for 50 cents and would go on to became the scorer at Raceway Park, and, late in 1940, was approached by Illustrated Speedway News to cover racing for that publication; and

WHEREAS, his first story in that national paper was about an indoor midget race at the International Amphitheater with Wally Zale winning the 100-lap feature after being down two laps; and

WHEREAS, during this time Wayne met his wife Grace (Boots) Stevens, a romance that would last 76 years; Grace's father had told Wayne he needed to have $1,000 in the bank before they could wed so Wayne sold his car to get the money and they were married on Nov. 7, 1942; and

WHEREAS, the two first lived with Grace's parents in Englewood, but six weeks after the wedding, Wayne was inducted into the U.S. Army, reporting to Camp Grant in Northern Illinois then to Fort McLellan in Alabama for basic training; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Adams became an acting sergeant by his second week in the program, and asked to join the Officer Candidate School program for infantry, but there were no spaces available; and

WHEREAS, Grace visited Wayne at Fort McLellan and other camps during his time in the army, and while the rest of his company was shipped out, Wayne was left behind and reassigned to Camp Stewart in Georgia in April of 1943; and

WHEREAS, while there he stayed in the anti-aircraft cadre pool under the direction of a second lieutenant who repeatedly told Wayne he would not make it as an officer in the army; however, undeterred, Wayne reapplied for OCS in anti-aircraft and was accepted and reassigned to Camp Davis in North Carolina on Oct. 9, 1943, graduating the program on January 20, 1944 as a 2nd Lieutenant; and

WHEREAS, in September 1944, he was sent to another officer pool, this time with the 1694th Engineering Battalion at Camp Rucker in Alabama, where he was selected to attend the 2nd Army Mine School learning the latest information on land mines, explosives, and booby traps; That class included every rank from second lieutenants to lieutenant colonels and Wayne posted the highest score in the class and was kept as an instructor there until the school closed; and

WHEREAS, when the school closed, Wayne was sent overseas to Manila in the Philippines. On July 22, 1945, he set sail on a 31-day voyage across the Pacific on the Cape Victory, which held 1.600 men including 800 black soldiers, landing at Batangas in Luzon and then he rejoined the 1694th at a camp north of Manila; and

WHEREAS, while there, he was one of 24 white officers selected to give basic training to a group of black soldiers; These men had been in the army for several years building the Alcan Highway, a supply route through Canada to Alaska, but had never received basic training; They were brought to Manila to help the rebuilding process there; In Wayne's first group, two of the men were from Chicago and one even knew his step-father's butcher shop, where they would meet again after the war; and

WHEREAS, after helping to rebuild the Filipino infrastructure Mr. Adams returned home in April 1946, where he rejoined his family and added another daughter, April Darlene, in July 1947; and

WHEREAS, after the war, Wayne again turned his attention toward auto racing; More than 6,000 fans watched the midgets race at Hanson Park on the northwest side and Wayne was asked to announce the second event of the 1947 season thus beginning a long career in auto racing announcing; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Adams retired from announcing in 1989 after calling 2,625 racing programs, and retired from his daytime job as a trophy salesman two years later; and

WHEREAS, Wayne was inducted into the National Old Timers Auto Racing Hall of Fame in Oct. 1988, the Grundy County Mazon Speed Bowl Hall of Fame in July 2004, the Illinois Stock Car Hall of Fame in April 2012, and the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame in January 2014; and

WHEREAS, he and Grace had 4 children and moved to Dolton, IL and traveled the country, visiting 48 states, Mexico, and Canada during their marriage and had 9 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, sadly Grace passed away in March 2016 at age 90, and had been married to Wayne for 73 years and known each other just weeks short of 75 years; and

WHEREAS, Wayne will turn 100 years old this coming April, and recently met the newest addition to his family, a great-great-granddaughter;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the President and Members of the Cook County Board of Commissioners proudly honors Mr. Wayne Adams Sr. for his amazing life and career and his service to the Country, the community and Cook County; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, this text be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body and that a suitable copy be presented to Wayne Adams Sr.

