RESOLUTION FOR BOARD MEETING OF OCTOBER 20, 2022
Title
RESOLUTION sponsored by the Board of Commissioners expressing gratitude to Patrick M. Blanchard
Body
WHEREAS, inspired by his father, Patrick M. Blanchard grew up with a deep-rooted respect for the law. After receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree from Loyola University Chicago in 1986, he became a certified paralegal, and then earned his Juris Doctor from John Marshall Law School (now known as the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law) in 1990; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Blanchard began his legal career as a paralegal working with a Chicago law firm and, following graduation from law school, continued to work with this firm as an associate attorney specializing in municipal law and subrogation; and
WHEREAS, in March of 1993, Mr. Blanchard was hired by the Cook County State’s Attorney. While working as an Assistant State’s Attorney, he served in numerous divisions including the Federal Civil Rights Section, Civil Actions Bureau, Labor and Employment Section, Medical Litigation Section, and the Special Litigation Division, where he was a Division Chief. Mr. Blanchard remained with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office for fifteen years; and
WHEREAS, in October of 2008, after participating in an extensive selection process, Mr. Blanchard was appointed by the Cook County Board of Commissioners to serve as the first Independent Inspector General for Cook County. He was reappointed to serve a second term in October of 2014, and in September of 2020, he was again reappointed, this time to a special two-year term; and
WHEREAS, after conducting extensive research, in May of 2019, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (“District”) entered into an Intergovernmental Agreement with Cook County allowing Mr. Blanchard to also serve as the first Independent Inspector General for the District. Mr. Blanchard served the District for over three years; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Blanchard is a Certified Inspector General of the National Association of Inspector Generals. Additionally, he has served in various roles over the years, including: a Panel Chair of the Hearing Board of the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (“ARDC”); a member of the Hearing Board of the ARDC; an Adjunct Professor of the Illinois Institute of Technology; the President of the Association of Inspectors General, Illinois Chapter; and on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Inspectors General; and
WHEREAS, during his tenure as an Independent Inspector General, Mr. Blanchard has worked tirelessly to serve the citizens of Cook County promoting integrity, efficiency, accountability, and transparency. Therefore, it is with gratitude that we express our appreciation for his service and commitment; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, on behalf of ourselves and our staff, do hereby express gratitude to Patrick M. Blanchard; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution be spread upon the permanent Record of Proceedings of the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago and that a copy of same, suitably engrossed, be presented to Patrick M. Blanchard.
Dated: October 20, 2022