RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Edward S. Weil Jr., a widely admired Chicago area civic leader, will receive the inaugural Adler and Sullivan Award in honor of his lasting contributions to the Auditorium Theatre and the arts on Sunday, November 6, 2016; and
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of this event by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and
WHEREAS, A resident of Winnetka, Edward S. Weil Jr. is the great-grandson of famed Chicago architect Dankmar Adler who with his legendary partner, Louis Sullivan, founded the firm of Adler 85 Sullivan; and
WHEREAS, In 1889 the architectural firm unveiled the Auditorium Building to national acclaim with Dankmar Adler engineering its structural and acoustic innovations and Louis Sullivan shaping its artistic and ornamental brilliance; and
WHEREAS, Adler and Sullivan pushed the limits of modern architecture to make the Auditorium the tallest building in Chicago, the first multi-use building ever designed and the most massive modern edifice in the world for its time; and
WHEREAS, The Auditorium Theater is a national historic landmark which remains internationally recognized for its acoustics, innovative architecture and stunning design; and
WHEREAS, Edward S. Weil Jr. is currently the longest-serving board member of the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University as well as past Chair and Vice-Chair of the Auditorium Theatre Council Board and past Chairman of the Auditorium Theater Facilities Committee; and
WHEREAS, During the 1980s, when Edward S. Weil Jr. was the Chief Operating Officer of Power Conversion Products LLC, he was recruited to join the leadership of the Council; and
WHEREAS, The philanthropy of Edward S. Weil Jr. includes major donations which have funded the upkeep and refurbishment of' the Auditorium Theater; and
WHEREAS, Edward S. Weil Jr. and his fellow stewards have helped to navigate the Theatre through its many evolutions; and
WHEREAS, Beginning in 1989, Edward S. Weil Jr. played a major role in ushering in the Auditorium Theatre's Broadway era with longstanding runs like "Les Miserables, "Phantom of the Opera," "Miss Saigon" and "Showboat"; and
WHEREAS, Edward S. Weil Jr. continues to play a fundamental role in its multi-faceted success of the venue for world-class dance companies, citywide music festivals and community and educational programming; and
WHEREAS, The stewardship, vision and dedication of Edward S. Weil Jr. serve as an example to all; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council, assembled this first day of November, 2016, do hereby congratulate Edward S. Weil Jr. on receiving this prestigious honor and do hereby declare that November 6, 2016, shall be recognized as Edward S. Weil Jr. Day throughout the City of Chicago; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Edward S. Weil Jr.
Alderman - 14th Ward