                                              19-2228

Sponsored by: KEVIN B. MORRISON, ALMA E. ANAYA, LUIS ARROYO JR, SCOTT R. BRITTON, JOHN P. DALEY, DENNIS DEER, BRIDGET DEGNEN, BRIDGET GAINER, BRANDON JOHNSON, BILL LOWRY, DONNA MILLER, STANLEY MOORE, SEAN M. MORRISON, TONI PRECKWINKLE (President), PETER N. SILVESTRI, DEBORAH SIMS, LARRY SUFFREDIN and JEFFREY R. TOBOLSKI, Cook County Board of Commissioners

PROPOSED RESOLUTION

RECOGNIZING REBECCA DARR AND WINGS

WHEREAS, WINGS Program Inc. was established in 1985 to provide a pathway to independence for people whose lives have been disrupted by domestic violence; and

WHEREAS, the mission of WINGS Program Inc. is to provide housing, integrated services, education, and advocacy to end domestic violence; and

WHEREAS, Rebecca Darr was the Executive Director of WINGS for 15 years before becoming the CEO in 2014; and

WHEREAS, WINGS is now the largest domestic violence housing agency in Illinois, providing housing, integrated services, education, and advocacy to end domestic violence; and

WHEREAS, WINGS has two emergency shelters and 51 transitional and permanent housing units across the Chicagoland, which can house up to 363 individuals per night; and

WHEREAS, WINGS is one of the only domestic violence agency housing both women and men in Illinois; and

WHEREAS, 1 in 4 men have experienced physical violence by an intimate partner, leading to an estimated 830,000 men abused each year in the United States and every 37.5 seconds a man battered in the United States; and

WHEREAS, 1 in 3 women have experienced physical violence by an intimate partner, leading to an estimated 3-4 million women abused each year in the United States and every 9 seconds a woman is battered in the United States; and

WHEREAS, March is designated as Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day is March 8; and

WHEREAS, WINGS hosts an annual fashion show fundraiser that over 500 people attend; and

WHEREAS, WINGS raises funds through their three resale stores to fund their vital work; and

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Board of the Cook County Commissioners would like to recognize both Rebecca Darr for her exemplary work and the WINGS Program, Inc, for its many years of years of providing services to domestic violence survivors; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that suitable copies of this resolution are presented to Rebecca Darr of WINGS Program Inc.

                                                  19-2116

Sponsored by: SEAN M. MORRISON, Cook County Board of Commissioners

PROPOSED RESOLUTION

HONORING THE HERITAGE AND CULTURE OF ARAB AMERICANS AND DESIGNATING THE MONTH OF APRIL AS ARAB AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH IN COOK COUNTY

WHEREAS, the State of Illinois has more than 450,000 citizens who are of Arab heritage, originating primarily from Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Yemen and 15 other Arab World countries, with the largest concentration living in Cook County; and

WHEREAS, Arab Americans in Illinois, who are both Christian and Muslim, first settled in Illinois in the middle of the 19th Century, playing a significant role in the yearlong and successful Columbian World Exposition held in Chicago in 1893; and

WHEREAS, Arab Americans in Illinois have played significant roles in American life including serving in every war including the Civil War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; and

WHEREAS, Arab Americans in Illinois are proud citizens who pay their taxes, manage successful business and work in a wide range of blue collar and white collar professions including doctors, dentists, lawyers, engineers, journalists, public officials, grocery store and retail store owners, union activists and educators and teachers; and

WHEREAS, the Illinois General Assembly adopted a State Law in December 2018 votING unanimously to designate the month of April as Arab American Heritage month, joining seven other states including Arizona, California, Michigan, Virginia, Texas, Georgia, and Maryland, and also Washington D.C.; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board joins in honoring the heritage and culture of Arab Americans, and designates the month of April as Arab American Heritage Month in Cook County; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board further encourages all of its residents to celebrate the diversity of this great county and that the text of this resolution be spread across the journal of proceedings of this honorable body.

