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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
RESOLUTION HONORING SHAWN JEFFERS FOR HIS SERVICE AT LITTLE CITY FOUNDATION
WHEREAS, after achieving 30 years of high-level experience in human services and non-profit management, Shawn E. Jeffers became the Executive Director of Little City Foundation in March 2003; and
WHEREAS, Shawn received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Aurora University in 1975 and his Master of Public Administration from Northern Illinois University in 1982; and
WHEREAS, selected for his outstanding ability to provide high-quality leadership and strategic direction, Mr. Jeffers tirelessly champions to attain equality and dignity for children and adults with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities; and
WHEREAS, he leads a volunteer board comprised of 40 of Chicago’s finest public and private sector leaders and paves the path for over 500 staff in providing groundbreaking, innovative service to hundreds of Illinois’ citizens with disabilities (in Palatine and throughout the Chicagoland region). Mr. Jeffers also manages the over 60-year-old, non-profit service provider agency’s nearly $45 million operating budget; and
WHEREAS, a humanitarian in his own right, Mr. Jeffers has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Hope School in Springfield, Associate Director for the Illinois Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities, the Director of the Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center, the Assistant Director of the Chester Mental Health Center, the Unit Director of the Ludeman Developmental Center, the Diagnostic Team Supervisor for the Illinois Youth Center in St. Charles, and a Program Coordinator and Counselor for the Illinois Youth Center; and
WHEREAS, with a public and human service career spanning nearly 50 years, Shawn has held many significant executive leadership positions in both the governmental and nonprofit sector. He is widely known as a strong and passionate advocate for the rights of individuals with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. He currently or has served on numerous government, academic, and community advisory groups and boards as a member and/or officer. For over the past 15 years Shawn has served as an adjunct instructor at NIU-Dekalb., MPA Program teaching management and leadership courses focused on nonprofit organizations; and
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Cook County Board of Commissioners do hereby honor Shawn E. Jeffers of Little City Foundation upon the occasion of his retirement for his service to the children and adults with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities and all residents of Cook County; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Mr. Jeffers.
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