HR1006 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1006 LRB100 21658 ALS 38926 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Carol Gieske for being named the 2018 Woman of the Year by the Altrusa International Club of Elgin, Inc.; and

WHEREAS, Carol Gieske is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) and has dedicated her career to Elgin; for over 20 years, she provided strong, innovative, and collaborative leadership to the United Way of Elgin; she served as president for 15 years; while in that role, and with a team of extraordinary staff and volunteers, she successfully raised more than $44 million dollars to assist those in need through the Elgin social service network; and

WHEREAS, Carol Gieske served as President of the Provena Saint Joseph Hospital Foundation (now Presence) and successfully raised funds for the hospital's first capital campaign in more than 40 years, which resulted in the new state-of-the art Bob and Edna Meadows Cancer Care Center and the new heart center; the hospital raised more than $11 million to accomplish this goal; both centers have made a difference in the healthcare needs of the community; and

WHEREAS, In her current position as President of the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce, Carol Gieske works closely with the City of Elgin staff, connects with Elgin City Council members, and serves with prestigious Chamber board members who represent important community businesses, including Motorola, IHC, Lamp Incorporated, Shales McNutt, AT&T, the Village of South Elgin, Grand Victoria Casino, Elgin Community College, Gail Borden Library, S.D. District U46, Advocate Sherman Hospital, Presence Saint Joseph Hospital, and various financial institutions and manufacturing firms; she collaborates, promotes, and assists the majority of entrepreneurs who are Chamber members; she continually recognizes members for their achievements, through the annual "high five" awards, volunteer luncheons, and business referral networks; and

WHEREAS, Through the Chamber, Carol Gieske is actively involved in the Small Business Academy, the CEO Unplugged series, and a multitude of ribbon cuttings, business after hours, and economic development meetings and functions; under her leadership, the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce was named among the top three percent of all Chambers nationwide and also acquired the United States Chamber Accreditation; and

WHEREAS, Carol Gieske is an ethical, hard-working, organized, and supportive leader; she has always volunteered for other organizations in the greater Elgin community; she was the first female member inducted into the Elgin Noon Rotary Club, where she also served as President; she chairs the Elgin Advisory Board to the VNA Health Care; she has been an integral part of the award-winning Elgin Area Leadership Academy since its inception and is also a graduate of EALA and remains on its steering committee; she is on the boards of the Alignment Collaborative for Education, the City of Elgin Parks and Recreation Foundation, the Elgin Community College Foundation, the Fox West Philanthropy Network, the Illinois Comptroller's Women's Advisory Board, and Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth's Advisory Committee on Small Business; she is also a member of the women's professional organization, WIM Fox Valley; and

WHEREAS, Carol Gieske has given back to her community generously through her leadership, volunteer commitments, and professional collaborations; she has maintained ethical practices and is known as a role model for everyone in business; she and her husband, Patrick, have two sons; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Carol Gieske on being named the 2018 Woman of the Year, and we commend her for her contributions to her community and the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Carol Gieske as an expression of our esteem and respect.