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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
COMMEMORATING THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE OF THE HONORABLE DONALD PERILLE
WHEREAS, Don Perille, longtime Skokie Village Trustee and Plan Commission Chairman whose vision and wisdom helped shape the Village of Skokie died on September 12, 2016 at the age of 88 leaving behind family, countless friends and a community profoundly enriched for having known him; and
WHEREAS, Don Perille served as chairman of the Skokie Plan Commission during some of the most turbulent times in the history of the Commission and in the village of Skokie. With him at the helm guiding the process, Skokie transitioned from being a farming community into the modern, economically thriving, multicultural municipality it is today. His term was notable as much as for its impact on the community as for its length; he joined the Plan Commission as a young man in his 30s and remained in Skokie government for over half a century. In all, Perille spent the first 28 years on the Plan Commission, 25 of them as chairman, and the last 24 years as a village trustee; and
WHEREAS, as Plan Commission Chairman, Don Perille came up with a new way to measure the height of a building, a pyramid zoning formula that became widely known as "the Perille concept." This concept resulted in the charming and often imitated nature of the present day Old Orchard Mall. In his later years on the Village Board, he chaired the Landlord Tenant Advisory Committee and is credited with bringing together people with very polarized views about regulating rental housing in Skokie; and
WHEREAS, Don Perille represented the highest qualities of public service, citizenship and humanity through his decades of work on behalf of all of the people of Skokie. He will long be remembered for reinvigorating Westfield Old Orchard, crafting the village's comprehensive flood control program, the relocation of the Illinois Holocaust Museum from its cramped storefront home into its verdant location near the Forest Preserve and for his ardent passion for supporting and celebrating multiculturalism in Skokie. Skokie is presently a village which has a depth of diversity rivaled by few on the planet. With his support, Skokie has become a village of many voices; a community where over 50 languages are regularly spoken and where diverse cultures are respected and celebrated. He was instrumental in establishing the Skokie Festival of Cultures, which has grown exponentially over the years and currently celebrates over three dozen cultures, welcomes 30,000 visitors annually and has been honored with numerous state and national art event programming awards; and
WHEREAS, Don Perille served his country during the war in Korea which interrupted his college career at the University of Illinois. In Korea, he ran the Purchase & Contracting Office for all Air Force construction in Korea and sponsored and cared for a young Korean orphan, named Skoshi; and
WHEREAS, throughout his long and amazing life Don Perille was intellectually curious and regularly embraced new concepts and new adventures. He was a longtime admirer and supporter of the arts. He recognized the vital role that the arts play in civic life and was a subscriber to no less than five theater series across the Chicagoland area; and
WHEREAS, aside from his work serving the citizens of his beloved community Don Perille had two careers, his longest was in the valve industry where he worked for several companies as sales manager, marketing manager or vice president. He later took a job as purchasing agent for the Cook County Circuit Court for the next fifteen years before he retired; and
WHEREAS, Don Perille’s was a singular presence in the city of Skokie; he was honored by the Village for his 50 years of political, civic, and philanthropic service in 2011 and was regularly sought out for his wisdom and expertise. He was described by Skokie Mayor George Van Dusen as "an undisputed expert in land use”; and
WHEREAS, Don Perille was well known for his tireless commitment to his community. He served on the board of Rush North Shore Hospital and later the North Suburban Healthcare Foundation. Don exemplified the values contained in the commandment to love thy neighbor as thyself and he will be particularly missed by those at his beloved Saint Peter Parish; and
WHEREAS, the Community has lost a great friend in Don Perille. He will be sorely missed by his friends, neighbors and colleagues. His loss will be felt most acutely by his children Christopher (Christine) Perille, Lisa (Paul) Sabourin, Amy Perille-Ball (Kevin Ball), Steve (Tamara) Perille, Laura Perille (John Riordan), and Gina Perille; grandchildren Matt (Lisa Nickele), Karen, Emilie, Daniel, Coleman, Grace, Katherine, Teresa, Jackson, and Garrett; great-grandchild Ella; brother P. James Perille; and cherished companion Pat Reis. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 50 years, Toni; his parents, Peter and Amanda Perille; and his sister, Evelyn Herold; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners of Cook County, on behalf of the 5.2 million residents of Cook County commemorates the extraordinary life of Donald Perille, and herewith expresses its sincere gratitude for the invaluable contributions he has made to the Citizens of Cook County, Illinois; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this Resolution be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body and that an official copy of the same be tendered to the family of Donald Perille.
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