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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
IN MEMORIAM OF FORMER SCHAUMBURG MAYOR AL LARSON
WHEREAS, Former Schaumburg Mayor Al Larson served as a visionary leader who guided the community for more than four decades as it grew into the second largest economic hub in Illinois; and
WHEREAS, Larson got his start in public service when he wrote a letter to complain about snowplowing during his young family's first winter in the Village in 1969-70, which elicited a call from then-Schaumburg Mayor Bob Atcher, prompting Larson to understand the impact he could have on his community; and
WHEREAS, Larson soon after became a member of Atcher's Schaumburg United Party, the Schaumburg Jaycees, and the Schaumburg Environmental Committee, and was also appointed the Village's public relations director; and
WHEREAS, he was then elected as Trustee in 1975 where he served three terms until 1987; and
WHEREAS, Larson eventually evolved into an independent voice on the Village Board after losing a re-nomination bid in 1983, when he then ran as an independent and became the first independent elected to the Village Board; and
WHEREAS, as part of his early initiatives as trustee, Larson helped champion funding for street lighting all across the Village through the use of simple $3 vehicle sticker fees; and
WHEREAS, when former Mayor Herb Aigner announced he would not seek reelection in 1987, Larson ran against the local party candidate and won decisively; and
WHEREAS, Larson then went on to serve as Mayor for an astounding 32 years over the course of eight terms; and
WHEREAS, in his time as Mayor, Larson championed support for many of the big projects that Schaumburg is known for including a publicly owned baseball stadium - now known as Wintrust Field, the convention center, and the Village’s purchase of the Schaumburg Airport to prevent it from being turned into an industrial park; and
WHEREAS, Larson worked to use his influence for the betterment of Schaumburg through maintaining strong relationships with other local governments, including the Schaumburg Park District and Schaumburg Township District Library, to ensure the entire community was working toward shared goals; and
WHEREAS, Larson also was an ardent supporter of the arts and cultural events in town, a commitment that was acknowledged in 2017, when the Village’s Prairie Center for the Arts was renamed in his honor, a recognition that visibly moved the longtime mayor; and
WHEREAS, cooperation and teamwork were hallmarks of his governing style, and Larson became known for his unique combination of personality, experience, dedication to a vision, and adoration for the Village of Schaumburg; and
WHEREAS, Larson sadly passed away on March 19, 2024, at the age of 85;
WHEREAS, Larson is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Nancy, their five children Michael, Catherine, Elizabeth, David and Jennifer, his 12 grandchildren, and his sister, Lorna; and
WHEREAS, Al Larson was a centerpiece of Schaumburg’s development and history, and as such his legacy should be memorialized and remembered;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners of Cook County does hereby offer its deepest condolences and most heartfelt sympathies to the family and many friends of Al Larson and joins them in sorrow at this time of loss; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this text be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body, and suitable copies be tendered to the family of Al Larson, so that his memory may be so honored and ever cherished.
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