RESOLUTION FOR BOARD MEETING OF AUGUST 5, 2021
Title
RESOLUTION sponsored by the Board of Commissioners congratulating Matthew B. DeLeon on his retirement
Body
WHEREAS, on July 31, 2021, Matthew B. DeLeon retired as the Secretary to the Cook County Board of Commissioners (Cook County Board) and the Forest Preserve District of Cook County Board of Commissioners (Forest Preserve Board) after almost thirty years of service with Cook County; and
WHEREAS, born and raised in Evanston, Illinois, Mr. DeLeon attended Dawes Elementary School, Martin Luther King Junior Laboratory School (now the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Literary and Fine Arts School), and Evanston Township High School. After completing high school, he attended American University in Washington, D.C. where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science, and DePaul University College of Law where he earned his Juris Doctorate; and
WHEREAS, Mr. DeLeon’s career with Cook County began in 1993 when he was hired as an Assistant to the Chief Administrative Officer in the Bureau of Administration. In 2006, Mr. DeLeon was appointed to serve as Secretary to the Cook County Board and in this role two years later he became the first Secretary of the Health and Hospital Systems Board. In 2010, Mr. DeLeon was chosen to also serve as the Secretary to the Forest Preserve Board, making him the first person to serve as Secretary simultaneously for both government agencies; and
WHEREAS, while serving as Secretary, Mr. DeLeon spearheaded many initiatives including: livestream of all Cook County and Forest Preserve Board proceedings; video recordings of all Cook County and Forest Preserve District committee meetings; electronic registration of public speakers and comments; electronic meeting records; and electronic interactive notices posted on a touchscreen; and
WHEREAS, in 2019, in addition to serving as Secretary to both the Cook County Board and the Forest Preserve Board, Mr. DeLeon was designated to be the Cook County Historian. In this capacity he created the County Historic Archives and Records Office and co-wrote the first County Historic Archives and Records Ordinance; and
WHEREAS, aside from his commitment to government service, Mr. DeLeon is also a dedicated member of the Asian American community and has participated in several Filipino American community organizations; and
WHEREAS, despite leaving his positions as Secretary, Mr. DeLeon will continue to be employed as the Cook County Historian; 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 congratulate Matthew B. DeLeon on his retirement and acknowledge his resolute commitment to the residents of Cook County; 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 the same, suitably engrossed, be presented to Matthew B. DeLeon.
Dated: August 5, 2021