                                                  19-1899

Sponsored by: PETER N. SILVESTRI, Cook County Board of Commissioners

PROPOSED RESOLUTION

RECOGNIZING SAINT PAUL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF MOUNT PROSPECT FOR ITS HISTORY OF SERVICE AND COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY

WHEREAS, in 1912, five years before the Village of Mount Prospect was incorporated, seventeen families organized the Saint Paul Lutheran Church congregation; and

WHEREAS, Saint Paul Lutheran Church has grown to more than 1,400 active family members today, led by Senior Pastor Chris Whitby; and

WHEREAS, the motto of Saint Paul Lutheran Church is “Growing as Family,” representing the church’s belief that a real church is not a building; rather, it is a community where real people can go to find real answers for the real world; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Bo Graham received the Open Arms Award at the Mount Prospect Shining Stars Gala on February 2, 2019. The gala honors those who benefit the community through great works that often go unnoticed; and

WHEREAS, Pastor Bo began the free Breakfast with Baby program four years ago with one mother in attendance and now serves up to one hundred people twice per month. The program invites families with children up to two years of age and women who are at least seven months pregnant to come and enjoy a hot meal with their families and shop for free items, such as diapers, toys, and clothes, in the church’s Baby Store; and

WHEREAS, from 2016-2018, the Breakfast with Baby program donated 51,600 diapers to needy families; and

WHEREAS, beyond weekly worship celebrations, Saint Paul Lutheran Church offers ministries for children, junior high students, high school students, young adults, adults, and senior citizens to help all ages grow as individuals and deepen their relationship with God and their community; and

WHEREAS, local mission projects, such as The Church Has Left the Building, bring church members into the community to volunteer their time to help out as needed. Food Collection, P.A.D.S., and Sisters in Stitches offer ongoing additional assistance; and

WHEREAS, the Saint Paul Lutheran Church community also volunteers farther afield through mission trips to the Mexican border and through Workcamp, which takes the senior-high ministry to serve in locales in need around the country; and

WHEREAS, the other ministries in which the Saint Paul Lutheran Church community engages are too numerous to mention, yet each one contributes to the noble mission of the church.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners does hereby recognize and thank Saint Paul Lutheran Church of Mount Prospect for its history of service to the community; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to members of the Saint Paul Lutheran Church as a token of the county’s appreciation.

                                              19-2263

Sponsored by: PETER N. SILVESTRI and KEVIN B. MORRISON, Cook County Board of

Commissioners

PROPOSED RESOLUTION

JILL MORGENTHALER, IN MEMORIAM

WHEREAS, Almighty God in His infinite wisdom called Jill Morgenthaler from our midst on February 23, 2019; and

WHEREAS, Jill Morgenthaler was the beloved wife of Kerry Chambers; devoted mother of Neal and Jamie Chambers; loving sister of Terry Morgenthaler (Patrick Kerins), Jeffrey (Donna) Morgenthaler, and Sharon Morgenthaler; and dear aunt of many nieces and nephews; and

WHEREAS, Jill Morgenthaler was a retired U.S. Army Colonel with thirty years of military service; and

WHEREAS, Jill Morgenthaler was one of 83 female cadets to arrive at boot camp at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, in 1975, as part of the inaugural class of women in the Army; and

WHEREAS, Jill Morgenthaler rose through the ranks and became the first woman battalion commander in the 88th Regional Support Command, and later the first woman brigade commander in the 84th Division; and

WHEREAS, her military career took her to Germany and South Korea in the 1980s, and Bosnia and Kosovo in the 1990s, when she earned a humanitarian service medal for helping to resettle Kosovar refugees; and

WHEREAS, in 2004 Jill Morgenthaler was awarded the Bronze Star for leadership in Iraq and upon retirement in 2006 was awarded the Legion of Merit; and

WHEREAS, in 2005, Jill Morgenthaler became the first woman to run the Illinois Department of Homeland Security; and

WHEREAS, Jill Morgenthaler was a professional international speaker, leadership expert, and author of The Courage to Take Command: Leadership Lessons from a Military Trailblazer; and

WHEREAS, after retiring, Jill Morgenthaler served with the Army Reserves and helped coordinate the emergency response after the 2008 shootings at Northern Illinois University; and

WHEREAS, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth said “Colonel Morgenthaler devoted her life to helping others be all they can be. A true patriot, she was a leader and decorated officer who knocked down barriers in the military and motivated a generation of women through her service and her inspirational speeches.”

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners does hereby offer its deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy to the family and loved ones of Jill Morgenthaler; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, this text be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body, and that a suitable copy of the same be tendered to the family of Jill Morgenthaler so that her memory may be so honored and ever cherished.

