Friends of the Parks

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Chicago Cultural Center • G.A.R. Hall • 77 E. Randolph • Chicago, lllinois
$35 for FOTP members • $40 for non-members • $100 Patron Sponsor*

Keynote speaker Gery Chico
	Gery J. Chico is the newly elected President of the Chicago Park District Board. Gery J. Chico previously served as the President of the Chicago Board of Education where he devoted years to children and youth of Chicago by working to improve schools and educational opportunities. He has practiced law and represented leading companies in Chicago and the nation over the past 20 years in the areas of real estate, government regulation and business counseling. He has a unique understanding of both the public and private sectors given his strong background in public service, law and business.

Keynote speaker Gery Chico

Gery J. Chico is the newly elected President of the Chicago Park District Board. Gery J. Chico previously served as the President of the Chicago Board of Education where he devoted years to children and youth of Chicago by working to improve schools and educational opportunities. He has practiced law and represented leading companies in Chicago and the nation over the past 20 years in the areas of real estate, government regulation and business counseling. He has a unique understanding of both the public and private sectors given his strong background in public service, law and business.

Friends of the Parks celebrates individuals and organizations that have most significantly contributed to the improvement of Chicago's parks and forest preserves in 2007.

Jean Carter-Hill Individual Award For her work to create community gardens in the Englewood neighborhood	O’Hallaren Park Advisory Council Park Advisory Council Award For their tireless activism and advocacy to improve O’Hallaren Park
The Wooded Island Working Group Advocacy Award For their work to create a restoration plan that benefits both birds and native plants for the Jackson Park Wooded Island	Northwestern University Community Service Award For their outstanding commitment to community service and for completing nine volunteer work days in parks and preserves
Northern Trust Corporate Award For their outstanding community service work in Brainerd Park and for providing a public pocket park in the Loop	Representative Marlow Colvin Legislative Award For securing $3.4 million to construct a new fieldhouse in Jesse Owens Park
44th Ward Park Advisory Council and Alderman Tom Tunney Park Advisory Council Award For their work to complete a comprehensive 44th Ward Park Plan	Steve Bylina Legislative Award For improving the management and operation of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County
Marian Byrnes The Leon Despres Lifetime Commitment to Parks Award For her lifelong environmental commitment and dedication to parks and preserves