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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF MARGIE SCHAPS TO HMPRG
WHEREAS, Margie Schaps has served as Executive Director of Health and Medicine Policy Research Group (HMPRG) since 1993 and is retiring after serving in this role for 32 years; and
WHEREAS, under Margie’s leadership, HMPRG has become a powerful voice for health justice, equity, and systems reform, as well as a known advocate for strengthening the public health workforce and defending the health care safety net; and
WHEREAS, numerous accomplishments during Margie’s tenure at HMPRG include:
• Establishing the Chicago Area Schweitzer Fellowship Program, which cultivates aspiring health and human services professional to be informed, concerned, and involved with addressing health inequities. Since 1996, over 800 Fellows have completed more than 150,000 hours of community service at 150+ community-based sites.
• Writing, rewriting, and passing legislation to establish freestanding birth centers in Illinois.
• Advancing policies that move older adults from institutional care to home and community-based supports.
• Advised Cook County Board leadership on language for the enabling ordinance that established the independent board of the Cook County Health and Hospitals System in 2008.
• Advocating, organizing, educating and mobilizing around countless public health and equity-centered policies, programs, and services, while inspiring young people, staff, board members, and community to join in collective actions to make our society more just and equitable; and
WHEREAS, Margie serves as adjunct faculty at the Northwestern University Program in Public Health, and also serves on several boards and committees including Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle’s Health Equity Fund Taskforce, the Advisory Committee to the Northwestern University Program in Public Health, the Community Advisory Committee to the UIC School of Public Health, the advisory board to the All Of Us Research Program at the Feinberg School of Medicine, and the Advisory Committee to the UIC Center for Healthy Work; and
WHEREAS, Margie holds a master’s degree in public health from the University of Illinois, and a Bachelor’s Degree from Washington University in St. Louis; and
WHEREAS, Margie is also a beloved parent to Sylvia and Noah, and partner to Jack; and
WHEREAS, Margie’s tenacity to confront challenging issues-from Medicaid cuts to COVID19 to safety-net institution closures to ongoing threats to public health-has been steadfast, and her commitment to justice and equity unwavering; and
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Cook County Board of Commissioners does hereby celebrate Margie’s decades of exemplary leadership, vision, and service to residents of Cook County and wishes her every success, happiness, and fulfillment in her retirement, knowing that her influence and legacy will endure; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this text be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body, and suitable copies be tendered to Margie Schaps in recognition of her many years of service to Health and Medicine Policy Research Group.
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