                                        19-2383

Sponsored by: PETER N. SILVESTRI, Cook County Board of Commissioners

PROPOSED RESOLUTION

HONORING DREAMS FOR KIDS AS IT CELEBRATES ITS 30TH ANNIVERSARY

WHEREAS, for 30 years, Dreams for Kids has been fulfilling its mission to train and mentor youth to help them create enterprises that provide solutions to critical social issues; and

WHEREAS, Tom Tuohy-experiencing in his own life how important a mentor can be in a young person’s life, and how important it is for youth to learn how much they have to give-created Dreams for Kids; and

WHEREAS, on Christmas Eve, 1989, Dreams for Kids began with its first Holiday for Hope event; and

WHEREAS, since that day, this event has served more than 70,000 of our most vulnerable kids during the holiday season, providing food, gifts, music, dance, crafts, sports, books, and more; and

WHEREAS, Dreams for Kids offers social entrepreneurship lessons that help students explore in real-world contexts, the relevance of essential entrepreneurial skills, doing this autonomously, collaboratively, and in partnership with a vast array of professionals; and

WHEREAS, with the guidance of mentors from the workforce community, students in Dreams for Kids’ curriculum channel their learning into creating social impact enterprises and applying business principles to ventures that drive profit and solve critical social issues; and

WHEREAS, Dreams for Kids’ Youth Enterprise Solutions program instills an entrepreneurial mindset, providing the necessary preparation for the new economy and the complex demands of 21st Century global citizenship; and

WHEREAS, the inquiry and project-based curriculum drives student learning into the world and is delivered by teachers in class and supported by mentors beyond school; and

WHEREAS, one Dreams for Kids’ social entrepreneur started Project I Am, which distributes “Blessings Bags” to homeless people and has partnered with the Heartland Alliance to expand his reach. This child was acknowledged by President Barack Obama and the Obama Foundation for being one of the people to make a difference in society in 2017; and

WHEREAS, Dreams for Kids youth continue to create social enterprises that change lives and instill dignity by replacing charity with opportunity.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners does hereby congratulate Dreams for Kids as it celebrates its 30th anniversary; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this resolution be tendered to Dreams for Kids as a token of our appreciation for its significant, ongoing contributions to those in need.

                                           19-1895

Sponsored by: LARRY SUFFREDIN, TONI PRECKWINKLE (President), ALMA E. ANAYA, LUIS ARROYO JR, SCOTT R. BRITTON, JOHN P. DALEY, DENNIS DEER, BRIDGET DEGNEN, BRIDGET GAINER, BRANDON JOHNSON, BILL LOWRY, DONNA MILLER, STANLEY MOORE, KEVIN B. MORRISON, SEAN M. MORRISON, PETER N. SILVESTRI, DEBORAH SIMS and JEFFREY R. TOBOLSKI, Cook County Board of Commissioners

PROPOSED RESOLUTION

HONORING ADRIAN WILLOUGHBY FOR A LIFE WELL LIVED

WHEREAS, on February 2, 2019 Adrian Willoughby was honored and celebrated for his many accomplishments and contributions throughout his thirty-nine years of life; and

WHEREAS, Adrian Willoughby was a devoted husband, son, brother and uncle who affected countless lives; and

WHEREAS, Adrian Willoughby was deeply committed to economic, racial, and social justice and dedicated his life to providing affordable housing, shelter for the homeless, and dignified conditions for those in need; and

WHEREAS, Adrian Willoughby was born March 16, 1979 in Belize City, Belize, the oldest of five children. He was known for his playful demeanor with his younger siblings and his independence and sense of style. As a student in Catholic schools in Belize, he insisted to his mother that the brown and yellow button shirts and slacks didn’t reflect his style. The compromise was to be able to wear yellow Lacoste polo shirts; and

WHEREAS, Adrian Willoughby moved with his family to Evanston at the age of 16. When his father died two years later, it was particularly hard on him; but he embraced his new role as man-of-the-house. His younger sisters remember him as a protector and father-figure.; and

WHEREAS, Adrian Willoughby was a pioneer in the online world. In 1997, that meant chat rooms where he met his wife, Cindi Dingman, a fellow high school student in California. The long-distance relationship grew and after he graduated from high school, Adrian traveled to California to meet her. They were married in 2002. They eventually moved to Rogers Park, and then into a Reba’s Place affordable housing unit so they could save money to purchase their current home in the Fifth Ward; and

