RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, It is with great sadness that members of this Chamber learned of the death of Garrett FitzGerald, on May 9, 2015, at the age of thirty-nine; and
WHEREAS, The City Council has been informed of his passing by Amcya Pawar, Alderman ofthe 47th Ward; and
WHEREAS, Born on August 26, 1976, Garrett was the beloved husband of Alicia; loving father of Bridget, and was admired and appreciated by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. Garrett leaves a legacy of leadership, dignity, and friendship; and
WHEREAS, Garrett was the Executive Director of the Northcenter Chamber of Commerce since 2006 and the Chief Executive Officer ofthe Northwest Community Corporation, and was a leader in promoting the economic development and vitality of the North Center neighborhood; and
WHEREAS, under Garrett's leadership the membership of the Northcenter Chamber of Commerce grew from 23 members to nearly 400. Garrett was also the driving force behind expanding the chamber's programming such as concert series, movies in the square and leading Ribfest to be one of Chicago's most successful summer festivals; and
WHEREAS, Garrett served on the Illinois Civil Service Commission as a Commissioner and as Chairman since 2011; and
WHEREAS, Garrett served admirably as a member of the staff for former 47th Ward Alderman Eugene Schulter and Cook County Commissioner Forrest Claypool; and
WHEREAS, Garrett was an active volunteer in the community. Serving as the past Treasurer and Chairman ofthe Board at Neumann Family Services, a member of the St. Benedict School Board of Directors, an elected member of the Bell School Local Advisory Council, and the 4th Congressional District Representative on the Citizens' Utility Board; and
WHEREAS, since being diagnosed with brain cancer in 2013, Garrett fought bravely and admirably against the disease and served as an inspiration to many; and
WHEREAS, the entire 47th Ward, and particularly the North Center community, will dearly miss and fondly remember Garrett's countless contributions to the community; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members of the Chicago City Council, assembled this twentieth day of May, 2015, do hereby express our gratitude and appreciation to the late Garrett FitzGerald for his leadership and dedication to improving the Northcenter neighborhood and the 47th Ward as a whole and do hereby extend our condolences to his family; and