(CHICAGO) The Civic Federation will honor the civic achievements of an exceptional Chicagoan, John A. Buck, and an extraordinary corporate citizen, Walgreens, at the organization’s annual Civic Awards Luncheon on Thursday, June 16, 2011.
John A. Buck, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and founder of The John Buck Company, a commercial real estate firm, will receive the prestigious Lyman J. Gage Award for Outstanding Civic Contribution by an Individual. The award, which was first given to Alan Greenspan in 1982, honors a Chicagoan who has demonstrated a singular commitment to civic and community concerns.
“The Civic Federation Board of Directors is pleased to have the opportunity to honor a man who has not only helped transform the skyline of Chicago, but also has a decades-long commitment to expanding educational opportunity for Chicago’s young people,” said Laurence Msall, president of the Civic Federation. “John Buck’s investments in Chicago’s physical and human capital will yield dividends for many decades to come.”
In addition to his position as senior executive of the real estate industry in Chicago, Mr. Buck is the past Chairman of the San Miguel Schools Board of Directors and sits on the Boards of the Metropolitan Planning Council, the Big Shoulders Fund and the Lyric Opera, among many other interests. In addition, The John Buck Company Foundation has raised millions of dollars for programs that benefit education and other youth services for “at-risk” children and their families.
Gregory D. Wasson, President and Chief Executive Officer, will accept the Addams-Palmer Award for Exemplary Civic Involvement on behalf of Walgreens, the nation’s largest drugstore chain. The Addams-Palmer Award is named for two of the founders of the Civic Federation, Jane Addams and Bertha Honoré Palmer, and is awarded annually to a corporation that has advanced the civic well-being of the Chicago area.
“Walgreens commitment to improving access to health care across the country has brought it much deserved praise,” said Msall. “In its hometown of Chicago, Walgreens is also renowned for its hands-on initiative to help address food deserts in underserved communities, its support for critical organizations such as the American Cancer Society, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the American Heart Association and also for the stellar record of involvement by its employees in the community with organizations such as the Midtown Educational Foundation.”
Both awards will be presented at a luncheon at the Hilton Chicago Grand Ballroom that will be attended by Chicago’s civic and business leaders. Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle will give the Salutation Address. Tickets for this year’s event and reception may be obtained by visiting civicfed.org/events, by contacting PJH & Associates at 312.553.2000 or by visiting pjhchicago.com/civicfederation.
The Civic Federation would like to thank luncheon co-chairs Lester Crown, W. James Farrell, Patricia Hemingway Hall and Andrew J. McKenna for their phenomenal leadership of this event.
The Civic Federation is an independent, non-partisan government research organization founded in 1894. The Federation’s membership includes business and professional leaders from a wide range of Chicago area corporations, professional service firms, and institutions.