December 15, 2017
On December 7, 2017, the Motorola Solutions Foundation and the Civic Federation honored the outstanding public service of Arnold Randall, General Superintendent of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County. The annual Motorola Solutions Foundation Excellence in Public Service Award recognizes a non-elected government official who has had an extraordinary impact on the quality of state and local government services in Illinois.
Business, civic and government leaders from across the State of Illinois and Chicago region attended the awards breakfast at the Palmer House Hilton Grand Ballroom to recognize Mr. Randall’s outstanding public service accomplishments.
Following brief remarks from Civic Federation President Laurence Msall and Chairman Kent Swanson, Illinois Senator Heather Steans gave the salutation address highlighting the importance of public service in Illinois. Manuel Cuevas Trisan, Corporate Vice President for Motorola Solutions, introduced Mr. Randall, discussed his many civic accomplishments and presented the award. The presentation included a video tribute from local government officials and civic leaders.
2017 Motorola Solutions Foundation Excellence in Public Service Award from Civic Federation on Vimeo.
In his acceptance speech, Mr. Randall discussed the importance of vibrant outdoor spaces in an urban area and his passion for the mission of the District, which works to defend and restore those spaces. He also thanked members of his staff, Board President Toni Preckwinkle and the Board of Commissioners without whom, he said, the Forest Preserves’ recent strides would not have been possible.
The 2017 Excellence in Public Service Award was an original print from the 1893 World’s Fair, an event that was championed by the founders of the Civic Federation.