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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF BUILDING ARCHITECT JAMES HAVLAT
WHEREAS, James Havlat will retire from public service to the Forest Preserves of Cook County on December 28, 2023, after a 38-year career, and for the past 32 years, Mr. Havlat was only the second head building architect employed by the Forest Preserves since 1962, succeeding Edward P. Koster, who served in this prestigious Forest Preserves’ position from 1962 to 1990; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Havlat graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a Bachelor of Science degree in Architectural Studies, and the University of Texas at Austin with a Master of Architecture degree in 1985, and began his employment with the Forest Preserves in 1991; and
WHEREAS, during his 32 years of service to the Forest Preserves, Mr. Havlat managed the building architecture section of the Forest Preserves’ Department of Planning & Development and was responsible for the planning, design and oversight of the construction or renovation of hundreds of buildings and shelters throughout the Preserves; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Havlat oversaw many significant public building programs for the Forest Preserves under several major capital funding initiatives, including the Illinois First program in 2005 and SB 83 program in 2007-2008 and Forest Preserve general obligation bonds issued in 2012; and
WHEREAS, significant public building projects completed during Mr. Havlat’s tenure include the Forest Preserves’ first green LEED-certified buildings, a new Little Red Schoolhouse, new Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, historic cabins at Sand Ridge Nature Center, renovation of historically significant pavilions at Dan Ryan Woods and Thatcher Woods, conversion of the Forest Preserves’ General Headquarters to all-electric heating and cooling systems, and many other building and picnic shelter improvement projects; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Havlat was a member of various interdepartmental Forest Preserves’ committees relating to green buildings, dark skies, and sustainability, and was the project lead for the Forest Preserves’ 2023 Clean Energy Action Plan for Buildings to guide the Forest Preserves to a more resilient and sustainable future for decades to come; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Havlat was responsible for building inspections and record keeping for Forest Preserves’ buildings, maintaining standards and procedures for building improvement construction contracts, and serving as an unofficial archivist of historical documents collected over the course of his service; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Havlat is a devoted husband and father of two adult children and a new granddaughter who enjoys spending time traveling to visit family and friends, exploring new cultures, and is looking forward to spending time outdoors at his new residence in Tucson, Arizona.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that President Toni Preckwinkle, along with the Forest Preserves of Cook County Board of Commissioners, General Superintendent, Arnold L. Randall, and on behalf of all citizens of Cook County, do hereby extend thanks to James Havlat for his dedication, leadership and outstanding service and wish him continued success in all his future endeavors; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this resolution be tendered to James Havlat in recognition of his significant contributions to the Forest Preserves of Cook County.end