RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Kathryn O'Connell has served the City of Chicago as a dedicated leader and public servant for the past ten years; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed Body has been informed of Kathryn O'Connell's contributions to the City of Chicago by Mayor Rahm Emanuel; and
WHEREAS, Kathryn O'Connell resides in the City of Chicago with her husband, Jim, and their two children, Danny and Kelsey, balancing her number-one job as a mother with her unwavering work ethic for the City; and
WHEREAS, She has an enduring devotion to Chicago sports, exemplified by her loyal dedication to the Chicago Blackhawks and Marian Hossa; and
WHEREAS, Kathryn O'Connell has served the City of Chicago under both Mayor Richard M. Daley and Mayor Rahm Emanuel; and
WHEREAS, In her ten years with the City, she has served as the Scheduler to the Mayor, Assistant to the Mayor for Public Policy, and Assistant to the Mayor and Director of the Mayoral Fellowship Program; and
WHEREAS, Kathryn O'Connell has inspired Chicago Mayoral Fellows as a fierce advocate for the importance of municipal government for the past six years; and
WHEREAS, Her work has touched nearly 200 students coming from all over the Country, each of whom benefited from her dedication to public service and positive social change, and her mentorship, both during and after the fellowship; and
WHEREAS, Kathryn O'Connell challenges Mayoral Fellows to remember the people affected when crafting policy, encourages them to understand the diversity of need within our communities, and empowers them to think creatively towards solving the toughest issues in Chicago; and
WHEREAS, From her years of experience, Kathryn O'Connell provides insight and knowledge to Mayoral Fellows, culminating in the annual New Ideas Forum, where Fellows present innovative ideas to Mayoral staff that will propel the City of Chicago into a better future; and
WHEREAS, The Mayoral Fellowship Program continues to thrive as the top public service fellowship in the Nation; and
WHEREAS, Kathryn O'Connell is known for her commitment to public service, passion for public policy, and energetic personality; and
WHEREAS, Kathryn O'Connell's love and dedication to the City of Chicago and its residents shine through daily as she inspires everyone who works with her, and shapes the next generation of public servants in Chicago and beyond; and
WHEREAS, She always leads by example, with public service planted firmly as her core mission for remaining committed to her work, the City, and the Fellows forever grateful for her guidance; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, gathered here this fourteenth day of September, 2016, do hereby celebrate and extend our heartiest thanks to Kathryn O'Connell for her ten years of service and dedication to the City and its residents, and we wish her all the best in her future endeavors; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to Kathryn O'Connell as a token of our esteem and respect.