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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
PROSPECT HEIGHTS MAYOR NICHOLAS HELMER, IN MEMORIAM
WHEREAS, Almighty God in His infinite wisdom called Prospect Heights’ Mayor Nicholas Helmer from our midst on January 26, 2022, at the age of 79; and
WHEREAS, Mayor Helmer was born in Yugoslavia to parents Fabian and Anna Helmer; and
WHEREAS, Mayor Helmer immigrated to America at age 10, knowing no English; and
WHEREAS, Mayor Helmer graduated from Loyola University’s Mundelein College; and
WHEREAS, Mayor Helmer married his high school sweetheart Gail Ann, to whom he was married for 57 years; and
WHEREAS, Mayor Helmer was the loving father of Nick Helmer Jr. (Megan Feeney) and Rebecca (Anthony) Jacob and the doting grandfather of Kelly Ann Helmer, Kathryn Elizabeth Helmer, Nicholas Jacob, and Jillian Jacob; and
WHEREAS, Mayor Helmer served as a newspaper reporter, photographer, and radio broadcaster for the United States Army in France, as well as transport coordinator for supplies, personnel, and machinery during France’s de-occupation; and
WHEREAS, passionate about aircraft, Mayor Helmer flew single-engine airplanes out of Chicago Executive Airport for 35 years, and served on the Board of Directors for 14 years; and
WHEREAS, Mayor Helmer believed strongly in giving back, serving as a member of the St. Viator High School basketball coaching staff for over 25 years; and
WHEREAS, Mayor Helmer worked in upper management at Oak Brook-based Inland Real Estate Group for over 50 years; and
WHEREAS, at the time of his passing Mayor Helmer was in third term as mayor of Prospect Heights; and
WHEREAS, Mayor Helmer won his first term as mayor in 2011, which was followed by an unopposed election in 2015; and
WHEREAS, Mayor Helmer was most recently reelected in 2019; and
WHEREAS, Mayor Helmer was best known for being immensely proud of Prospect Heights, often called the city’s biggest cheerleader; and
WHEREAS, Mayor Helmer was a business-friendly, people person politician who truly loved being mayor; and
WHEREAS, Mayor Helmer’s passing leaves a noticeable mark on the community he loved so dearly; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Commissioners of Cook County that the Board does hereby offer its deepest condolences and most heartfelt sympathy to the family of Mayor Nicholas Helmer; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this text be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body, and a suitable copy of the same be tendered to the family of Mayor Nicholas Helmer so his memory may be so honored and ever cherished.end