WHEREAS, Adrian Willoughby attended Oakton Community College and Colorado Technical University, initially majoring in political science. He worked for more than a decade at Grainger where he was in charge of on-boarding, project management, and disaster planning. Adrian was well-loved and respected at Grainger, so much so that they developed an informal motto of WWAD, “What would Adrian do?” At his farewell party, colleagues bid him good-by wearing T-shirts and holding mugs emblazoned with the slogan; and

WHEREAS, Adrian Willoughby’s commitment to economic, racial, and social justice led him to seek volunteer opportunities at Reba Place Development Corp., where he was soon hired as a project manager. Three years later, he had risen to the role of Executive Director. Adrian embodied Reba’s mission “to develop safe, decent, and affordable housing, demonstrating how Evanston’s diverse racial and cultural groups can thrive together.” Adrian’s colleagues describe him as a gentle man with strong convictions and dreams of building homes in Evanston that people could afford; and

WHEREAS, in addition to his full-time work, Adrian Willoughby was actively engaged civically, serving as a member of Joining Forces for Affordable Housing - Connections for the Homeless, Interfaith Action of Evanston, multiple political campaigns, and engaging in various advocacy and consultant work; and

WHEREAS, Adrian Willoughby’s interest in global and local politics was likely sparked by his uncle, Stuart Leslie, who served as the Belizean Representative to the United Nations, Chief Elections Officer, and Ambassador of Trade in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and

WHEREAS, Adrian Willoughby was a man of faith. As a parishioner of Vineyard Christian Fellowship of Evanston, he modeled those values in his life. He believed that God had a purpose for each and every one of us, and that is was up to us to strive to identify and embrace that purpose; and

WHEREAS, Adrian Willoughby also knew how to have fun. He was a consummate host. No one’s cup ever ran dry at his home. He was a fervid White Sox fan and loved spending time at his lake house looking out over the water, just as he had done as a child. He particularly enjoyed the annual Willoughby summer party, yearly pilgrimages to Myrtle Beach, and camping trips with friends; and

WHEREAS, Adrian Willoughby will be sorely missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his wife, Cindi-Marie Willoughby; his mother Judith Willoughby; siblings Deven Harmon, Andrew Willoughby, Desiree Miller and Megan Levy; brothers-in-law Jeff Dingman, Reggie Harman, Patrick Levy, and Eugene Miller III; nephews Wayne Levy and Reggie Harman; and nieces Maddie Harmon and Azyra Tuggle. He is preceded in death by his father Wayne Willoughby, grandfather Lindy Leslie, and father-in-law William Halver Dingman.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners of Cook County, on behalf of the 5.2 million residents of Cook County takes great pleasure in honoring and celebrating Adrian Willoughby’s 39 years of life and his many contributions bettering the lives of the residents of Evanston and citizens of Cook County, Illinois;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this Resolution be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body and that an official copy of the same be tendered to the family of Adrian Willoughby.end

                                               19-1896

Sponsored by: LARRY SUFFREDIN, TONI PRECKWINKLE (President), ALMA E. ANAYA, LUIS ARROYO JR, SCOTT R. BRITTON, JOHN P. DALEY, DENNIS DEER, BRIDGET DEGNEN, BRIDGET GAINER, BRANDON JOHNSON, BILL LOWRY, DONNA MILLER, STANLEY MOORE, KEVIN B. MORRISON, SEAN M. MORRISON, PETER N. SILVESTRI, DEBORAH SIMS and JEFFREY R. TOBOLSKI, Cook County Board of Commissioners

PROPOSED RESOLUTION

HONORING JESSICA LYNN BRYAR FOR A LIFE WELL LIVED

WHEREAS, Jessica Lynn Bryar was a proud and accomplished employee of the Cook County Public Defender’s Office for more than twenty years; and

WHEREAS, after a valiant fight, Jessica Lynn Bryar succumbed to illness on February 3, 2019. She was 46 years old; and

WHEREAS, Jessica earned her J.D. from Loyola University Chicago School of Law and B.A. from Boston College. During law school she supplemented her studies by serving as a Street Law Teacher in three Chicago schools and was a Program Coordinator for a Chicago social service agency that serves teen mothers. She also volunteered at First Defense Legal Aid, an organization that provides legal representation and advice to individuals taken into police custody. There, she interviewed clients, documented circumstances of arrest, negotiated for clients’ release and facilitated communication with family; and

