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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING ROBERT FINKE FOR HIS SERVICE TO THE CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN AND COOK COUNTY
WHEREAS, Robert F. (Bob) Finke completed nearly ten years of service as Chair of the Chicago Horticultural Society and Chicago Botanic Garden Board of Directors on December 31, 2021; and
WHEREAS, in his role as Chair, Bob galvanized the Board to commit to continued growth, stewardship, and quality, thereby supporting significant undertakings such as the completion of the North Lake restoration in 2012; the creation of Kleinman Cove and the Grunsfeld Growing Garden in 2012; Windy City Harvest’s opening of Legends South Farm and the McCormick rooftop garden in 2013; the completion of the North Branch Trail in 2014; the creation of the Regenstein Learning Campus in 2016; the creation of the Kris Jarantoski campus and its new greenhouses, which were ultimately named in Bob’s honor, in 2018; and the creation of the Shida Shade Evaluation Garden in 2021; and
WHEREAS, Bob’s leadership of the Garden brought tremendous growth and achieved numerous milestones that will benefit the Garden for years to come. Through challenging economic times and capital campaigns, Bob’s gracious style, warmth, and love of the Garden enabled him to forge meaningful relationships with individuals and families who are among the Garden’s largest donors. He led multiple capital and endowment campaigns, securing gifts that were years in the making, thereby ensuring the Garden’s future; and
WHEREAS, Bob championed a broad role for the Garden that extended across the region, and this commitment is manifest in the growth of Windy City Harvest, the dedication of the Farm on Ogden; and the initiation of the Veteran Horticultural Therapy partnership with Thresholds; and
WHEREAS, Bob has expressed his love for the Garden through frequent visits, service on most of its committees, personal philanthropy, board leadership, and introducing friends to the Garden’s great beauty and significant programmatic activities, thereby clearly demonstrating his understanding that people live better, healthier lives when they can create, care for, and enjoy gardens and green space; that beautiful gardens and natural environments are fundamentally important to the mental and physical well-being of all people; and that the future of life on Earth depends on how well we understand, value, and protect plants, other wildlife, and the natural habitats that sustain our world; and
WHEREAS, Bob’s kindness, insights, friendship, and delight in natural spaces has endeared him to the Board, staff, members, benefactors, volunteers, and so many others. He is a trusted colleague to Board members and valued mentor to executive staff leadership. Through his actions, Bob shows how truly dedicated he is to the Garden and its employees at all levels; and
WHEREAS, Bob deeply valued the Garden’s relationship with the Forest Preserves of Cook County and sought to support it by whatever means possible; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, on behalf of the 5.2 million residents of Cook County, honors the work and contributions of Robert F. Finke, and herewith expresses its sincere gratitude for the invaluable contributions he made to the Citizens of Cook County, Illinois; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body and that an official copy of same be tendered to Robert F. Finke.
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