WHEREAS, as a Williams Fellow throughout law school, she re-developed volunteer teaching program at the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center. She researched Law Related Education (LRE) programs nation-wide, attended national LRE conferences, assessed residents’ needs, developed and co-authored LRE curricula, recruited volunteers, developed and conducted training sessions, implemented program each semester for over 60 student and other professional volunteers and evaluated program’s effectiveness; and

WHEREAS, in the summer of 1996, she worked as an extern for the Honorable George M. Marovich, assisting clerks in the drafting of opinions, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Jessica joined the Cook County Public Defender’s Office as an assistant public defender in December 1998. Jessica worked in the First Municipal, Juvenile Justice, Felony, and Civil Divisions, becoming an Attorney Supervisor in Civil in 2008. As an Attorney Supervisor, she aided in the development of the new Child Protection Conflict Unit. In March 2013, she was promoted to Chief of Civil where she and her staff represented the needs of indigent individuals in the Child Protection and Mental Health divisions of the Circuit Court of Cook County; and

WHEREAS, in 2008, Jessica worked as a consultant to the Juvenile Justice Initiative (JJI) where she aided in the development and presentation of JJI’s vision for a model after-care program for Illinois youth exiting the juvenile prison system. She researched and visited nationally recognized after-care programs, coordinated with Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice and the MacArthur Foundation funded Models for Change program and provided support for JJI’s legislative advocacy; and

WHEREAS, Jessica was a formidable advocate and vocal champion for children and families in need of representation, especially the most vulnerable. Her leadership, compassion, and dedication to ensuring equity and justice for those she served were inspiring to everyone fortunate enough to know her; and

WHEREAS, one of Jessica’s proudest moments was in June 2017, when she graduated from the University of Chicago’s Civic Leadership Academy. In addition to being a proud member of the Civic Leadership Academy (’17), she served on the American Bar Association’s National Alliance for Parent Representation Steering Committee, and Illinois Department of Children and Family Service’s Cook County Transformation Team; and

WHEREAS, Jessica was the youngest of seven children. Her caring, genuine spirit and outgoing personality were evident from a young age. A friend proudly boasts that Jess was the ONLY female member of the Fairfield Flyers, the toughest street “gang” of 7 and 8 year-olds from California to Western and 103rd to 107th. She shot hoops with the boys in the backyards and soon they were cheering her on, at the courts of Fisher Elementary and St. Ignatius College Prep; and

WHEREAS, Jessica had a close relationship with her brothers and sisters and greatly admired both of her parents. She was fortunate to be able to accompany her father, George, on a road trip to Branson, Missouri, where he was honored for his accomplishments as a US Army surgeon in Vietnam. Her mother, Cice, was her dear friend and confidante. They would frequently attend the Goodman, or matinee movies, or just enjoy an afternoon of shopping; and

WHEREAS, Jessica’s eleven years of Jesuit education, combined with her altruistic morals, naturally led her to a career path as a woman for others. She was committed to giving a voice to people who weren’t heard, but deserved to be heard. She believed that everybody had the right to feel valued, and safe, and loved; and

WHEREAS, Jessica was loved and respected by a host of family, friends, and colleagues who appreciated her remarkable and steady kindness and grace, her hearty laugh, and her quiet but indomitable inner strength. Her passionate celebration of life, positive spirit, and vibrant outlook left a lasting impression on all; and

WHEREAS, she is survived by parents Cicely Bryar and George Bryar; siblings Sharon (Bob) Eichinger, Julie (Tom) Smith, Liz (Terry) Raser, Paul (Jen), Colin (Sarah) and Kevin (Denise) Bryar. She was “Fancy Aunt Jess” to 16 nieces and nephews.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners of Cook County, on behalf of the 5.2 million residents of Cook County takes great pleasure in honoring and celebrating Jessica Bryar’s life and her many contributions bettering the lives of the citizens of Cook County, Illinois;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this Resolution be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body and that an official copy of the same be tendered to the family of Jessica Bryar.

https://www.cookcountyil.gov/calendar-node-field-date/day/2019-03-20